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For the 1992–1997 animated series, see X-Men: The Animated Series.

X-Men '97
Genre
Created byBeau DeMayo
Based onMarvel Comics
Voices of
Theme music composer
ComposerThe Newton Brothers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes7
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Danielle Costa
  • Sean Gantka
Editors
  • Michelle McMillan
  • Asher Lewis
  • Melissa Lugo
Running time30–37 minutes
Production companyMarvel Studios Animation
Original release
NetworkDisney+
ReleaseMarch 20, 2024 (2024-03-20) –
present
Related
X-Men: The Animated Series

X-Men '97 is an American animated television series created by Beau DeMayo for the streaming service Disney+, based on the Marvel Comics superhero team X-Men. It is a revival of X-Men: The Animated Series (1992–1997), continuing the story of the X-Men who face new challenges following the loss of their leader, Professor Charles Xavier. X-Men '97 is produced by Marvel Studios Animation, with DeMayo as head writer for the first two seasons and Jake Castorena as supervising director.

Ray Chase, Jennifer Hale, Alison Sealy-Smith, Cal Dodd, J. P. Karliak, Lenore Zann, George Buza, A. J. LoCascio, Holly Chou, Isaac Robinson-Smith, Matthew Waterson, Ross Marquand (Xavier), and Adrian Hough star as members of the X-Men. Sealy-Smith, Dodd, Zann, Buza, and Hough reprised their roles from the original series, as did Christopher Britton. Original series stars Catherine Disher, Chris Potter, Alyson Court, Lawrence Bayne, and Ron Rubin returned to voice new characters.

The revival was first discussed in June 2019 and formally announced in November 2021, with DeMayo and Castorena attached. Chase Conley and Emi Yonemura also directed episodes. DeMayo was fired as head writer in March 2024 after completing work on the first two seasons. The series is the first X-Men project from Marvel Studios since the company regained the film and television rights to the characters. Animation was provided by Studio Mir and Tiger Animation, and is a modernized version of the original series' style.

X-Men '97 premiered on March 20, 2024, with its first two episodes. The rest of the ten-episode first season is being released weekly until May 15. A second season is in production and a third is in development.

Premise

X-Men '97 continues the story of X-Men: The Animated Series (1992–1997). In both series, mutants are people born with superhuman abilities that generally manifest during puberty. The X-Men are a team of mutant superheroes founded by Professor Charles Xavier to protect mutants and humans alike. At the end of The Animated Series, Xavier nearly dies in an assassination attempt and is taken to space to be healed by the alien Shi'ar Empire. X-Men '97 begins a year later and sees the X-Men facing new challenges without Xavier, under the leadership of their former adversary Magneto. As with the original series, X-Men '97 combines action, soap opera-style drama, and exploration of serious topics.[1][2]

Cast and characters

See also: List of X-Men: The Animated Series characters
  • Ray Chase as Scott Summers / Cyclops:
    The mutant field leader of the X-Men whose eyes emit powerful beams of concussive energy.[3] Cyclops is prepared to lead the X-Men after the loss of Xavier, before Magneto takes that role.[4] Chase replaces Cyclops's original voice actor Norm Spencer, who died in 2020.[5] Chase had not seen the original series when he auditioned, and was provided clips and references for the character's voice to base his performance on. After being cast, he watched the original series and listened to interviews of Spencer.[4]
  • Jennifer Hale as Jean Grey:
    A powerful telepathic and telekinetic mutant who is married to Cyclops, and was once the host of the cosmic entity Phoenix Force.[3] Her relationship with Cyclops is complicated by Wolverine's feelings for her.[4] Hale, who previously voiced the character in the television series Wolverine and the X-Men, replaces original series voice actor Catherine Disher,[5] and based her performance on Disher's voice.[4] Hale also voices Madelyne Pryor / Goblin Queen, a mutant clone of Jean created by Mister Sinister. Madelyne gives birth to Cyclops's son, Nathan, which further complicates his relationship with Jean. Hale used a slightly different tone when voicing Madelyne to separate her from Jean.[4]
  • Alison Sealy-Smith as Ororo Munroe / Storm:
    A powerful mutant who can control the weather and is described as a "goddess".[3] Sealy-Smith reprises her role from the original series.[5] She also voices the Adversary, a demon that feeds on negative emotions.[6]
  • Cal Dodd as James "Logan" Howlett / Wolverine:
    A hotheaded mutant with a regenerative healing factor, heightened senses, retractable claws, and an adamantium-laced skeleton.[3] Dodd reprises his role from the original series.[5]
  • J. P. Karliak as Morph:
    A mutant metamorph who can change their voice and appearance to that of any person. Morph's base design has changed from the original series to a "pale, hairless, and blankly-featured" look similar to the version of the character seen in the "Age of Apocalypse" comic book storyline and the Exiles comic book.[7] Morph identifies as non-binary,[7] but the series does not explicitly use that term or gender-neutral pronouns because these were not common in the 1990s.[8][9] Karliak replaces Morph's original voice actor Ron Rubin.[9]
  • Lenore Zann as Rogue:
    A mutant who absorbs the memories, powers, and energy of those she touches.[3] The series reveals that Rogue had a secret romantic relationship with Magneto when she was younger, causing friction in her current relationship with Gambit.[10] Zann reprises her role from the original series.[5]
  • George Buza as Dr. Henry "Hank" McCoy / Beast:
    A blue-furred mutant genius with superhuman strength and agility.[3] Buza reprises his role from the original series.[5]
  • A. J. LoCascio as Remy LeBeau / Gambit:
    A mutant and former thief who can charge objects with explosive kinetic energy, including his signature playing cards.[3] LoCascio replaces Gambit's original voice actor Chris Potter.[5]
  • Holly Chou as Jubilation Lee / Jubilee:
    The youngest member of the X-Men who can create firework-like explosions.[3] Chou replaces Jubilee's original voice actor Alyson Court, who previously said she would not reprise the role and would prefer that an Asian-American actor take it.[11] Court instead voices Abscissa, an older version of Jubilee from the "Motendo" video game world.[12]
  • Isaac Robinson-Smith as Lucas Bishop:
    A mutant from a dystopian future with the ability to absorb kinetic energy and redirect it into concussive blasts.[3] Robinson-Smith replaces Bishop's original voice actor Philip Akin.[5]
  • Matthew Waterson as Erik "Magnus" Lehnsherr / Magneto:
    A powerful mutant who controls magnetism. Magneto is given control of the X-Men in the last will and testament of Charles Xavier.[1][3] Waterson replaces Magneto's original voice actor David Hemblen, who died in 2020.[5]
  • Ross Marquand as Professor Charles Xavier:
    The founder of the X-Men who was taken to space to be healed by the Shi'ar Empire following an assassination attempt.[13][14] Marquand replaces Xavier's original voice actor Cedric Smith. Coincidentally, both actors previously provided the voice for Marvel villain Red Skull in different projects.[14]
  • Adrian Hough as Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler:
    A religious, blue mutant with teleporting abilities and prehensile hands and feet. Hough reprises his role from the original series in X-Men '97, which includes the character's playfulness from the comics.[15] Hough also voices the mutant Strong Guy.[citation needed]

Recurring guests in the first season include Gui Agustini as Roberto da Costa, a young mutant rescued by the X-Men who can channel solar energy;[16] Catherine Disher—who voiced Jean Grey in the original series—as Dr. Valerie Cooper, a United Nations official and ally of the X-Men;[17][16] Gavin Hammon as Sentinel creator Dr. Bolivar Trask,[18] replacing original voice actor Brett Halsey,[19] as well as Shi'ar chancellor Lord Araki;[citation needed] Eric Bauza as the Master Mold supercomputer and the mutant-hunting Sentinels, replacing original voice actor David Fox who died in 2021;[16] Donna Jay Fulks as news reporter Trish Tilby,[20] as well as the mutants Tommy and Amelia Voght (replacing Amelia's original voice actor Susan Roman);[citation needed] Christopher Britton as Dr. Nathaniel Essex / Mister Sinister, a genetic scientist from Victorian era-London who has enhanced himself using mutant DNA, reprising his role from the original series;[16][5] and Gil Birmingham as Forge, a mutant who can invent advanced technology, replacing original voice actor Marc Strange who died in 2012.[21]

Actors who voice multiple characters in the season include Todd Haberkorn, who voices former government agent Henry Peter Gyrich who attempted to assassinate Xavier,[22] replacing Gyrich's original voice actor Barry Flatman;[19] and Ronan the Accuser, a high-ranking member of the Kree Empire.[18] David Errigo Jr. voices Leech, a young Morlock who can nullify other mutants' powers, replacing original voice actor John Stocker;[23] Mojo, an interdimensional media mogul from the Mojoverse who uses the X-Men to fuel his power, replacing original voice actor Peter Wildman;[24] Sean Cassidy / Banshee, an Irish mutant with a sonic scream who serves on the council of Genosha,[20] replacing original actor Phillip Williams;[citation needed] and Gladiator, the Strontian leader of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard,[18] replacing original voice actor Richard Eden.[citation needed] Courtenay Taylor voices Callisto, the leader of the Morlocks,[20] replacing original voice actor Susan Roman;[citation needed] and Illyana Rasputina / Magik / Darkchylde, a mutant sorcerer, replacing original voice actor Tara Strong.[citation needed] Martha Marion voices Emma Frost, a former member of the Inner Circle Club who now serves on the council of Genosha,[25] replacing original voice actor Tracey Moore;[citation needed] and Dr. Moira MacTaggert, a Scottish geneticist who serves on the council of Genosha,[20] replacing original voice actor Lally Cadeau.[citation needed]

Additional guest stars include Lawrence Bayne, who voiced Cable in the original series, as Carl Denti / X-Cutioner, the leader of the anti-mutant group Friends of Humanity;[16][26] Christine Uhebe as Roberto's mother Nina da Costa; Kimberly Woods as Bishop's younger sister Shard,[27] replacing original voice actor Kay Tremblay;[citation needed] Abby Trott as Spiral, Mojo's personal assistant, replacing original voice actor Cynthia Belliveau who retired in 2002;[24][28] Chris Potter, who voiced Gambit in the original series, as Nathan Summers / Cable, the son of Cyclops and Madelyne Pryor who was taken to the future as an infant after being infected with a techno-organic virus;[5] Travis Willingham as Sebastian Shaw, a former member of the Inner Circle Club who now serves on the council of Genosha, replacing original voice actor David Bryant;[29] Morla Gorrondonna as Lilandra Neramani, the empress of the Shi'ar Empire,[18] replacing original voice actor Camilla Scott;[19] Cari Kabinoff as Deathbird, the sister to Lilandra;[18] Theo James as Bastion;[30] and Ron Rubin, who voiced Morph in the original series, as U.S. president Robert Kelly,[16] replacing original voice actor Len Carlson who died in 2006.[31] Josh Keaton and Michael Patrick McGill reprise their respective roles as Steve Rogers / Captain America and Thunderbolt Ross from the series What If...? (2021–present).[32] Bayne voiced Captain America in the original series.[33]

Episodes

No.Title [34]Directed byWritten byOriginal release date [34]
1"To Me, My X-Men"Jake CastorenaBeau DeMayoMarch 20, 2024 (2024-03-20)
One year after Henry Peter Gyrich's assassination attempt on Professor Charles Xavier led to Xavier leaving Earth with the alien Shi'ar and being presumed dead,[a] the X-Men continue his mission of defending mutants and humans alike. Xavier's supposed death has led to the X-Men being legally sanctioned by the United Nations (UN). They save a young mutant, Roberto da Costa, from the anti-mutant group Friends of Humanity (FoH) who are using Sentinel technology. To find Sentinel creator Bolivar Trask, the X-Men visit Gyrich in prison and Jean Grey probes his mind using the machine Cerebro to amplify her psychic abilities. She locates Trask at a junkyard in the Sahara, but also receives a horrifying premonition. The X-Men destroy the remains of several Sentinels and a Master Mold supercomputer at the junkyard and apprehend Trask. Cyclops and a pregnant Jean announce that they are leaving the X-Men to raise their son in safety. They are interrupted by their former adversary Magneto, who reveals that Xavier gave him control of the X-Men and Xavier's school for mutants in his last will and testament.
2"Mutant Liberation Begins"Chase ConleyBeau DeMayoMarch 20, 2024 (2024-03-20)
Magneto begins saving both humans and mutants, and refrains from killing anti-mutant militants. A distrustful Cyclops and Jean decide to stay with the X-Men while Rogue sympathizes with Magneto's struggles. When UN forces led by Dr. Valerie Cooper attempt to arrest Magneto for his past terrorism, he agrees to surrender and face trial to prove himself. During his trial at the UN's headquarters, the FoH stage an attack. Their leader, X-Cutioner, shoots at Magneto with a depowering radiation blast; Storm takes the hit for him and loses her abilities. Jean goes into labor and Rogue is forced to absorb an obstetrician's knowledge when he refuses to deliver a mutant's baby. Jean gives birth to a son whom she and Cyclops name Nathan. After Magneto apprehends X-Cutioner and stops the assault, he is pardoned and discussions begin for the mutant nation Genosha to join the UN. Beast tells Storm that the blast depowered her permanently, and she leaves the team to find new meaning in life. While discussing her decision, the X-Men are surprised by the sudden arrival of a woman who looks identical to Jean.
3"Fire Made Flesh"Emi YonemuraBeau DeMayo and Charley FeldmanMarch 27, 2024 (2024-03-27)
Beast determines that the Jean look-alike is actually the real Jean Grey. The villainous Mister Sinister contacts the other Jean, revealing her to be a clone he created to gain access to her and Cyclops's DNA. Sinister takes control of her mind, turning her into the Goblin Queen. She gives Nathan to Sinister and subjects the X-Men to horrific visions based on their own fears. Morph, who was previously corrupted and controlled by Sinister, leads the X-Men to one of Sinister's labs where they find him infecting Nathan with a techno-organic virus under the belief that it will make the child invincible. The real Jean confronts the Goblin Queen telepathically and uses their shared memories to free her from Sinister's control. The clone Jean and Cyclops save Nathan, who is left gravely ill, while Sinister escapes. The clone Jean gives Nathan to the X-Men's time-traveling ally Bishop so he can try to find a cure for the virus in the future. She then takes on the name Madelyne Pryor and leaves the team. Elsewhere, a mutant named Forge introduces himself to Storm and claims that he can restore her powers.
4"Motendo"Chase ConleyBeau DeMayo and Charley FeldmanApril 3, 2024 (2024-04-03)
"Lifedeath – Part 1"

Jubilee wants to celebrate her 18th birthday at the arcade, but Magneto refuses and tells the team to focus on their training. Roberto consoles Jubilee, who is surprised to find a new "Motendo" video game console in her room. The pair are pulled into a video game based on her previous adventures, created by the alien slave-master Mojo who feeds off audience engagement. Jubilee enjoys reliving her past missions, but is convinced by Abscissa—an older digital copy of herself from the game's beta version—that she would be living an empty life. Abscissa helps Jubilee and Roberto defeat Mojo, and the pair return to the real world. Jubilee kisses Roberto.

Forge takes Storm to his ranch where he has created a machine that can restore her powers, though it seemingly fails. Storm notices a strange owl flying around the ranch. When Forge admits that he designed the technology which mutant inhibitor collars and X-Cutioner's radiation gun were based on, Storm leaves in anger. The owl reveals itself to be a demon called the Adversary. It brings Storm back to the ranch and poisons Forge.
5"Remember It"Emi YonemuraBeau DeMayoApril 10, 2024 (2024-04-10)
Unable to tell which memories belong to her and which belong to Madelyne, Jean reveals her emotional confusion to Wolverine and kisses him. He rejects her advances and tells her to talk with Cyclops, who she discovers has been communicating telepathically with Madelyne. Magneto, Rogue, and Gambit travel to Genosha, where the Genoshan council asks Magneto to lead the country; he agrees on the condition that Rogue leads with him. Rogue explains to Gambit that she had a secret relationship with Magneto when she was younger, as his abilities allow her to touch him without hurting him which she cannot do with Gambit. At a gala celebrating Genosha joining the UN, Rogue kisses Magneto and realizes that she made a mistake choosing him over Gambit. The time-traveling Cable arrives and Madelyne realizes that he is an adult Nathan. Cable is sent back to the future before he can warn everyone of what is coming: an upgraded Master Mold and army of Sentinels attack Genosha and kill thousands of mutants. Gambit sacrifices himself to destroy the Master Mold, leaving Rogue heartbroken.
6"Lifedeath – Part 2"Chase ConleyCharley FeldmanApril 17, 2024 (2024-04-17)
During a war between the Shi'ar and Kree empires, Shi'ar empress Lilandra Neramani announces her engagement to a now-healed Xavier. Refusing to accept her sister marrying a Terran, Deathbird invokes the Rite of M'Dashaa and challenges Xavier to purge all of his memories of Earth to prove his loyalty to the Shi'ar. Xavier's refusal to renounce his memories of the X-Men results in a battle between the Shi'ar Imperial Guard and Deathbird's supporters until Xavier pulls everyone into the astral plane to educate them on coexistence. When this lesson is interrupted by a psychic vision of Gambit's death, Xavier decides to return to Earth. At the ranch, Forge uses his mother's spell book to expel the demon and then Storm helps him search for a rare cactus that can cure the poison. Storm finds the cactus in a cave, but is cornered by the Adversary once again. Overcoming her fears, Storm regains her powers and defeats the Adversary. Storm heals Forge, and then they learn about the attack on Genosha. Elsewhere, a terrified Trask is confronted by the person responsible for the attack: Mister Sinister.
7"Bright Eyes"Emi-Emmett YonemuraCharley Feldman and JB BallardApril 24, 2024 (2024-04-24)
As the X-Men hold a funeral for Gambit, Rogue angrily searches for Gyrich and Trask. After gaining information from General Thunderbolt Ross and Captain America, Rogue finds Gyrich in Mexico and absorbs his memories. Gyrich is killed later that night by a mysterious man who is working with Sinister. While assisting in the recovery efforts at Genosha, the X-Men are contacted by Trask who tells them that he is in Madripoor. They pick up Rogue on the way, and Nightcrawler helps her confront her grief over Gambit's death. Roberto and Jubilee visit Roberto's mother and tell her that he is a mutant. She asks him to keep his identity a secret. In Madripoor, the X-Men learn that Sinister and a mysterious "OZT" organization have been developing a highly advanced Sentinel program. Rogue drops Trask to his death, unknowingly activating programming that turns him into a human–Sentinel hybrid. Cable arrives, defeats Trask, and explains that Sinister is working with a greater threat that they must stop. This threat is Bastion, who reveals to Sinister that Xavier is alive in space and that Magneto, presumed dead in the Genosha attack, is also alive and is Bastion's prisoner.
8"Tolerance Is Extinction"TBATBAMay 1, 2024 (2024-05-01)
9TBATBAMay 8, 2024 (2024-05-08)
10TBATBAMay 15, 2024 (2024-05-15)

Adaptations

Like the original animated series, several storylines and events from the comics are loosely adapted, including:

Production

Development

X-Men: The Animated Series producers Larry Houston, Julia Lewald, and Eric Lewald returned to consult on X-Men '97

Larry Houston, the producer and director of X-Men: The Animated Series (1992–1997), said in June 2019 that he and that series' creative team were discussing a potential revival with Disney. They wanted to continue the story from where the original series ended.[39] Disney subsidiary Marvel Studios was developing their first animated series, What If...?, and executives began discussing what their next animated project could be. The first idea considered was a revival of X-Men: The Animated Series, which was suggested by Brad Winderbaum. The head of streaming, television, and animation at Marvel Studios, Winderbaum was a fan of the series,[40]: 15:50–16:02 [41] and said several filmmakers who had met with Marvel Studios in the past had cited that series as a touchstone.[42] In late 2020, Beau DeMayo was asked to present a pitch for the revival after working as a writer for Marvel Studios' live-action Disney+ miniseries Moon Knight (2022).[43]

By June 2021, Marvel Studios Animation was developing a slate of at least three series in addition to What If...? that,[44][45][46] as of August 2021, were in various stages of development and not expected to be released until 2023.[47] In November, one of these was announced to be X-Men '97, a revival and continuation of X-Men: The Animated Series.[48][49] Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, VP of animation at Marvel Studios, said many of the people involved with the revival were fans of the 1990s series and "knew exactly" what the continuation should be.[42] DeMayo was announced as head writer and executive producer,[11][42] with Jake Castorena as supervising director and Charley Feldman as supervising producer.[42] Houston and the original series' showrunners, Eric and Julia Lewald, were consulting on the revival,[50][42] assisting with any "red flags" that arose and suggesting things they would like to see.[51] The trio were contacted by Winderbaum shortly after the revival series entered development, and were excited that Marvel chose to make a direct continuation of their series.[41] The Lewalds attributed Disney and Marvel Studios' fast-tracking of the revival to the success of the original series streaming on Disney+ and the book X-Men: The Art and Making of The Animated Series (2020).[52]: 55:47–56:48  Castorena, Chase Conley, and Emi Yonemura directed episodes of the first season.[53] Marvel Studios' Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D'Esposito, and Victoria Alonso also served as executive producers.[53]

The series is the first X-Men project from Marvel Studios since they regained the film and television rights to the characters from 20th Century Fox,[54] which put more pressure on DeMayo to get the project right in addition to wanting to respect the original series.[55] X-Men '97 is not set in the Sacred Timeline of Marvel Studios' shared universe, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU),[54][56][57] though Feige did consider integrating the series with the MCU during development.[58] Instead, X-Men '97 shares continuity with the original series and several other animated Marvel series that were released in the 1990s, including Spider-Man (1994–1998), Iron Man (1994–1996), and Silver Surfer (1998);[59][41] within Marvel Comics' multiverse, these series exist on Earth-92131.[60] During Marvel Studios Animation's panel at the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con, X-Men '97 and the studio's other animated series were described as being part of the "Marvel Animated Multiverse",[61] and Winderbaum acknowledged that there was potential to connect the series with other MCU properties using the MCU's multiverse.[41]

Work on a second season had begun by July 2022,[25][62] and writing on the second-season finale started by July 2023.[63] DeMayo had finished writing for the second season and began discussing ideas for a potential third season by March 2024, when he was fired by Marvel Studios ahead of the series' premiere. He was not involved in further promotion for the series and missed its red carpet premiere, which The Hollywood Reporter said was unusual for someone working on a Marvel Studios project, "even if they've been shuffled to the side" or replaced by other creatives.[64] Reportedly, DeMayo was difficult to work with and his use of a non-explicit OnlyFans account was not received well by Disney executives.[65] Winderbaum said the studio parted ways with DeMayo, rather than firing him, and praised his work on the series. He said DeMayo's departure would not negatively affect work on the third season, which was in development by the end of the month and remained on track to meet its production schedule. The studio was searching for DeMayo's replacement by then.[66][67]

Writing

Eric Lewald described the series as an extension of the original series that the Marvel Studios team had made their own.[51] DeMayo and the writers tried to honor the earnestness and "emotional sincerity" that existed in the original series, which DeMayo believed was about "the relationship of this found family, and how they cared about each other and had disagreements". X-Men '97 also reflects the contemporary society, similarly to how the original series reflected upon society in the 1990s.[68] The series explores whether Xavier's dream of mutant/human co-existence is relevant in the modern era,[69] and specifically focuses on the importance of empathy.[16] DeMayo pitched the series as honoring the original while bringing it into the modern world, and Winderbaum said it would explore an emotional shift at the beginning of the new millennium. DeMayo described the series as a soap opera which was a compelling idea to Winderbaum and the other executives.[40]: 19:09–19:48  The series features a darker tone than the original, intended to be a reflection of how the original series' audience experienced events such as the 9/11 attacks growing up.[70] Eric and Julia Lewald said there was a "ten-premise story arc" written for the first season, which Julia called their bible.[52]: 1:06:17–1:06:32 

X-Men '97 follows a similar X-Men team from the 1990s series with the "DNA of the original show". It sees the team reunite following an "impactful event",[42] and explores how they are changed by it,[40]: 19:09–19:48  while also exploring Professor X's loss during the original series' finale and other mysteries left unexplained by the original series.[51][69] Rogue, Beast, Gambit, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Storm, Jubilee, and Cyclops return as the main team, now led by their former enemy Magneto.[17] Bishop joins the team and Morph rejoins it.[71] Nathaniel Essex / Mister Sinister serves as the main antagonist for the first season,[72] alongside the Sentinels.[71] The series sees the X-Men questioning their future after an increase of sympathy towards mutants after the attempt on Xavier's life, with Cyclops and Storm wanting to continue on Xavier's dream and others such as Jean Grey wanting to create new lives for themselves, while Magneto is moved by the growing mutant sympathy and wants to follow in Xavier's footsteps as the team's leader.[73] Rogue was one of the characters that "emerged" unexpectedly as the creatives were working on the first season.[74]

The series retains some of the 1990s aesthetics and campiness of the original series with its writing, such as Storm announcing her attacks and Rogue having "the syrupy metaphor". However, DeMayo found it difficult to write Rogue's Southern metaphors and analogies in her dialogue, as well as finding the tone for Jubilee, who is intended to represent the younger audience, given how young people act has changed from the 1990s. DeMayo connected to Beast and the scientific terms he says from his work on the series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.[74] As with the original series, various comic storylines are adapted for the series, including "Lifedeath" from Uncanny X-Men #186 (1984).[75]

Casting and voice recording

X-Men '97 features several new actors taking on roles from the original series, including Ray Chase as Cyclops, Jennifer Hale as Jean Grey, J. P. Karliak as Morph, and A. J. LoCascio as Gambit

With the revival's announcement, several voice actors were revealed to be returning from the original series: Cal Dodd (James "Logan" Howlett / Wolverine), Lenore Zann (Rogue), George Buza (Henry "Hank" McCoy / Beast), Catherine Disher (Jean Grey), Chris Potter (Remy LeBeau / Gambit), Alison Sealy-Smith (Ororo Munroe / Storm), Adrian Hough (Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler), Christopher Britton (Nathaniel Essex / Mister Sinister), and Alyson Court (Jubilation Lee / Jubilee).[42][11] Lawrence Bayne (Nathan Summers / Cable) and Ron Rubin (Morph) also returned. Dodd, Zann, Buza, Sealy-Smith, Hough, and Britton all reprised their roles from the original series, while the others voice new roles: Disher voices Dr. Valerie Cooper, Potter voices Nathan Summers / Cable, Court voices Abscissa, Bayne voices Carl Denti / X-Cutioner, and Rubin voices President Robert Edward Kelly.[16]

Ray Chase takes on the role of Scott Summers / Cyclops following the death of original voice actor Norm Spencer;[16][76] Jennifer Hale replaces Disher as the voice of Jean Grey;[16] Holly Chou replaces Court as Jubilation Lee / Jubilee, with Court previously stating that she would not return to the role and hoped an Asian-American actor would voice the character instead;[16][11] A. J. LoCascio replaces Potter as Remy LeBeau / Gambit; Matthew Waterson voices Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto, following the death of David Hemblen; Gui Agustini voices Roberto da Costa / Sunspot; J. P. Karliak replaces Rubin as Morph; Isaac Robinson-Smith voices Lucan Bishop, replacing Philip Akin; Ross Marquand voices Professor Charles Xavier, replacing Cedric Smith; Gil Birmingham voices Forge following the death of Marc Strange; and Eric Bauza voices the Sentinels after the death of David Fox.[16][5]

Meredith Layne was the casting and voice director for the series, responsible for casting actors and directing the voice recording sessions. New cast members were hired for instances where the original voice actor was not available or their voice was no longer appropriate for the character, and were intended to match the original performances.[4] Recasting was also done to have more authentic representation (as with Court and Jubilee), because of specific vocal intonations (as with Cable to better highlight the "weird" father-son relationship with Cyclops), or for symbolic reasons (as with Disher now voicing Valerie Cooper). Regarding Disher's new role, DeMayo explained that Cooper delivers the series' thesis and he wanted Disher to be the one to present that since he felt "she was such the heart of the original series" and her original role as Jean Grey was "the epitome of empathy".[16]

In February 2024, DeMayo announced that Theo James, who DeMayo worked with on the film The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf (2021), had been cast in a "fan favorite" role,[16] later revealed to be Bastion.[30] Additionally, reprising their voice roles from What If...? in the first season are Josh Keaton as Steve Rogers / Captain America and Michael Patrick McGill as Thunderbolt Ross.[32]

Voice recording for the series began by November 2021,[77] primarily taking place remotely over Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chase and Hale recorded scenes for the third episode together in-person because of how much dialogue they share in that episode, but they said this was a rare occasion.[4] Dodd revealed in February 2023 that he had started recording for the second season,[78] and Zann stated in August 2023 that she had begun recording material for the second season as well.[79] Bayne also returned for the second season.[80] Despite the pandemic having less of an impact on subsequent seasons, voice recording continued to take place remotely for most cast members due to them being based in different locations.[4]

Animation and design

Animation was provided by Studio Mir[81] and Tiger Animation.[82]: 30:52  The series' 2D animation style was updated from the original series to use more sophisticated modern technology,[25][40]: 23:32–23:41 [83] and "slightly modernized" designs.[51] Castorena felt updating the series with modern sensibilities, technology, and techniques would help it stay relevant while still being respectful to the original series. He said they avoided using technology to replicate the look of the original series, preferring to spend time on the storyboards and editing "to adhere to what was cinematically being done at the time", though Winderbaum said a "small video transfer effect" was put over the animation to give it a 1990s television patina quality.[74] The usage of CGI was still done for layout and overly complicated vehicles, although the animation team would draw over them to maintain the show's art-style.[84]

The designs for (L to R) Rogue, Cyclops, Jubilee, and Bishop in the series, by lead character designer Amelia Vidal. Vidal wanted to retain the designs from the original series and 1990s-era comics where possible.[83]

The X-Men team are once again in their "classic legacy costumes", which DeMayo explained was a reference to the 1989 failed animation pilot X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men and a time where the team are thinking about "What part of this do I want to keep? Was it truly simpler back then, or were we just more naive?"[16] Lead character designer Amelia Vidal explained that the character's designs retained the concepts from the original series along with the style and aesthetics from the comics in the 1990s. Any changes from those were made to either better serve the story or to assist with the technical aspect of the animation. Regarding the designs of new characters, Vidal drew inspiration for their designs from the X-Men comics of the 1970s to 1990s just as the designers for the original series had done; for example, Nightcrawler's design is based on his appearance during John Byrne and Dave Cockrum's run.[83] To show emotion with Cyclops, whose eyes and eyebrows are covered by his visor, animators adjusted how the glints and reflections appeared on his visor. Castorena said other mutants' powers were also used in unique ways to convey their emotions.[63]

Work on the animatics had begun by November 2021,[77] and full animation began by April 2023.[85] Houston directed the new opening title sequence.[74] The first season was in post-production by July,[63] and animatics for the entire second season had been developed by March 2024.[66]

Music

One of Feige's stipulations for reviving X-Men: The Animated Series was ensuring Marvel Studios was able to use that series' theme song,[86] which was composed by Ron Wasserman. Wasserman composed the theme while under contract with producer Haim Saban, giving legal ownership of the song to Saban.[87] Following legal battles over the use of the theme, Marvel Studios paid a large sum to secure the rights to it in 2022.[87][88] This was done on the condition that it be re-recorded for future projects and credited to the original series' music executives, Saban and Shuki Levy.[87] Wasserman was set to meet with Marvel about his involvement in the revival by early 2022,[52]: 1:03:07–1:03:27  but John Andrew Grush and Taylor Newton Stewart—known professionally as the Newton Brothers—were announced to be the composers for X-Men '97 that July.[62]

The Newton Brothers were hired to work on the series while Marvel Studios was still in the process of securing the rights for the original theme. On revisiting the original series, the composers realized that the music did not match with their childhood memories and many of the original synthesizer sounds would now sound dated to modern audiences. They chose to modernize the score with an orchestra, choir, and some modern synthesizers.[89] However, they felt the theme song should remain more true to the original style, to not "ruin the nostalgic vibes" and embrace the sincerity of the original series. They produced eight different versions of the theme, each with a different amount of orchestral music versus original synthesizer music, before settling on the final version. The main melody is played on a synthesizer and an electric guitar, with the latter performed by Nili Brosh.[90] The X-Men '97 version of the theme, credited to Saban and Levy, was first heard in the MCU film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) and then the series Ms. Marvel (2022) when those projects referenced mutants.[91]

After discussing the tone for the score with DeMayo, the Newton Brothers decided to begin closer to the original series and then modernize the music more with each episode. They began by experimenting with different ideas separately, and then came together to write musical suites for each main character to define different sounds and instruments which could be "calling cards". For instance, Storm's music uses woodwind instruments, choir, and chanting to reflect the wind aspect of her powers, while a waterphone and other metallic sounds were used for Magneto.[89] To ensure the music did not become too modern, the composers took influence from 1990s musicians such as Michael Jackson, The Prodigy, Radiohead, and Depeche Mode.[87][92] Jackson's "Thriller" particularly inspired the score for the third episode,[92] which "got the Gothic treatment" and includes an organ.[93] The song "Happy Nation" by Ace of Base, which was released days after X-Men: The Animated Series premiered in 1992, is used prominently in the series in relation to the nation of Genosha and the Sentinel attack on it.[94]

In April 2024, Stewart confirmed that he and Grush were returning for the second season but said they had not yet begun writing music for it.[95]

Marketing

The series was discussed during Marvel Studios Animation's panel at the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con, where animatics were shown.[25] Completed animation from the series was shown a year later at the 2023 San Diego Comic-Con, where Hasbro's Marvel Legends figures for the series were also revealed.[71] In December 2023, Marvel Comics announced a four-issue comic book prequel series, also titled X-Men '97, written by Steve Foxe and with art by Salva Espin. The comic was made in collaboration with the series' producers. Foxe said the comic was an "original tale that feeds right into" the new series.[96] The first issue was released in March 2024.[97] Foxe and Espin previously worked on X-Men '92, a comic book continuation of the original series.[96] Select X-Men comics released in March 2024 feature variant covers based on Hasbro's Marvel Legends figures for the series.[98]

A trailer for the series was released on February 15, 2024, when the first season's premiere date was announced.[16] Charles Pulliam-Moore at The Verge and Joshua Rivera at Polygon both praised the trailer's nostalgia for the original series and specifically focused on the use of the original series' main theme.[99][100] Ben Travis, writing for Empire, also noted the nostalgia and music as well as the "narrative weight" suggested by the trailer's character details.[101] James Whitbrook at Gizmodo felt something was off about the trailer and identified that the animation "flits between looking oddly flat and stilted and some elements that almost look 3D", along with the combination of new and returning voice actors. However, he liked the series' aesthetic and some of the story ideas suggested by the trailer, and hoped that the elements which made him uneasy would work better when actually watching the series.[102] The trailer reportedly set an internal Disney record as the biggest trailer launch for a Disney+ animated series, surpassing the trailers for What If...? and the service's Star Wars animated series.[103]

Arcade1Up announced a home arcade cabinet, themed around X-Men '97, later in February. It features eight Marvel/Capcom video games: X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse (1994), Marvel Super Heroes (1995), X-Men: Children of the Atom (1995), X-Men vs. Street Fighter (1996), Marvel Super Heroes in War of the Gems (1996), Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (1997), Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes (1998), and Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000).[104] The titles for each episode of the first season were announced on a poster done in the style of a 1990s issue of TV Guide.[75] The first three episodes debuted at the series' world premiere in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on March 13.[64][105] By the end of the month, viewership for all five seasons of the original series had increased on Disney+ by 522 percent since the release of the trailer in February.[106]

Release

X-Men '97 premiered on Disney+ on March 20, 2024, with its first two episodes. The rest of the ten-episode first season is being released weekly until May 15.[34] The season was originally scheduled for release in late 2023.[25]

Reception

Viewership

According to Whip Media, who track viewership data for the 25 million worldwide users of their TV Time app, X-Men '97 was the most anticipated new series of March 2024.[107] Disney announced that the first episode had 4 million views worldwide in the five days following its release, marking the second-biggest first-season premiere for a full-length animated series on the service since the first season of What If...? in 2021.[108] According to the streaming aggregator JustWatch, X-Men '97 was the fifth most watched television series across all platforms in the United States during the week of March 18–24, 2024.[109]

Critical response

X-Men '97 received critical acclaim.[b] Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that critics called the series "Marvel's best release in years", praising "its nostalgic 2D animation style, smart writing, and captivating action sequences".[115] 98% of 63 reviews are positive on the website, with an average rating of 8.8/10. The website's critics consensus states, "Pulling off the x-traordinary feat of staying true to its beloved predecessor while charting a path forward for the franchise, X-Men '97 is simply x-cellent."[116] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the first season a score of 82 out of 100 based on 14 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[117]

Hayden Mears of TVLine complimented the show for combining the "vintage" feel with modernity in an "unassuming way".[118] Francis Agustin of the BBC believed that the series was a shift away from the heavily interconnected Marvel Cinematic Universe.[110] Alex Abad-Santos of Vox said "[e]verything about ’97 reflects an affection and thoughtfulness, not just for the Saturday morning cartoon but for the X-Men, too", praising the show for its understanding of the source material.[119] Brian Lowry of CNN News commented on the series' more adult tone and noted how it managed to remain faithful to the original series in spite of it.[120] Simon Gallagher from Screen Rant said "27 years after The Animated Series ended, X-Men '97 takes the original further, adding freshness without betraying anything that made us love it" and praising the show for its story, chosen plots and improved animation style.[121]

Documentary special

Main article: Marvel Studios: Assembled

In February 2021, the documentary series Marvel Studios: Assembled was announced. The specials go behind the scenes of the Marvel Studios films and television series with cast members and additional creatives.[122] The special of this series, "The Making of X-Men '97", features cast members from the original series and X-Men '97 who reveal their behind-the-scenes stories, and it explores the origins of the original series. It is scheduled to be released on Disney+ on May 22, 2024.[123]

Notes

  1. ^ As depicted in the X-Men: The Animated Series finale episode "Graduation Day" (1997)[13]
  2. ^ Attributed to these sources:[110][111][112][113][114]

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