X-Men '97 Release Window, Cast, Writer And More Details
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Rejoice, fans of Marvel's merry mutants: The beloved '90s cartoon "X-Men: The Animated Series" is returning in the form "X-Men '97," a Disney+ streaming series. The original show made a major mark on '90s kids all around the world with its bold animation, dramatic storytelling, and innovative adaptation of the original comics. Years later, it still remains a topic of discussion and inspires critical acclaim. This is especially impressive, given its rather tumultuous time on air. Suffice it to say, TV execs weren't always kind to "X-Men: The Animated Series"; it had to fight for every single dramatic plot point it portrayed.
Now, all that strife is behind us, and we can look forward to a future full of animated X-Men goodness. But what will "X-Men '97" actually be about? Will it further the original series' storyline? Will it update the visuals to reflect modern aesthetics, or will it stick to the classic look? We're here to answer all those questions, and more. This is everything you need to know about "X-Men '97."
When will X-Men '97 be released?
"X-Men '97" doesn't yet have a hard and fast release date. It does, however, have a rough release window: early 2024. This wasn't always the case — "X-Men '97" was originally scheduled to debut in fall 2023. But then, Disney decided to put the brakes on its speeding train of streaming projects, delaying many of them a year or two into the future. The strikes that brought Hollywood to a standstill in 2023 took a toll as well.
Some fans might be disappointed in these delays. Others might be worried more are coming. While that may indeed come to pass, we should all take heart in the enthusiasm Disney clearly has for this series. Kevin Feige gave potent voice to it in November 2023 when he told ET, "The X-Men are a solid and rich and great concept ... The return of the animated series ['X-Men '97'] next year — which we're very excited about and I saw some new final episodes today which really bring you back to that core of who the X-Men are and that soap opera that those characters represent." This certainly seems to imply the series is on track to meet its early 2024 release window.
Also encouraging are the variant covers Marvel Comics will release in February 2024. That month, many of the publisher's most popular titles will come clad in a 1997-style cover, featuring beloved characters in the era's distinctive aesthetic. This is an open tie-in to the upcoming cartoon, and seems to imply it will debut very close to — or perhaps within — that month.
What is the plot of X-Men '97?
"X-Men: The Animated Series" ends on a complicated note. The mutants are enduring the sudden absence of Professor X, who has become ill and been taken to the Shi'ar empire to find a cure. In the wake of his departure, the team brokers an uneasy alliance with Magneto. As creator Beau DeMayo told The Direct, "X-Men '97" begins from this open-ended moment. "We're gonna be picking up about several months after Professor X left Earth after being shot by Henry Gyrich and had to return to the Shi'ar homeworld to be with Lilandra," DeMayo explained. "And what ends up happening is that assassination attempt has led to this wave of increased sympathy towards mutants and understanding."
This reaction catches the X-Men off guard. Some, like Storm and Cyclops, want to use this support to further Professor X's vision of harmony. Others, like Jean Grey, Gambit, and Rogue, begin to question their way of life entirely. Perhaps most shockingly of all, Magneto's turn for the ethical seems to stick. The question facing them all is simultaneously simple and hugely complex: How should they head into their future?
Philosophy isn't the only conundrum facing them though — they've also got bad guys to fight. DeMayo specifically names Mister Sinister, a longtime X-Men foe, as a major antagonist. Tie-in toys, released in advance of the series, have revealed other upcoming villains, including Madelyne Pryor, aka the Goblin Queen, and X-Cutioner. The former makes a lot of sense; Madelyne, who is a clone of Jean Grey, was created by Mister Sinister. X-Cutioner is more of a wild card, and is described by the toy's packaging as a mercenary out for mutant blood.
Who is starring in X-Men '97?
One of the most exciting aspects of "X-Men '97" is the fact that much of the original "X-Men: The Animated Series" cast will be returning to star in it. Series staples Cal Dodd (Wolverine), Lenore Zann (Rogue), George Buza (Beast), Alison Sealey-Smith (Storm), and Chris Britton (Mister Sinister) are all set to return. They'll work alongside newer cast members, like Jennifer Hale (Jean Grey) and Ray Chase (Cyclops), both of whom are well-regarded for their voice-over work.
You might assume the series' veteran voice actors simply agreed to work on the show. In fact, they had to audition for the roles they once held. As Dodd explained at the 2023 Uncanny Experience convention (via Popverse), "They have to hold auditions, it's a brand new series, and you have to make it fair for everyone." The powers that be also tried to maintain some mystery regarding the nature of the project these actors were reading for. This fell flat with Alyson Court, however, who remarked, "I looked at the lines and said, 'Oh, these are Rogue lines.'"
Notably, these characters might look a bit different than fans remember. As original series showrunner Eric Lewald told ComicBook.com, "[The show's visual design is] the same but slightly modernized ... a bit more beautiful." The glimpses we've gotten of the series' associated toys bear this out — these heroes and baddies look largely the same, if a bit streamlined.
Who is writing X-Men '97?
Beau DeMayo is the mastermind of "X-Men '97," serving as the series' creator, executive producer, and head writer. DeMayo's credits are impressive and varied. He's served as a writer on "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds," "Moon Knight," "The Witcher," and "The Originals." He also acted as a producer on a number of those projects. DeMayo won't be acting alone — in fact, the original cartoon's showrunners, Eric and Julia Lewald, and the series director, Larry Houston, will be on hand as consultants.
While revivals like this sometimes cause friction between the old and new creators, this doesn't seem to be the case with "X-Men '97." In fact, the old guard seems downright excited. "They want it to be an extension [of the original cartoon]," noted Eric Lewald (via ComicBook.com). "Whoever it is doing this new show is going to make it their own, no matter who is involved in it. There is great love and affection and respect from an entire group of people that are doing this show, starting at the top with Beau DeMayo, who's the showrunner ... These are real superfans, really respectful superfans of the show, extending the show into new places. We couldn't have asked for a better setup than that." Now that sounds like a winning formula.
Will there be an X-Men '97 Season 2?
As we're still waiting for "X-Men '97" Season 1 to premiere, it might seem a little ridiculous to already be considering a potential Season 2. But in fact, there's good reason to look ahead into this project's future. For one thing, there's a whole lot of enthusiasm about this series among the bigwigs at Marvel and Disney. For another, we've already got some indication that Season 2 is actively underway.
In a since-deleted Tweet preserved by Bleeding Cool, Wolverine voice actor Cal Dodd enthused, "Yesterday. Studio. Season 2. GREAT session!" What's more, he included a brief video, in which he remarked, "The beginning of Season 2. I say, just the beginning. Strap your seatbelts on, bub. Later." If Season 2 is already far enough along to require recording sessions, fans should go ahead and get excited for this series' future.
Where to watch the original X-Men animated series
With "X-Men '97" on the horizon, fans of the original animated series are likely to want a refresher course. Newbies who've never encountered the beloved cartoon are also eager to dive into it, lest they miss out on all things Marvel. Both groups are in luck — it's never been easier to watch "X-Men: The Animated Series." The entire saga is available to stream on Disney+.
Don't have Disney+? You're not totally out of luck. Amazon Prime offers individual episodes for $1.99 and entire seasons for $14.99. Microsoft and Vudu also offer the series at the same price point. Go ahead and get watching — "X-Men '97" will be out before we know it.