X-Men '97 Writer Addresses Potential MCU Connections
X-Men '97 head writer Beau DeMayo addresses the potential Marvel Cinematic Universe connections in the upcoming animated revival series. Developed by Eric Lewald, Sidney Iwanter and Mark Edens, the original animated series marked the second attempt to bring Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's superhero team to the screen after the failed X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men pilot. X-Men was composed of most of the iconic roster of heroes from Jim Lee's '90s comics with Cyclops, Wolverine, Rogue, Storm, Beast, Gamble, Jubilee, Jean Grey and Professor X.
The cast for the original X-Men series included Norm Spencer as Cyclops, Cal Dodd as Wolverine, Lenore Zann as Rogue, Iona Morris and Alison Sealy-Smith as Storm, George Guza as Beast, Chris Potter and Tony Daniels as Gambit, Alyson Court as Jubilee, Catherine Disher as Jean Grey, Cedric Smith as Professor X and David Hemblen as Magneto. Running for five seasons on Fox Kids Network, the animated series received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike for its mature storytelling and adaptations of iconic comic storylines. After initially being canceled in 1997, the show is set to find new life as X-Men '97, a Disney+ revival series continuing the plot of the original.
In a recent interview with The Direct, head writer Beau DeMayo shared some insight for the highly anticipated X-Men '97 series. When asked about the show's potential MCU connections, the creator elected to go with "no comment" in the hopes of retaining the revival's surprises, but did hint they could come to be. See what DeMayo teased below:
"The one thing I can say towards that is, I know sometimes we say, No comment,' and it's like, 'They're just being obstinate. I'm gonna go with no comment here because part of the surprise will be finding that out when you experience the show. I can't speak to marketing, but I think there is a degree of—you will be asking that question."
While the idea of a '90s animated series connecting with the MCU may seem a little far-fetched to some, there are a number of reasons why X-Men '97 could build some bridges to the long-running Disney franchise. One such argument is DeMayo being at the helm for the animated revival, given he was involved co-writing the script for Moon Knight episode 3. Additionally, with Disney+'s What If...? exploring alternate realities in the animated genre that will have ramifications for the MCU, the door seems open for the two different formats to crossover.
The biggest argument in favor of X-Men '97 featuring MCU connections is Patrick Stewart's upcoming return as Professor X for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Some eagle-eyed fans believe to have seen an animated realm akin to X-Men '97 in trailers for the Benedict Cumberbatch sequel while others have taken to theorizing that Stewart will be playing the animated version of the team leader, a theory further fueled by recent footage showing him in a comics-accurate yellow wheelchair. Only time will tell when Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits theaters on Friday and X-Men '97 premieres sometime in 2023.
Source: The Direct