X-Men '97
GenreSuperhero
Created byBeau DeMayo
Based on
X-Men
by
Voices of
Theme music composer
ComposerThe Newton Brothers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
Production companyMarvel Studios Animation
Original release
NetworkDisney+
Related
X-Men: The Animated Series

X-Men '97 is an upcoming 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 (1992–97), continuing from where that series ends. X-Men '97 is produced by Marvel Studios Animation, with DeMayo serving as head writer.

Several cast members return from the original series, including Cal Dodd, Lenore Zann, George Buza, Catherine Disher, Chris Potter, Alison Sealy-Smith, Adrian Hough, Christopher Britton, and Alyson Court. A revival of the 1990s animated series was first discussed in 2019, with X-Men '97 formally announced in November 2021 along with the involvement of Marvel Studios Animation and DeMayo. It is the first X-Men project from Marvel Studios since the studio regained the film and television rights to the characters.

X-Men '97 is scheduled to premiere in early 2024 and will consist of ten episodes. A second season is in development.

Cast and characters

Catherine Disher, Chris Potter, Adrian Hough, and Alyson Court all return from the original series, voicing new roles.[4][5] Additionally, Anniwaa Buachie, JP Karliak, and Jeff Bennett have been cast in undisclosed roles.[4] The X-Men members Cable, Bishop, Morph, Nightcrawler,[6] and Forge will appear,[7] as will the Hellfire Club members Emma Frost and Sebastian Shaw, alongside Bolivar Trask.[6] Val Cooper also appears, with DeMayo saying she has "an agenda" with the team that would "slowly make itself known".[8] Lawrence Bayne, who was a voice actor in the original series, is set to appear in the second season.[9]

Production

Development

Larry Houston, the producer and director of the 1990s animated series X-Men: The Animated Series, stated in 2019 that he had discussed a revival of the series with Disney.[10] As Marvel Studios was developing the first season of What If...? (2021), executives began discussing what their next animated project could be, with a revival of X-Men: The Animated Series being the first of these ideas, to revisit those characters and its time period.[11]: 15:50–16:02  Brad Winderbaum, the head of streaming, television, and animation at Marvel Studios, said several filmmakers who had met with Marvel Studios in the past had cited the series as a "touchstone".[4] In late 2020, Beau DeMayo, who served as a writer for Marvel Studios' live-action series Moon Knight, was approached to present a pitch for a revival of the 1990s series.[12] By June 2021, Marvel Studios Animation was developing a slate of at least three series in addition to What If...? that,[13][14][15] as of August 2021, were in various stages of development and likely would not debut until 2023.[16]

X-Men '97, a revival and continuation of X-Men: The Animated Series, was announced in November 2021.[17][18] 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.[4] DeMayo was announced as head writer and executive producer,[5][4] with Jake Castorena as supervising director and Charley Feldman as supervising producer.[4] Houston and the original series' showrunners, Eric and Julia Lewald, serve as consultants on the revival,[19][4] assisting with "any red flags" that may arise, while also suggesting ideas of things they would like to see.[20] Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige, Vasquez-Eberhardt, and Winderbaum also serve as executive producers of the series.[21]

It is the first X-Men project from Marvel Studios since they regained the rights to the characters from 20th Century Fox,[22] which DeMayo said added pressure to the series due to the characters' and original animated series' large fanbase.[21] Eric and Julia Lewald believed Disney and Marvel Studios fast-tracking the revival was attributed to the success of the original series streaming on Disney+ and the artbook X-Men: The Art and Making of The Animated Series (2020).[23]: 55:47–56:48  X-Men '97 is believed to not be set within Marvel Studios' shared universe, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), since it continues the storylines of the original series,[22][24] though DeMayo noted the series would clarify its relationship to the MCU.[25] During Marvel Studios Animation's panel at the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con, X-Men '97 and the other projects discussed were introduced as being part of the "Marvel Animated Multiverse".[26] Work on a second season had already begun by July 2022,[6][7] with writing on the second season finale having started by July 2023.[27]

Writing

Eric Lewald described the series as "an extension" of the original series that the Marvel Studios team made "their own".[20] DeMayo and the writers tried to honor the "earnestness" and "emotional sincerity" that existed in the original series that 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 modern-day society, similarly to how the original reflected society of the 1990s,[28] with the series exploring whether Xavier's dream of mutant/human co-existence is relevant in the modern era.[29] DeMayo pitched the series as honoring the original while bringing it into the modern world, with Winderbaum noting that it would explore an emotional shift at the beginning of the new millennium. DeMayo discussed the series as a soap opera, which Winderbaum said was "really compelling" to executives.[11]: 19:09–19:48  Eric and Julia Lewald said there was a "ten-premise story arc" written for the first season, which Julia called their bible.[23]: 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",[4] and explores how they are changed by it,[11]: 19:09–19:48  while also "[building] off" Professor X's disappearance during the original series' finale and exploring other mysteries unexplained in the original series.[20][29] Rogue, Beast, Gambit, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Storm, Jubilee, and Cyclops return as the main team, now led by their former enemy Magneto.[8] Bishop and Morph also join the team,[30] while Nathaniel Essex / Mister Sinister serves as the main antagonist for the first season,[2] alongside the Sentinels.[30] 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.[31]

Casting and voice recording

With the series announcement, several original series voice actors were revealed to be returning: Cal Dodd (who originally voiced James "Logan" Howlett / Wolverine), Lenore Zann (who originally voiced Anna-Marie Raven / Rogue), George Buza (who originally voiced Henry "Hank" McCoy / Beast), Catherine Disher (who originally voiced Jean Grey), Chris Potter (who originally voiced Remy LeBeau / Gambit), Alison Sealy-Smith (who originally voiced Ororo Munroe / Storm), Adrian Hough (who originally voiced Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler), Christopher Britton (who originally voiced Nathaniel Essex / Mister Sinister), and Alyson Court (who originally voiced Jubilation Lee / Jubilee).[4][5] Dodd, Zann, Buza, Sealy-Smith, and Britton all reprise their roles,[3][1] while the others voice new roles.[4][5]

Ray Chase takes on the role of Scott Summers / Cyclops, following the death of original voice actor Norm Spencer;[32] Jennifer Hale replaces Disher as the voice of Jean Grey; 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 actress would voice the character instead; A. J. LoCascio replaces Potter as Remy LeBeau / Gambit;[1][5] Matthew Waterson voices Magneto;[3] and Gui Agustini voices Roberto da Costa / Sunspot.[1] Anniwaa Buachie, JP Karliak, and Jeff Bennett are cast in undisclosed roles.[4] Voice recordings for the series had begun by November 2021.[33]

Dodd revealed in February 2023 that he had started recording for the second season,[34] with Zann stating in August 2023 that she had begun recording material for the second season.[1] Lawrence Bayne, who was a voice actor in the original series, is set to have a role in the second season.[9]

Animation

The animation for the series is updated from the original series to use more sophisticated modern technology,[6][11]: 23:32–23:41  featuring "slightly modernized" designs.[20] Work on the animatics had begun by November 2021,[33] with full animation having begun by April 2023.[35] 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 added that other mutants' powers were also used in "unique ways" to convey their emotions.[27] The first season was in post-production by July 2023.[27]

Music

Original series composer Ron Wasserman was set to meet with Marvel and the crew about his involvement in the revival by early 2022,[23]: 1:03:07–1:03:27  but the Newton Brothers were announced to be the series' composers in July.[7] The main theme is similar to that of the original series, but it is credited to Haim Saban and Shuki Levy—the music executives on X-Men: The Animated Series—rather than Wasserman.[36] DeMayo described it as "that classic '90s sound with a little bit of a modern edge".[8] It 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.[36] Eric Lewald believed Marvel Studios paid a large amount for the rights to use the Animated Series theme, which had its rights "all over the place".[37]

Marketing

The series was discussed during Marvel Studios Animation's panel at the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con, where animatics were shown.[6] Footage from the series was shown a year later at the 2023 San Diego Comic-Con along with the reveal of Hasbro's Marvel Legends figures for the series.[30] In December 2023, Marvel Comics announced a four-issue comic book prequel series, also titled X-Men '97, written by Steve Foxe with art by Salva Espin, that was made in collaboration with the series' showrunners. Foxe noted that the comic was an "original tale that feeds right into" the animated series. The first issue is scheduled to be released on March 27, 2024. Foxe and Espin previously worked on X-Men '92: House of XCII.[38]

Release

X-Men '97 will premiere on Disney+ in early 2024,[39] and will consist of ten episodes.[20] It was originally scheduled to be released in late 2023.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Lovett, Jamie (August 15, 2023). "X-Men '97 Cast Gives Season 2 Update". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  2. 1 2 Dawe, Luke (March 21, 2023). "'X-Men '97' Main Villain Confirmed by Writer Beau DeMayo". Collider. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 Felt, Klein (June 1, 2023). "Disney+ X-Men Reboot Confirms 11 Main Actors". The Direct. Archived from the original on July 22, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023. – via "X-MEN '97 "EPISODE 101" (101)". United States Copyright Office. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Belt, Robyn (November 12, 2021). "Exclusive: Cast Announcement for 'X-Men '97' Coming to Disney+". Marvel.com. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Patches, Matt (November 12, 2021). "New X-Men cartoon set in the '90s Animated Series continuity coming to Disney Plus". Polygon. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Moreau, Jordan (July 22, 2022). "'X-Men '97' Gets First Nostalgic Look, Fall 2023 Release and Season 2". Variety. Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 Galuppo, Mia; Kit, Borys (July 22, 2022). "Spider-Man, X-Men and Zombies Wow Comic-Con at Marvel's First Animation Panel". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 Romano, Nick (July 22, 2022). "Of course the best superhero TV theme music will return for X-Men '97". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  9. 1 2 Flook, Ryan (June 1, 2023). "X-Men '97: Lawrence Bayne Confirms Season 2 Casting – But Voicing Who?". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on June 21, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  10. ↑ Marshall, Andrew (June 10, 2019). "X-Men: The Animated Series Creators Want to Revive Show With Disney". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on June 11, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Penagos, Ryan; Cink, Lorraine; Iglehart, James Monroe (November 12, 2021). "First Look at Disney+: X-Men '97, Spider-Man details!". This Week in Marvel (Podcast). Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021 – via Simplecast.
  12. ↑ Hermanns, Grant (October 23, 2022). "X-Men '97 Showrunner Shares His Most Important Marvel Writers Room Rule". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on October 23, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  13. ↑ Corvin, Ann-Marie (June 14, 2021). "Marvel's Victoria Alonso on Exploring Diversity and Inclusion through 'What If' and the Hunt for Global Animation Partnerships". Variety. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  14. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 4, 2021). "Walt Disney Animation Amps Up Production With New Vancouver Studio; First Project Is 'Moana' Musical Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  15. ↑ Lee, Chris (January 13, 2023). "Inside the VFX Union Brewing in Hollywood". Vulture. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023. Alonso heads up Marvel's dedicated "mini-studio," Marvel Studios Animation, which is behind such shows as What If ...? [...] and the summer 2022 series of Vin Diesel–voiced original shorts, I Am Groot.
  16. ↑ Vary, Adam B. (August 11, 2021). "Marvel Studios Planning 'Multiple' New Animated Series Following Debut of 'What If…?'". Variety. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  17. ↑ Couch, Aaron (November 12, 2021). "Disney+ Orders '90s 'X-Men' Revival, 'Marvel Zombies' and 'Spider-Man: Freshman Year'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  18. ↑ Kim, Matt (November 12, 2021). "X-Men '97 Is a Revival of the Original 90s Animated Series, Coming to Disney+ in 2023". IGN. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  19. ↑ Gonzalez, Umberto (November 12, 2021). "'X-Men '97': 1990s Marvel Animated Series Gets 2023 Revival on Disney+ (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 Bonomolo, Cameron (February 7, 2022). "X-Men '97 Producers Reveal Intel on X-Men: The Animated Series Revival". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  21. 1 2 Franco, Jack (April 29, 2022). "Moon Knight Writer Discusses Bringing the X-Men Back to Marvel". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on April 30, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  22. 1 2 Gartenberg, Chaim (November 12, 2021). "Marvel embraces the Sad Wolverine meme to announce X-Men '97, a new animated Disney Plus show". The Verge. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  23. 1 2 3 Nathan (April 19, 2022). "The 42cast Episode 148: The X-Men '97 Interview". The ESO Network (Podcast). The 42cast. Archived from the original on May 7, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  24. ↑ Keane, Sean (July 22, 2022). "X-Men '97 Brings Marvel Mutant Revival to Disney Plus in Fall 2023". CNET. Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  25. ↑ Barnhardt, Adam (May 3, 2022). "X-Men '97 Writer Reveals If Animated Series Is MCU Cannon". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  26. ↑ Moreau, Jordan (July 22, 2022). "'Marvel Zombies,' 'Spider-Man: Freshman Year,' 'What If?' Season 2 Get First Looks". Variety. Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  27. 1 2 3 Belt, Robyn (July 21, 2023). "SDCC 2023: Marvel Studios' 'X-Men '97' Update". Marvel.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  28. ↑ Milheim, Russ (April 25, 2022). "How Marvel Studios' X-Men '97 Reboot Differs From the Original Show (Exclusive)". The Direct. Archived from the original on May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  29. 1 2 Nolan, Liam (July 22, 2022). "SDCC: Marvel Studios Animation Panel Reveals Future of X-Men '97, What If and Marvel Zombies". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  30. 1 2 3 Schedeen, Jesse (July 24, 2023). "X-Men '97: 5 Things We Learned at Comic-Con 2023". IGN. Archived from the original on July 31, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  31. ↑ Behbakht, Andy (March 20, 2023). "Marvel's X-Men '97 Showrunner Reveals Plot Details For Disney+ Reboot". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  32. ↑ Valle, Ali (August 11, 2023). "Disney+ X-Men 97 Reboot Unveils 12 New Posters for Series' Main Characters". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on August 13, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  33. 1 2 Power of X-Men Podcast (November 15, 2021). Exclusive: X-Men Animated Series Creators Eric & Julia Lewald Discuss the New Disney Show, X-Men '97. Event occurs at 10:37. Retrieved February 12, 2022 – via YouTube.
  34. ↑ Brail, Nathaniel (February 17, 2023). "Marvel's X-Men '97 Series Confirms Production on Season 2". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  35. ↑ Keith, Jed W. (April 3, 2023). "Interview: Voice Actor Cal Dodd on Returning to Wolverine in X-Men '97". Freak Sugar. Archived from the original on April 24, 2023. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  36. 1 2 Francisco, Eric (July 13, 2022). "Ms. Marvel Credits Confirm That Huge X-Men Twist". Inverse. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  37. ↑ Bonomolo, Cameron (August 31, 2022). "Marvel Studios Negotiated for Rights to X-Men: The Animated Series Theme". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  38. ↑ Schedeen, Jesse (December 21, 2023). "Marvel Reveals X-Men '97 Prequel Comic". IGN. Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  39. ↑ Kit, Borys (September 1, 2023). "Marvel Shuffles TV Calendar with New Dates for 'Agatha,' 'Echo,' X-Men '97' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
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