Disney De-Powered Stan Lee's Son | Screen Rant
The Big Hero 6 film from Walt Disney Animation Studios de-powered Stan Lee's son. Fans have loved Baymax and his teammates, but may be surprised to know that one of the character's origins was significantly different. Fred Frederickson had actual powers, which the movie failed to include.
Big Hero 6 first appeared in Sunfire and Big Hero 6 a comic from 1998 by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Gus Vazquez that focused on Japan creating its own team of superheroes. In 2008, the team was brought back with some alterations. The series Big Hero 6 from 2008 was written by Chris Claremont, best known for his X-Men work. He created famous characters like Rogue, Mystique, and Gambit, as well as famous storylines like "The Dark Phoenix Saga". He is less known for creating the characters of Fred and Wasabi No-Ginger.
In the film, viewers learn through a short cameo that Fred is Stan Lee's son He serves as the mascot for the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology, where his friends attend school. As a superhero, Fred does not have any powers. He is really just a rich kid who loves comics and superheroes. He dresses up as "Fredzilla" with a monster suit that breathes fire. The suit also allows him to jump very high. In his first comic appearance, however, Fred had superpowers and could do so much more. Sketches from the artist included at the end of issue #1 show that he was still dubbed "Fredzilla."
Fred was not a part of the first iteration of Big Hero 6. In 2008, Chris Claremont and David Nakayama introduced him and Wasabi No-Ginger, while taking out Sunfire, Sunpyre, Ebon Samurai, and Silver Samurai. Fred is not from Japan and joins the team when they go to America to protect a scientist. He has no last name and never discusses his family. He is a coach at a high school where the team hides out, undercover. When Fred makes his first full appearance, he's seen wearing a Devil Dinosaur t-shirt. Glimpses of his powers are seen throughout the series, but it isn't until issue #4 that they are fully revealed in action. Initially, Hiro spots what appears to be a reptilian kaiju avatar hovering over Fred when he starts to get angry, which quickly disappears
During a fight between Big Hero 6 and friends of theirs who have been possessed, Fred releases his power. The reptilian kaiju image reappears over him and he is supercharged. The kaiju roars and when Fred punches his fist downwards, the image mirrors the action with great force. In the last issue, it reappears in another fight, with Hiro referring to it as a "dinosaur image." Fred is able to stop a car, break it in half to release the passengers, and then throw the car a decent distance. Hiro often remarks on how much fear he has whenever he sees Fred's alternate aura. While his powers are not showcased a lot, the power he wields is apparent.
Unfortunately, from page to screen, Fred's powers were taken away and he was used solely for comedic effect, as well as a benefactor for the team financially. He provided the means of hiding out and training. Despite being a fun character and good friend that brings a unique element to the Big Hero 6 team, Fred was severely underpowered from what his comic role showed him being capable of. Disney might have made him Stan Lee's son, but they took away his powers.
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