Hollywood director Spike Lee has been forced to confirm that he is alive and well after being mistaken for the late Stan Lee.
Marvel co-creator Stan died on Monday at the age of 95 following a series of health battles in recent months.
However, a local newspaper in New Zealand, the Gisborne Herald, mistook Spike for Stan and reported that the director had died on their frontpage.
The headline read: “Characters first, superheroes next”: Spike Lee dies at 95, although they did use a photo of Stan.
Reacting to the gaff in good humour, Spike, 61, posted the newspaper cover with the caption: God Bless Stan Lee. Me? Not Yet. And Dats Da “Im Still A Live, And Strivin'” Truth,Ruth. YA-DIG? SHO-NUFF.
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The Instagram photo also included a mock obituary from a Twitter user who mixed titles of Spikes iconic films, such as Do The Right Thing and Malcolm X, with legendary Marvel characters, including X-Men and Spider-Man.
Spike Lee, beloved creator of Professor Malcolm X, Spider-Inside Man, and Do the right Thing, the joke read.
Assuring fans further of his good health, Spike then posted a photo of himself bike riding on a beach and revealed hes been hard at work.
The director said: Werkin From Cant See In Da Mornin Till Cant See At Night. Woo Lawdy.
After the newspaper clipping went viral, the Gisbourne Herald editor, Jeremy Muir, addressed the error and admitted his team were embarrassed.
More: Stan Lee
Jeremy told Stuff: People are having a bit of fun with it. Thats fine. Its just really embarrassing. Its a human mistake.
Fans will have one last chance to see Stan on the big screen with reports that he will make a cameo in the forthcoming Avengers 4, set for release on 3 May 2019.
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