Michael Jackson wanted to appear as Spider-Man in a new movie about the superhero, it has emerged.

Spider-Man creator Stan Lee said he and Jackson, who died in June, had held talks at the star's former Neverland home about the project.

"I'm not sure whether he just wanted to produce it or wanted to play the role,” Lee told the Telegraph.

“Our conversation never got that far along."

When asked if he believed Jackson would have wanted the role of Spider-Man, Lee replied: “I suspect so.

"He thought I'd be the one who could get him the rights (to make a Spider-Man movie), and I told him I couldn't," he added.

"He would have to go to the Marvel company. But we did become friendly, and he was a great guy."

Jackson and Lee, former president of Marvel Comics, first met in the 1990s after the singer expressed interest in making a joint bid for the company.

Although the deal was never completed, Lee said Jackson was “quite a good father”.

“He was very solicitous, and he cared very much for the boy (Prince Michael I),” he added.

(by Jason Gregory)