Screen superheroes lead tributes to Stan Lee

LOS ANGELES - Comic book superhero creator Stan Lee, who died on Monday, got a superstar send off from Hollywood, where he was celebrated for creations like Spider-Man, Black Panther and the Hulk that made the careers of actors and directors alike.

Following is a list of reactions on social media and by statement:

"I owe it all to you," "Iron Man" actor Robert Downey Jr.

"No one has had more of an impact on my career and everything we do at Marvel Studios than Stan Lee. Stan leaves an extraordinary legacy that will outlive us all," Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios.

"Damn... RIP Stan. Thanks for everything," "Deadpool" actor Ryan Reynolds.

"For decades he provided both young and old with adventure, escape, comfort, confidence, inspiration, strength, friendship and joy. He exuded love and kindness and will leave an indelible mark on so, so, so many lives. Excelsior!!," "Captain America" actor Chris Evans.

"I'm proud to have been a small part of his legacy and .... to have helped bring one of his characters to life," "Wolverine" actor Hugh Jackman.

"Thank you for making my childhood, teen years and adulthood so fun, especially during darker days," singer Josh Groban.

"Thank you Stan Lee for making people who feel different realize they are special," actor Seth Rogen.

"Rest In Peace, Mr. Lee. Thanks for everything," "Supergirl" actress Nicole Maines.

"Stan Lee was as extraordinary as the characters he created. A superhero in his own right to Marvel fans around the world, Stan had the power to inspire, to entertain, and to connect. The scale of his imagination was only exceeded by the size of his heart," Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company.

"Original and genius are two very overused words in the world today, but Stan was both. Add irrepressible and irreplaceable, and you begin to describe the man. We have all lost a true superhero," Tim Rothman, chairman of Sony Pictures.

"The legacy of Stan Lee, through his creative genius and his universes of characters, will continue to reach the world of true believers for generations to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the fans of not only his work, but of him, as a friend who made the world a better place," Shane Duffy, chief executive of Lee's POW! Entertainment.

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WATCH: First 'Captain America: Civil War' trailer

The first official full-length trailer for the much anticipated Marvel Studios sequel “Captain America: Civil War” has been released on Wednesday.

Directed by Joe Russo and Anthony Russo, who helmed “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” the film, according to the official synopsis, picks up where “Avengers: Age of Ultron” left off, as Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) leads the new team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity.

After another international incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability and a governing body to determine when to enlist the services of the team.

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” also stars The Falcon (Anthony Mackie), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.).

The first of Marvel Studios’ Phase 3 films, it will also feature appearances from Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther, Jeremy Renner sa Hawkeye, Paul Rudd sa Ant Man, Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlett Witch, and Paul Bettany as The Vision.

The film will be released in May 2016.

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Jennifer Lawrence ranked 'most valuable star'; Chris Pratt soars

Jennifer Lawrence came out top for a second successive year in a ranking of the most valuable movie stars, released on Monday, that saw Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt drop out of the top 10, and a huge rise for "Jurassic World" star Chris Pratt.

Lawrence, 25, an Oscar winner for "Silver Linings Playbook" and star of the "Hunger Games" movie franchise, was deemed "the leading movie star of her generation" by editors at culture and entertainment website Vulture.com.

Previously, Forbes had named Lawrence the highest-paid actress last year with an estimated $52 million in earnings. The Vulture.com ranking also assessed factors including likeability, Twitter mentions, critical respect and Oscar nominations.

"Iron Man" star Robert Downey Jr. and perennial favorite Leonardo DiCaprio ranked second and third overall, unchanged from last year.

Jolie slipped from 6th place in 2014 to 17th overall, but she came top of the "most discussed on social media" list. Husband Pitt dropped from nine to 16 on the ranking.

Pratt, 36, had a meteoric rise after two years that saw him star in blockbuster "Jurassic World" and the 2014 sci-fi adventure "Guardians of the Galaxy." He rose 57 places to no.11, and topped the "most likable" rankings.

Oscar winning actor-director-producer Ben Affleck, publicity averse actor Joaquin Phoenix, and Emmy-winning comedian Amy Schumer were the three "most critically respected" on the list.

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant)

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WATCH: 'Iron Man' presents kid with real bionic arm

MANILA - Check out this heartwarming video of Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr. (RDJ), who plays Iron Man in various films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, presenting a 3D-printed bionic arm to a handicapped 7-year-old kid.

Alex, whom RDJ refers to as the "most dapper" 7-year-old he has ever met, was born with a partially developed right arm. He also happens to love superheroes and riding his bike.

So imagine his surprise when he was greeted by RDJ dressed as the "leading bionics expert" Tony Stark inside a hotel room.

"Had the absolute privilege of presenting a brand spanking new 3D-printed bionic Iron Man arm to Alex," wrote RDJ on his Facebook page.

The new arm was built and designed by Albert Manero, founder of volunteer group Limbitless Solutions. The doctoral student aims to make 3D-printed bionic limbs affordable "for families with kids who want to show the playground how badass they are."

The arm costs $350 in materials to make, according to Microsoft's The Collective Project. A report from tech website CNET noted that is "far cheaper than the $40,000 it traditionally costs to make such limbs."

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'Iron Man' beats 'minions', Katniss in 2013

HOLLYWOOD - It was a golden year for Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man 3, which earned the distinction as the top grossing film of 2013.

The comic book hero franchise took in $1.2 billion worldwide - according to Box Office Mojo - as movie fans flocked to theaters to see Downey Jr. reprise his role as billionaire entrepreneur Tony Stark.

Checking in at the No. 2 spot was "Despicable Me 2," the animated comedy that scored very well over the summer with ticket sale of close to 920 million.

Hollywood's golden girl, Jennifer Lawrence added to her box office resume with "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," which made 795 million globally. The sequel to the original film, which made Lawrence a star, played equally well home and abroad.

Rounding out the top four for the year was the always reliable car franchise, "Fast & Furious 6," powering its way to nearly 790 million dollars with an action packed cast that included Vin Diesel, The Rock and the late Paul Walker, who's untimely passing from from a tragic car crash in 2013 has delayed the release of "Fast & Furious 7."

It's worth noting that the 8 out the year's top 10 films are sequels.

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Robert Downey Jr. leads Forbes' highest-paid actors

NEW YORK - With estimated earnings of $75 million, "Iron Man" Robert Downey Jr. is Hollywood's highest paid actor, ahead of Channing Tatum and Hugh Jackman, according to Forbes.com.

Downey, 48, starred in Disney's Marvel superhero films "The Avengers" in 2012 and "Iron Man 3" in 2013, each of which earned more than $1 billion at the box office, assuring him the top spot in the annual ranking of Hollywood's top acting earners.

"Every studio in town would love to cast him, and now they'll pay big buck for the privilege," Forbes.com contributor Dorothy Pomerantz said about Downey on Tuesday. Forbes.com estimated his earnings between June 2012 and June 2013.

New father Tatum, 33, who self-financed the male-stripper movie "Magic Mike" that made $167 million with director Steven Soderbergh, captured the No. 2 spot with estimated earnings of $60 million. Australian actor Jackman, 44, whose new movie "The Wolverine" opens in U.S. theaters next week, was not far behind with $55 million.

Mark Wahlberg, 42, had a comedy hit with "Ted," a film that earned $550 million and pumped up his earning to $52 million to secure fourth place, and wrestler-turned actor Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, 41, rounded out the top five with $46 million.

Johnson starred in "Fast and Furious 6," which made $500 million at the box office in less than two weeks, and "G.I. Joe: Retaliation."

Adam Sandler, 46, at No. 7, was the only comedian to make the top 10 thanks mainly to the animated hit "Hotel Transylvania, which grossed $347 million and helped bump his earnings up to $37 million.

Denzel Washington, 58, took a cut in pay in exchange for a share of the profits for "Flight," which turned out to be a shrewd deal. The film made $162 million putting the Oscar winner in eighth place with earnings of $33 million.

Last year, Tom Cruise, 51, topped the list with earnings of $75 million. This year, he dropped to eighth place with $35 million, gained largely from his international audience, Forbes said.

Forbes.com compiled the ranking and estimated earnings by talking to managers, producers and agents.

The full list can be found on www.forbes.com

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