Lee Baker and Marco Derhy combine leadership, production strategy, global business development with a patent pending PARALIGHT technology to advance the franchise across multiple entertainment platforms
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.
Lee Baker and Marco Derhy have been united in partnership in the development and advancement of Stan Lee’s LEGION OF 5, working together over time to strengthen the franchise creatively, strategically, technologically and commercially and bring it to the stage of development it has reached today. Their partnership spans feature film, video games, interactive entertainment and AI assisted filmmaking through Advent Entertainment, Paralight Studios and Legion Digital Studios.
Baker and Derhy serve together as the main producers of Stan Lee’s LEGION OF 5, operating as partners across the broader development of the franchise while bringing distinct and complementary strengths to the effort. Baker also serves as screenwriter and director of the film, Founder and CEO of Advent Entertainment and PARALIGHT, and Co-Founder of Legion Digital Studios. Derhy also serves as Producer and Partner with Advent Entertainment and Paralight Studios and Co-Founder of Legion Digital Studios alongside Baker.
Over the course of their partnership, Baker and Derhy have worked together across the creative, production, business, financing, technology, marketing and strategic development of the property. Baker brings leadership in screenwriting, direction, visual development and filmmaking technology, while Derhy brings hands on production, production packaging, financing relationships, distribution strategy, strategic partnerships, casting relationships, business development, global marketing and international outreach. Their combined efforts have helped move the franchise forward and establish the foundation for the next phase of the LEGION OF 5 universe.
“This announcement reflects what Lee and Marco have built together as partners over time, combining their strengths across the board with one shared objective: to strengthen Stan Lee’s LEGION OF 5, preserve the creative foundation Stan established, and build the production, technology, business and global platform needed to take this universe into its next chapter. LEGION OF 5 has always had tremendous creative potential, and this partnership has allowed us to approach that potential from every side. What we have achieved together gives us a stronger foundation for where we intend to take the franchise next.”
Preserving Stan Lee’s Creative Legacy
LEGION OF 5 originated with Stan Lee, who created the intellectual property and characters through the property’s early development with POW! Entertainment. Stan Lee’s original creative attribution remains central to the identity and continuing development of the project.
The property was publicly announced in 2008, when Stan Lee and POW! Entertainment, together with Brighton Partners, joined with Rainmaker Entertainment to develop LEGION OF 5 as a CG animated superhero property envisioned as a cross platform franchise extending into film, comics, games, merchandising and digital releases.
Baker became involved after Brighton Partners approached his former company, Sandman Studios Entertainment, to contribute artwork and visual effects to the property. Baker and his team continued working on LEGION OF 5 as the project evolved, and he later wrote the screenplay and became attached as director.
According to the franchise history and legal disclosure published by Advent Entertainment, Baker’s Stormlight Entertainment, LLC assumed Brighton Partners’ contractual position in 2015. Advent’s published disclosure states that the property is currently owned 50% by Stormlight Entertainment, LLC and 50% by Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment, Inc., with POW! Entertainment and Stormlight Entertainment jointly determining the timing for moving the project forward.
Lee Baker’s entertainment journey includes work associated with major Hollywood productions, reflecting the experience that helped shape his approach to filmmaking and visual storytelling.
That rights history is distinct from the current production and company roles held by Baker and Derhy as they continue advancing the project together.
Building the LEGION Universe
Stan Lee’s LEGION OF 5 follows five young heroes who unexpectedly receive extraordinary abilities and must learn to work together against a super powered threat while confronting personal challenges of their own.
The broader strategy envisions a connected entertainment universe spanning feature films, potential sequels and episodic content, animation, video games, licensing, merchandising, digital storytelling and immersive entertainment experiences.
Approved historical image of Stan Lee connected to the original LEGION OF 5 development period
Among those initiatives is LEGION CHAMPIONS, a video game concept set within the same universe and designed to expand the property beyond the feature film experience.
Legion Digital Studios, LLC, co-founded by Lee Baker and Marco Derhy, provides a dedicated production and business structure for developing film and television projects while exploring opportunities across gaming and other areas of entertainment, supported by PARALIGHT AI technology and other emerging technologies shaping the entertainment industry.
PARALIGHT and Human Centered AI Assisted Filmmaking
Baker is the Founder and CEO of PARALIGHT, a patent pending, AI powered filmmaking platform designed to help creators move from written concepts toward visual production within a connected creative environment.
The platform supports multiple stages of the filmmaking process, including screenwriting, character development, scene development, shot planning, storyboarding, visual generation, dialogue and other production functions.
At the center of PARALIGHT’s philosophy is a human centered approach to AI assisted filmmaking. The platform is intended to empower actors, writers, directors, producers, visual effects professionals and other creators rather than replace human creativity, artistic judgment or performance.
A concept trailer for Stan Lee’s LEGION OF 5 was produced using PARALIGHT, demonstrating how AI assisted tools can support the visualization and development of an entertainment property while human creators retain responsibility for story, performance, direction, tone and meaning.
The integration of PARALIGHT into the development process positions LEGION OF 5 at the intersection of traditional filmmaking expertise and emerging production technology.
About Lee Baker
Lee Baker is a filmmaker, screenwriter, author, visual effects executive and technology entrepreneur whose career spans filmmaking, visual effects, animation, interactive media, video games, education and technology development. His creative and technological experience has played a central role in the continuing development of Stan Lee’s LEGION OF 5. Baker previously owned and led Sandman Studios Entertainment and is the author of Speed of Light, Humbug: A Christmas Carol and Beau and the Beanstalk.
About Marco Derhy
Marco Derhy is a Beverly Hills based entrepreneur, film producer, author, philanthropist, and Founder and CEO of Derhy Enterprises, Inc. He brings decades of entrepreneurial leadership, film production, business development, financing, marketing and international experience to the partnership.
Following his military service, Derhy moved to Los Angeles and launched a private label fashion company in his early twenties, growing the business into an industry leader generating more than $50 million in annual sales. He subsequently expanded into film production and distribution, real estate development, emerging technologies, international business development and humanitarian initiatives.
Throughout his career, Derhy has worked and negotiated with influential figures across entertainment and business, including legendary Hollywood producer Robert Evans and former Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone. He now brings that entrepreneurial and international business experience to the continuing development and global expansion of the LEGION OF 5 universe.
About Advent Entertainment
Advent Entertainment, LLC is a film and entertainment funding and production company founded by Lee Baker. The company develops feature film and television projects and entertainment technologies across film, television, gaming, virtual reality, augmented reality and related media.
About PARALIGHT
PARALIGHT is a patent pending, AI powered filmmaking platform founded by Lee Baker and designed to support creators across writing, development, preproduction, visual development, production and postproduction. Paralight Studios works within the broader partnership to develop and produce entertainment projects using human centered, AI assisted filmmaking workflows.
About Legion Digital Studios
Legion Digital Studios, LLC is a film and entertainment funding and production company co founded by Lee Baker and Marco Derhy. The company develops and produces high quality film and television projects while exploring opportunities across gaming and other areas of entertainment, supported by PARALIGHT AI technology.
Project Resources
- Stan Lee’s LEGION OF 5 Concept Trailer: PARALIGHT
- Advent Entertainment
- Stan Lee’s LEGION OF 5 Rights Disclosure
- Legion Digital Studios
- About Legion Digital studio
Creative Credit and Rights Disclosure
Stan Lee is credited as creator of the LEGION OF 5 intellectual property and characters.
Statements concerning historical ownership and contractual rights are presented according to the franchise history and legal disclosure published by Advent Entertainment. That disclosure states that Stormlight Entertainment, LLC and Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment, Inc. each hold a 50% interest in the property.
To read the full interview: visit the source of this article.
STAN LEE’S LEGION OF 5
Advent Entertainment | Paralight Studios | Legion Digital Studios
