Michael Jackson attempted to purchase Marvel Comics to play Spider-Man.
Jackson was a lifelong comic-book fan and reportedly discussed acquiring Marvel in the 1990s. His interest was connected to a desire to develop and star in a Spider-Man film, although accounts differ over whether he intended to play the character himself, produce the film, or do both. Stan Lee later recalled meeting Jackson and discussing the idea, but the proposed acquisition never happened.
Spider-Man was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko and first appeared in Marvel Comics in 1962. The character’s ordinary identity, Peter Parker, helped make him especially appealing to audiences: he was a teenager balancing school, personal problems, and superhero responsibilities.
The common mix-up is with other Marvel characters Jackson reportedly admired, including the X-Men. However, the superhero most directly associated with his reported Marvel ambitions was Spider-Man.