Our childhood is back, with the reveal of Marvel Studios’ X-Men ’97. The 90’s were a pretty great time for superhero animation. While we didn’t have nearly the amount of content that we do now, two animated shows kept every passionate geek going – Batman: The Animated Series and X-Men: The Animated Series. Both series were groundbreaking, told layered stories with our favorite superhero characters, and featured some iconic theme songs as well.
Fans of both endure today, and thankfully both series are available on streaming (X-Men on Disney+ and Batman on Max). And while streaming does allow those shows to live on, Marvel Studios is its part to bring back that loving feeling with X-Men ’97, coming March 20th to Disney+.
What’s even more exciting is that X-Men ’97 is a direct follow up to X-Men: The Animated Series, which originally ran from 1992 to 1997 (hence the aptly named title of the new series). However, the issues and challenges that everyone’s favorite mutant team deal with will be updated to reflect the current time.
In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly, head writer Beau DeMayo talked about the questions he tackled while creating the new series.
“It’s always interesting to take Xavier’s dream and turn it on its head,” DeMayo said to EW. “When I first came to this, I was thinking about what the world of the ’90s was like, even issues of social acceptance and what does it mean to be different? It was so much more simplistic than it is today. [The X-Men] spent years telling humanity to embrace the future, walk into the future together. What happens when they get hit with a future they didn’t see coming? What does it feel like to be on the other end when you feel like that future is leaving you behind?”
The X-Men have always been considered true “social justice warriors,” and it’s refreshing that DeMayo doesn’t seem to be shying away from that perspective for the team.
As the series is a direct sequel to the original, many of the original voice cast are returning to their original roles as well, including Cal Dodd (Wolverine), Alison Sealy-Smith (Storm), George Buza (Beast), Adrian Hough (Nightcrawler), Lenore Zann (Rogue) and Chris Britton (Mister Sinister).
Joining the veteran crew will be Ray Chase (Cyclops), Jennifer Hale (Jean Grey), AJ LoCascio (Gambit), Holly Chou (Jubilee), JP Karliak (Morph), Isaac Robinson-Smith (Bishop), Matthew Waterson (Magneto), Ross Marquand (Professor X), Gui Augustini (Sunspot), Gil Birmingham (Forge), and the legendary Looney Tunes voice, Eric Bauza (The Sentinels).
According to Entertainment Weekly, White Lotus star Theo James is voicing a secret “fan favorite” character as well.
Check out some newly release stills from the upcoming show. X-Men ’97 premieres March 20th on Disney+!
About X-Men ’97:
“X-Men’97” revisits the iconic era of the 1990s as The X-Men, a band of mutants who use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them, are challenged like never before, forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future. The voice cast includes Ray Chase as Cyclops, Jennifer Hale as Jean Grey, Alison Sealy-Smith as Storm, Cal Dodd as Wolverine, JP Karliak as Morph, Lenore Zann as Rogue, George Buza as Beast, AJ LoCascio as Gambit, Holly Chou as Jubilee, Isaac Robinson-Smith as Bishop, Matthew Waterson as Magneto and Adrian Hough as Nightcrawler. Beau DeMayo serves as head writer; episodes are directed by Jake Castorena, Chase Conley and Emi Yonemura. Featuring music by The Newton Brothers, the series is executive produced by Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso and DeMayo.
ABOUT MARVEL ANIMATION
Marvel Animation is an award-winning studio dedicated to creating original animated series inspired by over 85 years of Marvel storytelling. Shows include “What If…?,” “I Am Groot” and the upcoming “X-Men ’97,” among others. Marvel Animation is part of Marvel Studios.
ABOUT DISNEY+
Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, along with The Simpsons and much more. In select international markets, it also includes the general entertainment content brand, Star, and in the U.S., Disney Bundle subscribers can also access extensive Hulu content, including next day TV and Hulu Original titles, on Disney+. The flagship direct-to-consumer streaming service from The Walt Disney Company, Disney+ offers an ever-growing collection of exclusive originals, including feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series, and short-form content. With unprecedented access to Disney’s long history of incredible film and television entertainment, Disney+ is also the exclusive streaming home for the newest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. Disney+ is available as a standalone streaming service, as part of the Disney Bundle in the U.S. that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, or as part of Combo+ in Latin America with Star+, the standalone general entertainment and sports streaming service in the region. For more, visit disneyplus.com, or find the Disney+ app on most mobile and connected TV devices.
Ron is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of POC Culture. He is a big believer in the power and impact of pop culture and the importance of representation in media.