X-Men '97

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For the original 1992–1997 animated series, see X-Men: The Animated Series.
X-Men '97
File:X-Men '97 logo.jpeg
Genre <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
Created by Beau DeMayo
Based on
Voices of <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
Theme music composer <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
Composer(s) The Newton Brothers
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
Production
Executive producer(s) <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
Production company(s) Marvel Studios Animation
Release
Original network Disney+
Chronology
Related shows X-Men: The Animated Series
External links
[{{#property:P856}} Website]

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 (1992–1997), continuing from where that series ends and showing the X-Men face dangerous new challenges following the loss of their leader, Professor X. X-Men '97 is produced by Marvel Studios Animation, with DeMayo serving as head writer for the first two seasons, and Jake Castorena as supervising director.

Several cast members return from the original series to reprise their roles or voice new characters, including Cal Dodd, Lenore Zann, George Buza, Catherine Disher, Chris Potter, Alison Sealy-Smith, Adrian Hough, Christopher Britton, Alyson Court, Lawrence Bayne, and Ron Rubin. The revival was first discussed in June 2019 and formally announced in November 2021; DeMayo and Castorena were involved by then. Chase Conley and Emi Yonemura also directed episodes. DeMayo was fired as head writer after completing work on the series' first two seasons in March 2024 ahead of the series' premiere. The series is the first X-Men project from Marvel Studios since the studio regained the film and television rights to the characters. Animation was provided by Studio Mir and is a modernized version of the original series' style.

X-Men '97 is scheduled to premiere its first two episodes on March 20, 2024, with the remainder of the ten-episode first season releasing weekly until May 15. A second season is in development.

Premise

Picking up after the events of X-Men: The Animated Series (1992–1997), the X-Men face dangerous new challenges following the loss of their leader, Professor X.[1]

Cast and characters

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Main article: List of X-Men: The Animated Series characters

Also starring in the series are Christopher Britton as Nathaniel Essex / Mister Sinister; Gui Agustini as Roberto da Costa / Sunspot; Ross Marquand as Professor Charles Xavier; Gil Birmingham as Daniel Lone Eagle / Forge; Eric Bauza as the Sentinels;[2] Catherine Disher as Valerie Cooper, a doctor with her own agenda;[2][4] Chris Potter as Nathan Summers / Cable; Lawrence Bayne as Carl Denti / X-Cutioner; Ron Rubin as Robert Edward Kelly, the president; and Alyson Court as Abcissa.[2] Additionally, Anniwaa Buachie and Jeff Bennett have been cast in undisclosed roles,[5] while Theo James has been cast as an undisclosed "fan-favorite" character.[2] The Hellfire Club members Emma Frost and Sebastian Shaw will appear, alongside Bolivar Trask.[6]

Episodes

No. Title [7] Directed by Written by Original release date [7]
1 "To Me, My X-Men" Jake Castorena[8] TBA March 20, 2024 (2024-03-20)
2 "Mutant Liberation Begins" TBA TBA March 20, 2024 (2024-03-20)
3 "Fire Made Flesh" TBA TBA March 27, 2024 (2024-03-27)
4 "Motendo / Lifedeath – Part 1" TBA TBA April 3, 2024 (2024-04-03)
5 "Remember It" TBA TBA April 10, 2024 (2024-04-10)
6 "Lifedeath – Part 2" TBA TBA April 17, 2024 (2024-04-17)
7 "Bright Eyes" TBA TBA April 24, 2024 (2024-04-24)
"Tolerance Is Extinction"

Chase Conley and Emi Yonemura also directed episodes.[2]

Production

Development

Larry Houston, the producer and director of the animated series X-Men: The Animated Series (1992–1997), said in June 2019 that he and the creative team were discussing a revival of the series with Disney. They wanted to continue the story from where the original series ended.[9] 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, a revival of X-Men: The Animated Series,[10]:15:50–16:02 was pitched by Brad Winderbaum, the head of streaming, television, and animation at Marvel Studios and a fan of the series himself;[11] he said several filmmakers who had met with Marvel Studios in the past had cited that series as a touchstone.[5] In late 2020, Beau DeMayo was approached to present a pitch for the revival after working as a writer for Marvel Studios' live-action Disney+ miniseries Moon Knight (2022).[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 not expected to be released 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.[5] DeMayo was announced as head writer and executive producer,[19][5] with Jake Castorena as supervising director and Charley Feldman as supervising producer.[5] Houston and the original series' showrunners, Eric and Julia Lewald, were consulting on the revival,[20][5] assisting with "any red flags" that may arise, while also suggesting ideas of things they would like to see.[21] The trio was contacted by Winderbaum shortly after the series was greenlight.[11] Chase Conley and Emi Yonemura also directed episodes of the series.[22] Marvel Studios' Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D'Esposito, and Victoria Alonso also serve as executive producers of the series.[22]

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,[23] which DeMayo said added pressure to the series due to the large existing fanbase for the characters and original animated series.[24] 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).[25]:55:47–56:48 X-Men '97 was reported to not be set within Marvel Studios' shared universe, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), since it continues the storylines of the original series,[23][26] which DeMayo later confirmed, saying the series was its own thing.[27] Within Marvel Comics' multiverse, the original series exists on Earth-92131.[28] 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".[29]

Work on a second season had begun by July 2022,[6][30] and writing on the second season finale started by July 2023.[31] DeMayo had completed his writing work on 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 would not be involved in further promotion for the series and would miss 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.[32]

Writing

Eric Lewald described the series as an extension of the original series that the Marvel Studios team had made their own.[21] 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.[33] The series explores whether Xavier's dream of mutant/human co-existence is relevant in the modern era,[34] and specifically focuses on the importance of empathy.[2] 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.[10]: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.[25]: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",[5] and explores how they are changed by it,[10]: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.[21][34] Rogue, Beast, Gambit, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Storm, Jubilee, and Cyclops return as the main team, now led by their former enemy Magneto.[4] Bishop joins the team and Morph rejoins it.[35] Nathaniel Essex / Mister Sinister serves as the main antagonist for the first season,[36] alongside the Sentinels.[35] 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.[37] Rogue was one of the characters that "emerged" unexpectedly as the creatives were working on the first season.[38]

The series retains some of the 1990s esthetics and campiness of the original series with its writing, such 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 be 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.[38] As with the original series, various comic storylines are adapted in the series, including "Lifedeath" from Uncanny X-Men #186 (1984).[39]

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).[5][19] Lawrence Bayne (who originally voiced Nathan Summers / Cable) and Ron Rubin (who originally voiced Morph) also return. Dodd, Zann, Buza, Sealy-Smith, Hough, and Britton all reprise their roles, while the others voice new roles. These include Disher as Valerie Cooper, Potter as Nathan Summers / Cable, Court as Abcissa, Bayne as Carl Denti / X-Cutioner, and Rubin as President Robert Edward Kelly.[2]

Ray Chase takes on the role of Scott Summers / Cyclops, following the death of original voice actor Norm Spencer;[2][40] Jennifer Hale replaces Disher as the voice of Jean Grey;[2] 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;[2][19] A. J. LoCascio replaces Potter as Remy LeBeau / Gambit; Matthew Waterson voices Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto; Gui Agustini voices Roberto da Costa / Sunspot; J. P. Karliak voices Morph; Isaac Robinson-Smith voices Lucan Bishop / Bishop; Ross Marquand voices Professor Charles Xavier; Gil Birmingham voices Daniel Lone Eagle / Forge; and Eric Bauza voices the Sentinels.[2] Anniwaa Buachie, Jeff Bennett,[5] and Theo James are cast in undisclosed roles.[2]

The recastings were done in part for more authentic representation (as with the case with Court and Jubilee), because of 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".[2]

Voice recording for the series began by November 2021.[41] Dodd revealed in February 2023 that he had started recording for the second season,[42] and Zann stated in August 2023 that she had begun recording material for the second season as well.[43] Bayne also returned for the second season.[44]

Animation

File:X-Men '97 character designs.png
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.[45]

Animation was provided by Studio Mir.[46] The series' 2D animation style was updated from the original series to use more sophisticated modern technology,[6][10]:23:32–23:41[45] and "slightly modernized" designs.[21] 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.[38]

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?"[2] 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.[45] 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.[31]

Work on the animatics had begun by November 2021,[41] and full animation began by April 2023.[47] Houston directed the new opening title sequence.[38] The first season was in post-production by July.[31]

Music

Original series composer Ron Wasserman was set to meet with Marvel and the crew about his involvement in the revival by early 2022,[25]:1:03:07–1:03:27 but the Newton Brothers were announced to be the series' composers in July.[30] 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.[48] DeMayo described it as "that classic '90s sound with a little bit of a modern edge".[4] 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.[48] 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".[49]

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.[35] 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.[50] Select X-Men comics released in March 2024 will have variant covers based on Hasbro's Marvel Legends figures for the series.[51]

A trailer was released on February 15, 2024, when the premiere date was announced,[2] 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.[52][53] Ben Travis, writing for Empire, also noted the nostalgia and music as well as the "narrative weight" suggested by the trailer's character details.[54] 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.[55] The trailer reportedly set an internal Disney record as the biggest trailer launch for an animated series on Disney+, surpassing the trailers for What If...? and the service's Star Wars animated series.[56] Later that month, Arcade1Up announced a home arcade cabinet themed around X-Men '97, featuring 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).[57] The first season's episode titles were announced with a poster in the style of a 1990s issue of TV Guide.[39]

Release

X-Men '97 will premiere on Disney+ on March 20, 2024, with its first two episodes. The remainder of the ten-episode first season will release weekly until May 15.[7] The series' world premiere was held in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on March 13, 2024, for the first three episodes.[32][58] The season was originally scheduled to be released in late 2023.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  50. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  52. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  56. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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External links

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