Stan Lee’s Final Project Is Superhero Kindergarten, Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger

Comics legend Stan Lee may have passed away last year, but his legacy lives on through several Marvel projects. The latest—and last—of Stan Lee’s projects is an animated children’s show, Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, starring the one and only Terminator himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger, as revealed in a Genius Brands International press release.

Schwarzenegger may be known as the toughest action hero to grace the big screen, but now he’s wandering into new territory—children’s TV—in a move he’s been hoping to make for a while. The Terminator lead will get to show a softer side in the comedy/action-adventure series, which will mark his first animated series regular role.

Schwarzenegger stars as former superhero Arnold Armstrong, aka Captain Courage, who makes an interesting career change. The gym teacher-turned-superhero lost his powers in a battle against his arch-nemesis, Dr. Superior, and now works undercover as a kindergarten teacher after years of defending the world. Armstrong is tasked with teaching bumbling five-year-olds with newly discovered powers how to use them for good.

“Arnold Armstrong was forced to end his career as Captain Courage until a massive explosion of super-energy particles came raining down, and rumors of super-powered children began surfacing,” the press release explains. “Now, Arnold must serve humanity once again by working ‘undercover’ as a brand-new kindergarten teacher whose main task is to train this unique new generation of super-powered 5-year-olds secretly.”

If the plot sounds similar to the 1990 Arnold Schwarzenegger classic Kindergarten Cop, it’s because it is. Lee got the idea for the show from the movie and envisioned Schwarzenegger, the original Kindergarten Cop, as its lead, according to Business Insider. But instead of a cop, Schwarzenegger is an ex-superhero.

“Stan loved and admired Arnold as not just an actor but a true hero in so many ways and always envisioned Arnold for this role,” said Andy Heyward, president of POW! Entertainment, in a statement. “We are honored to continue his legacy of creating a new superhero franchise for kids with another iconic hero, Arnold Schwarzenegger, in Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten.”

And while Lee died in November at age 95, he’ll get to live on in a world of his own creation. Lee will make an animated cameo in every episode.

“Just as his millions of fans look forward to seeing him appear in each Marvel film, they will look forward to his presence in each episode of this cartoon,” Heyward added.

Superhero Kindergarten has yet to strike a deal with a network or streaming company, but with names like Lee and Schwarzenegger attached, it should have no problem finding a home. Also part of the team is Deadpool co-creator Fabian Nicieza, who will script the series.

This isn’t the first time a Schwarzenegger-Lee animated collab was set to reach our screens. In 2011, Lee announced he was co-developing an animated series and comic book titled The Governator, but the show fell through.

Now, Schwarzenegger finally gets his shot at working on a Lee project and becoming a superhero in animated form.

“It is an honor and privilege to work with Genius Brands and POW! Entertainment on this new series and help carry on Stan’s creative legacy by introducing this new group of superheroes to preschool children around the world,” Schwarzenegger said in a statement. “Not only does Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten feature comedy and action, but there are many valuable lessons to be learned along the way. Of particular pride to me is the fact that I am not only teaching kids to use their superpowers, but I am also imparting valuable lessons to kids worldwide about the importance of health, exercise and nutrition.”

Check out some art for Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten below.