Draft:X-Men '97 season 1

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

X-Men '97
Season 1
Starring
No. of episodes10
Release
Original networkDisney+
Original releaseMarch 20 (2024-03-20) –
May 15, 2024 (2024-05-15)

The first season of the American animated television series X-Men '97 is based on the Marvel Comics superhero team X-Men. The series is a revival of X-Men: The Animated Series (1992–1997), continuing the story of the X-Men following the loss of their leader, Professor Charles Xavier. In the season, the X-Men face the threat of a new Sentinel program created by Mister Sinister and Bastion. It was produced by Marvel Studios Animation, with Beau DeMayo as head writer and Jake Castorena as supervising director.

Ray Chase, Jennifer Hale, Alison Sealy-Smith, Cal Dodd, J. P. Karliak, Lenore Zann, George Buza, A. J. LoCascio, Holly Chou, Isaac Robinson-Smith, Matthew Waterson, Ross Marquand, and Adrian Hough star as members of the X-Men. Sealy-Smith, Dodd, Zann, Buza, and Hough reprised their roles from the original series. The revival was announced in November 2021, with DeMayo and Castorena attached. DeMayo wanted to continue the original series' soap opera-style relationship drama and update its social commentary to match contemporary society. The season adapts several comic book storylines, including 2001's "E Is for Extinction" by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely as part of developing the X-Men for a post-9/11 audience. Voice recording and animation work began by the official announcement, with the animation being provided by Studio Mir and Tiger Animation.

The season premiered on the streaming service Disney+ on March 20, 2024, with its first two episodes. The other eight episodes were released weekly until May 15. A second season was confirmed in July 2022.[1][2]

Episodes[edit]

No.Title [3]Directed byWritten byOriginal release date [3]
1"To Me, My X-Men"Jake CastorenaBeau DeMayoMarch 20, 2024 (2024-03-20)
One year after Henry Peter Gyrich's assassination attempt on Professor Charles Xavier led to Xavier leaving Earth with the alien Shi'ar and being presumed dead,[a] the X-Men continue his mission of defending mutants and humans alike. Xavier's supposed death has led to the X-Men being legally sanctioned by the United Nations (UN). They save a young mutant, Roberto da Costa, from the anti-mutant group Friends of Humanity (FoH) who are using Sentinel technology. To find Sentinel creator Bolivar Trask, the X-Men visit Gyrich in prison and Jean Grey probes his mind using the machine Cerebro to amplify her psychic abilities. She locates Trask at a junkyard in the Sahara, but also receives a horrifying premonition. The X-Men destroy the remains of several Sentinels and a Master Mold supercomputer at the junkyard and apprehend Trask. Cyclops and a pregnant Jean announce that they are leaving the X-Men to raise their son in safety. They are interrupted by their former adversary Magneto, who reveals that Xavier gave him control of the X-Men and Xavier's school for mutants in his last will and testament.
2"Mutant Liberation Begins"Chase ConleyBeau DeMayoMarch 20, 2024 (2024-03-20)
Magneto begins saving both humans and mutants, and refrains from killing anti-mutant militants. A distrustful Cyclops and Jean decide to stay with the X-Men while Rogue sympathizes with Magneto's struggles. When UN forces led by Dr. Valerie Cooper attempt to arrest Magneto for his past terrorism, he agrees to surrender and face trial to prove himself. During his trial at the UN's headquarters, the FoH stage an attack. Their leader, X-Cutioner, shoots at Magneto with a depowering radiation blast; Storm takes the hit for him and loses her abilities. Jean goes into labor and Rogue is forced to absorb an obstetrician's knowledge when he refuses to deliver a mutant's baby. Jean gives birth to a son whom she and Cyclops name Nathan. After Magneto apprehends X-Cutioner and stops the assault, he is pardoned and discussions begin for the mutant nation Genosha to join the UN. Beast tells Storm that the blast depowered her permanently, and she leaves the team to find new meaning in life. While discussing her decision, the X-Men are surprised by the sudden arrival of a woman who looks identical to Jean.
3"Fire Made Flesh"Emi YonemuraBeau DeMayo and Charley FeldmanMarch 27, 2024 (2024-03-27)
Beast determines that the Jean look-alike is actually the real Jean Grey. The villainous Mister Sinister contacts the other Jean, revealing her to be a clone he created to gain access to her and Cyclops's DNA. Sinister takes control of her mind, turning her into the Goblin Queen. She gives Nathan to Sinister and subjects the X-Men to horrific visions based on their own fears. Morph, who was previously corrupted and controlled by Sinister, leads the X-Men to one of Sinister's labs where they find him infecting Nathan with a techno-organic virus under the belief that it will make the child invincible. The real Jean confronts the Goblin Queen telepathically and uses their shared memories to free her from Sinister's control. The clone Jean and Cyclops save Nathan, who is left gravely ill, while Sinister escapes. The clone Jean gives Nathan to the X-Men's time-traveling ally Bishop so he can try to find a cure for the virus in the future. She then takes on the name Madelyne Pryor and leaves the team. Elsewhere, a mutant named Forge introduces himself to Storm and claims that he can restore her powers.
4"Motendo"Chase ConleyBeau DeMayo and Charley FeldmanApril 3, 2024 (2024-04-03)
"Lifedeath – Part 1"

Jubilee wants to celebrate her 18th birthday at the arcade, but Magneto refuses and tells the team to focus on their training. Roberto consoles Jubilee, who is surprised to find a new "Motendo" video game console in her room. The pair are pulled into a video game based on her previous adventures, created by the alien slave-master Mojo who feeds off audience engagement. Jubilee enjoys reliving her past missions, but is convinced by Abscissa—an older digital copy of herself from the game's beta version—that she would be living an empty life. Abscissa helps Jubilee and Roberto defeat Mojo, and the pair return to the real world. Jubilee kisses Roberto.

Forge takes Storm to his ranch where he has created a machine that can restore her powers, though it seemingly fails. Storm notices a strange owl flying around the ranch. When Forge admits that he designed the technology which mutant inhibitor collars and X-Cutioner's radiation gun were based on, Storm leaves in anger. The owl reveals itself to be a demon called the Adversary. It brings Storm back to the ranch and poisons Forge.
5"Remember It"Emi YonemuraBeau DeMayoApril 10, 2024 (2024-04-10)
Unable to tell which memories belong to her and which belong to Madelyne, Jean reveals her emotional confusion to Wolverine and kisses him. He rejects her advances and tells her to talk with Cyclops, who she discovers has been communicating telepathically with Madelyne. Magneto, Rogue, and Gambit travel to Genosha, where the Genoshan council asks Magneto to lead the country; he agrees on the condition that Rogue leads with him. Rogue explains to Gambit that she had a secret relationship with Magneto when she was younger, as his abilities allow her to touch him without hurting him which she cannot do with Gambit. At a gala celebrating Genosha joining the UN, Rogue kisses Magneto and realizes that she made a mistake choosing him over Gambit. The time-traveling Cable arrives and Madelyne realizes that he is an adult Nathan. Cable is sent back to the future before he can warn everyone of what is coming: an upgraded Master Mold and army of Sentinels attack Genosha and kill thousands of mutants. Gambit sacrifices himself to destroy the Master Mold, leaving Rogue heartbroken.
6"Lifedeath – Part 2"Chase ConleyCharley FeldmanApril 17, 2024 (2024-04-17)
During a war between the Shi'ar and Kree empires, Shi'ar empress Lilandra Neramani announces her engagement to a now-healed Xavier. Refusing to accept her sister marrying a Terran, Deathbird invokes the Rite of M'Dashaa and challenges Xavier to purge all of his memories of Earth to prove his loyalty to the Shi'ar. Xavier's refusal to renounce his memories of the X-Men results in a battle between the Shi'ar Imperial Guard and Deathbird's supporters until Xavier pulls everyone into the astral plane to educate them on coexistence. When this lesson is interrupted by a psychic vision of Gambit's death, Xavier decides to return to Earth. At the ranch, Forge uses his mother's spell book to expel the demon and then Storm helps him search for a rare cactus that can cure the poison. Storm finds the cactus in a cave, but is cornered by the Adversary once again. Overcoming her fears, Storm regains her powers and defeats the Adversary. Storm heals Forge, and then they learn about the attack on Genosha. Elsewhere, a terrified Trask is confronted by the person responsible for the attack: Mister Sinister.
7"Bright Eyes"Emi-Emmett YonemuraCharley Feldman and JB BallardApril 24, 2024 (2024-04-24)
As the X-Men hold a funeral for Gambit, Rogue angrily searches for Gyrich and Trask. After gaining information from General Thunderbolt Ross and Captain America, Rogue finds Gyrich in Mexico and absorbs his memories. Gyrich is killed later that night by a mysterious man who is working with Sinister. While assisting in the recovery efforts at Genosha, the X-Men are contacted by Trask who tells them that he is in Madripoor. They get Rogue on the way. Roberto and Jubilee visit Roberto's mother and tell her that he is a mutant. She asks him to keep his identity a secret. In Madripoor, the X-Men learn that Sinister and a mysterious "OZT" organization have been developing a highly advanced Sentinel program. Rogue drops Trask to his death, unknowingly activating programming that turns him into a human–Sentinel hybrid. Cable arrives, defeats Trask, and explains that Sinister is working with a greater threat that they must stop. This threat is Bastion, who reveals to Sinister that Xavier is alive in space and that Magneto, presumed dead in the Genosha attack, is also alive and is Bastion's prisoner.
8"Tolerance Is Extinction"TBATBAMay 1, 2024 (2024-05-01)
9TBATBAMay 8, 2024 (2024-05-08)
10TBATBAMay 15, 2024 (2024-05-15)

Cast and characters[edit]

See also: List of X-Men: The Animated Series characters
  • Ray Chase as Scott Summers / Cyclops:
    The mutant field leader of the X-Men whose eyes emit powerful beams of concussive energy.[5] Cyclops is prepared to lead the X-Men after the loss of Xavier, before Magneto takes that role.[6] Chase replaces Cyclops's original voice actor Norm Spencer, who died in 2020.[7] Chase had not seen the original series when he auditioned, and was provided clips and references for the character's voice to base his performance on. After being cast, he watched the original series and listened to interviews of Spencer.[6]
  • Jennifer Hale as Jean Grey:
    A powerful telepathic and telekinetic mutant who is married to Cyclops, and was once the host of the cosmic entity Phoenix Force.[5] Her relationship with Cyclops is complicated by Wolverine's feelings for her.[6] Hale, who previously voiced the character in the television series Wolverine and the X-Men, replaces original series voice actor Catherine Disher,[7] and based her performance on Disher's voice.[6] Hale also voices Madelyne Pryor / Goblin Queen, a mutant clone of Jean created by Mister Sinister. Madelyne gives birth to Cyclops's son, Nathan, which further complicates his relationship with Jean. Hale used a slightly different tone when voicing Madelyne to separate her from Jean.[6]
  • Alison Sealy-Smith as Ororo Munroe / Storm:
    A powerful mutant who can control the weather and is described as a "goddess".[5] Sealy-Smith reprises her role from the original series.[7] She also voices the Adversary, a demon that feeds on negative emotions.[8]
  • Cal Dodd as James "Logan" Howlett / Wolverine:
    A hotheaded mutant with a regenerative healing factor, heightened senses, retractable claws, and an adamantium-laced skeleton.[5] Dodd reprises his role from the original series.[7]
  • J. P. Karliak as Morph:
    A mutant metamorph who can change their voice and appearance to that of any person. Morph's base design has changed from the original series to a "pale, hairless, and blankly-featured" look similar to the version of the character seen in the "Age of Apocalypse" comic book storyline and the Exiles comic book.[9] Morph identifies as non-binary,[9] but the series does not explicitly use that term or gender-neutral pronouns because these were not common in the 1990s.[10][11] Karliak replaces Morph's original voice actor Ron Rubin.[11]
  • Lenore Zann as Rogue:
    A mutant who absorbs the memories, powers, and energy of those she touches.[5] The series reveals that Rogue had a secret romantic relationship with Magneto when she was younger, causing friction in her current relationship with Gambit.[12] Zann reprises her role from the original series.[7]
  • George Buza as Dr. Henry "Hank" McCoy / Beast:
    A blue-furred mutant genius with superhuman strength and agility.[5] Buza reprises his role from the original series.[7]
  • A. J. LoCascio as Remy LeBeau / Gambit:
    A mutant and former thief who can charge objects with explosive kinetic energy, including his signature playing cards.[5] Gambit's actions in the early episodes—including wearing a crop top and taking his shirt off, and his relationship with Rogue—were intended to endear the audience to him before his death at the end of the fifth episode.[13] LoCascio replaces Gambit's original voice actor Chris Potter.[7]
  • Holly Chou as Jubilation Lee / Jubilee:
    The youngest member of the X-Men who can create firework-like explosions.[5] Chou replaces Jubilee's original voice actor Alyson Court, who previously said she would not reprise the role and would prefer that an Asian-American actor take it.[14] Court instead voices Abscissa, an older version of Jubilee from the "Motendo" video game world.[15]
  • Isaac Robinson-Smith as Lucas Bishop:
    A mutant from a dystopian future with the ability to absorb kinetic energy and redirect it into concussive blasts.[5] Robinson-Smith replaces Bishop's original voice actor Philip Akin.[7]
  • Matthew Waterson as Erik "Magnus" Lehnsherr / Magneto:
    A powerful mutant who controls magnetism. Magneto is given control of the X-Men in the last will and testament of Charles Xavier.[16][5] Waterson replaces Magneto's original voice actor David Hemblen, who died in 2020.[7]
  • Ross Marquand as Professor Charles Xavier:
    The founder of the X-Men who was taken to space to be healed by the Shi'ar Empire following an assassination attempt.[4][17] Marquand replaces Xavier's original voice actor Cedric Smith. Coincidentally, both actors previously provided the voice for Marvel villain Red Skull in different projects.[17]
  • Adrian Hough as Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler:
    A religious, blue mutant with teleporting abilities and prehensile hands and feet. Hough reprises his role from the original series in X-Men '97, which includes the character's playfulness from the comics.[18] Hough also voices the mutant Strong Guy.[citation needed]

Recurring guests in the first season include Gui Agustini as Roberto da Costa, a young mutant rescued by the X-Men who can channel solar energy;[19] Catherine Disher—who voiced Jean Grey in the original series—as Dr. Valerie Cooper, a United Nations official and ally of the X-Men;[19][20] Gavin Hammon as Sentinel creator Dr. Bolivar Trask,[21] replacing original voice actor Brett Halsey,[22] as well as Shi'ar chancellor Lord Araki;[citation needed] Eric Bauza as the Master Mold supercomputer and the mutant-hunting Sentinels, replacing original voice actor David Fox who died in 2021;[19] Donna Jay Fulks as news reporter Trish Tilby,[23] as well as the mutants Tommy and Amelia Voght (replacing Amelia's original voice actor Susan Roman);[citation needed] Christopher Britton as Dr. Nathaniel Essex / Mister Sinister, a genetic scientist from Victorian era-London who has enhanced himself using mutant DNA, reprising his role from the original series;[7][19] and Gil Birmingham as Forge, a mutant who can invent advanced technology, replacing original voice actor Marc Strange who died in 2012.[24]

Actors who voice multiple characters in the season include Todd Haberkorn, who voices former government agent Henry Peter Gyrich who attempted to assassinate Xavier,[25] replacing Gyrich's original voice actor Barry Flatman;[22] and Ronan the Accuser, a high-ranking member of the Kree Empire.[21] David Errigo Jr. voices Leech, a young Morlock who can nullify other mutants' powers, replacing original voice actor John Stocker;[26] Mojo, an interdimensional media mogul from the Mojoverse who uses the X-Men to fuel his power, replacing original voice actor Peter Wildman;[27] Sean Cassidy / Banshee, an Irish mutant with a sonic scream who serves on the council of Genosha,[23] replacing original actor Phillip Williams;[citation needed] and Gladiator, the Strontian leader of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard,[21] replacing original voice actor Richard Eden.[citation needed] Courtenay Taylor voices Callisto, the leader of the Morlocks,[23] replacing original voice actor Susan Roman;[citation needed] and Illyana Rasputina / Magik / Darkchylde, a mutant sorcerer, replacing original voice actor Tara Strong.[citation needed] Martha Marion voices Emma Frost, a former member of the Inner Circle Club who now serves on the council of Genosha,[1] replacing original voice actor Tracey Moore;[citation needed] and Dr. Moira MacTaggert, a Scottish geneticist who serves on the council of Genosha,[23] replacing original voice actor Lally Cadeau.[citation needed]

Additional guest stars include Lawrence Bayne, who voiced Cable in the original series, as Carl Denti / X-Cutioner, the leader of the anti-mutant group Friends of Humanity;[19][28] Christine Uhebe as Roberto's mother Nina da Costa; Kimberly Woods as Bishop's younger sister Shard,[29] replacing original voice actor Kay Tremblay;[citation needed] Abby Trott as Spiral, Mojo's personal assistant, replacing original voice actor Cynthia Belliveau who retired in 2002;[27][30] Chris Potter, who voiced Gambit in the original series, as Nathan Summers / Cable, the son of Cyclops and Madelyne Pryor who was taken to the future as an infant after being infected with a techno-organic virus;[7] Travis Willingham as Sebastian Shaw, a former member of the Inner Circle Club who now serves on the council of Genosha, replacing original voice actor David Bryant;[31] Morla Gorrondonna as Lilandra Neramani, the empress of the Shi'ar Empire,[21] replacing original voice actor Camilla Scott;[22] Cari Kabinoff as Deathbird, the sister to Lilandra;[21] Theo James as Bastion;[32] and Ron Rubin, who voiced Morph in the original series, as U.S. president Robert Kelly,[19] replacing original voice actor Len Carlson who died in 2006.[33] Josh Keaton and Michael Patrick McGill reprise their respective roles as Steve Rogers / Captain America and Thunderbolt Ross from the series What If...? (2021–present).[34] Bayne voiced Captain America in the original series.[35]

Production[edit]

Development[edit]

X-Men '97, a revival and continuation of X-Men: The Animated Series (1992–1997), was announced by Marvel Studios Animation in November 2021.[36][37] Beau DeMayo was set as head writer and executive producer,[14][38] with Jake Castorena as supervising director and Charley Feldman as supervising producer.[38] The Animated Series producer and director Larry Houston and showrunners Eric and Julia Lewald were consulting on the revival.[38][39] Castorena, Chase Conley, and Emi Yonemura directed episodes of the first season. Marvel Studios' Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D'Esposito, and Victoria Alonso also served as executive producers.[40]

Writing[edit]

By April 2022, the Lewalds had seen premises for all 10 episodes and several completed scripts as well as the series' bible,[41]: 1:06:17–1:06:32  which confirms that—as with the original series and the comic books—the revival's central ethos is the X-Men are allegories for people who face prejudice and discrimination.[42] Eric Lewald described X-Men '97 as an extension of the original series that the Marvel Studios team had made their own,[43] while Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, VP of animation at Marvel Studios, said the original series "embraced action, soap opera and serious topics", and the revival would do the same.[44] DeMayo wanted to honor the original series while bringing it into the modern world,[45]: 19:09–19:48  hoping to retain its earnestness, emotional sincerity, and focus on found family while updating the social commentary to reflect contemporary society.[46] The new series explores whether Xavier's dream of mutant/human co-existence and his focus on empathy are still relevant to modern audiences,[19][47] with DeMayo feeling that issues of social acceptance had become more complicated since the 1990s.[19]

The season begins a year after the loss of Professor X during the original series' finale.[16] Cyclops, Jean Grey, Storm, Wolverine, Rogue, Beast, Gambit, and Jubilee return as members of the X-Men, now led by their former adversary Magneto.[20] Joining the team in the season are Bishop, a time-traveling ally of the X-Men; Morph, who rejoins after their death and resurrection in the original series;[48] and Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler. Winderbaum said fans remembered these three characters as being more important in the original series than they actually were, and the creatives wanted to make-up for that by elevating them in the revival.[49] The X-Men question their future after Xavier's loss and a subsequent increase in sympathy towards mutants. Cyclops and Storm want to continue Xavier's dream but others, such as Jean Grey, want to build new lives. Magneto is moved by the growing mutant sympathy and wants to follow in Xavier's footsteps as the team's leader.[50] The main antagonists for the season are the returning Mister Sinister and the Sentinels,[48][51] along with new villain Bastion.[32]

DeMayo said the original series' melodrama and exploration of character relationships was key to its success and set it apart from other animated series at the time,[52] which Marvel executives felt was a compelling approach to the material.[45]: 19:09–19:48  X-Men '97 also retains the campiness of the original series in its writing, such as Storm announcing her attacks and Rogue using "syrupy" Southern metaphors and analogies. DeMayo found it particularly difficult to write for Rogue, who developed in ways that he did not initially plan for throughout the season; and for Jubilee, who was introduced as a representative for younger audiences in the 1990s and needed to remain relevant for younger audiences in the modern day. DeMayo was more comfortable writing for Beast, whose scientific terms are similar to the writer's work on the series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022–present).[52]

As with the original series, various comic book storylines were adapted for the season. The Animated Series was primarily influenced by Chris Claremont's run on the comics from the mid-1970s to the early 1990s, and X-Men '97 continues to adapt stories from that era as well as elements from later in the 1990s and into Grant Morrison's early 2000s run.[53] "The Trial of Magneto" from Uncanny X-Men #200 (1985), by Claremont and John Romita Jr., is adapted in the second episode.[42] The third episode is a condensed version of the comic book crossover event "Inferno" (1989).[54] The "Lifedeath" storyline from Uncanny X-Men #186 (1984), by Claremont and Barry Windsor-Smith, is adapted in the fourth and sixth episodes;[54][55] the fourth episode contains two mini-episodes, the first part of "Lifedeath" and also "Motendo" which is an homage to the 1992 X-Men arcade game.[54][56]

Central to DeMayo's pitch for the revival was the idea that the original series was made in a "simple [time] of right and wrong, where questions about identity and social justice had relatively clear cut answers", but the people who grew-up watching the original had since experienced 9/11, a rise in populist movements, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other traumatic events. DeMayo particularly highlighted the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting which had personally impacted him as a gay man who had partied at that club. He wanted the X-Men to go through a similarly traumatic event and face "the realities of an adult and unsafe world" just like the audience of the original series had, which led to the attack on the mutant nation of Genosha in the fifth episode.[13] This is based on the "E Is for Extinction" storyline from New X-Men #115 (2001) by Morrison and Frank Quitely,[57][58] though the attack is not perpetrated by Cassandra Nova as in that comic.[59] Following the fifth episode, the X-Men have to decide how they will change in response to the attack and whether social healing or social justice is needed.[13]

Casting and voice recording[edit]

X-Men '97 features several new actors taking on roles from the original series, including Ray Chase as Cyclops, Jennifer Hale as Jean Grey, J. P. Karliak as Morph, and A. J. LoCascio as Gambit

With the revival's announcement, several voice actors were revealed to be returning from the original series: Cal Dodd (James "Logan" Howlett / Wolverine), Lenore Zann (Rogue), George Buza (Henry "Hank" McCoy / Beast), Catherine Disher (Jean Grey), Chris Potter (Remy LeBeau / Gambit), Alison Sealy-Smith (Ororo Munroe / Storm), Adrian Hough (Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler), Christopher Britton (Nathaniel Essex / Mister Sinister), and Alyson Court (Jubilation Lee / Jubilee).[14][38] Lawrence Bayne (Nathan Summers / Cable) and Ron Rubin (Morph) also returned. Dodd, Zann, Buza, Sealy-Smith, Hough, and Britton all reprised their roles from the original series, while the others voice new roles: Disher voices Dr. Valerie Cooper, Potter voices Nathan Summers / Cable, Court voices Abscissa, Bayne voices Carl Denti / X-Cutioner, and Rubin voices President Robert Edward Kelly.[19]

Ray Chase takes on the role of Scott Summers / Cyclops following the death of original voice actor Norm Spencer;[19][60] Jennifer Hale replaces Disher as the voice of Jean Grey;[19] 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 actor would voice the character instead;[14][19] A. J. LoCascio replaces Potter as Remy LeBeau / Gambit; Matthew Waterson voices Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto, following the death of David Hemblen; Gui Agustini voices Roberto da Costa / Sunspot; J. P. Karliak replaces Rubin as Morph; Isaac Robinson-Smith voices Lucan Bishop, replacing Philip Akin; Ross Marquand voices Professor Charles Xavier, replacing Cedric Smith; Gil Birmingham voices Forge following the death of Marc Strange; and Eric Bauza voices the Sentinels after the death of David Fox.[7][19]

Meredith Layne was the casting and voice director for the series, responsible for casting actors and directing the voice recording sessions. New cast members were hired for instances where the original voice actor was not available or their voice was no longer appropriate for the character, and were intended to match the original performances.[6] Recasting was also done to have more authentic representation (as with Court and Jubilee), because of specific 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".[19] Voice recording for the season began by November 2021,[61] primarily taking place remotely over Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chase and Hale recorded scenes for the third episode together in-person because of how much dialogue they share in that episode, but they said this was a rare occasion for the series.[6]

In February 2024, DeMayo said Theo James, who DeMayo worked with on the film The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf (2021), had been cast in a "fan favorite" role,[19] later revealed to be Bastion.[32] Reprising their roles from the series What If...? (2021–present) are Josh Keaton as Steve Rogers / Captain America and Michael Patrick McGill as Thunderbolt Ross.[34]

Animation and design[edit]

Animation was provided by Studio Mir[62] and Tiger Animation.[63]: 30:52  The 2D animation style of the original series was retained, but "slightly modernized" to improve the quality and reflect advances in animation since the 1990s;[52][43] Castorena described the series as "fresh, but familiar".[64] Winderbaum said there was a "code of ethics" they followed to align with the restrictions of the 1990s animation, but they occasionally broke this for dramatic effect.[52] Work on the season's animatics began by November 2021,[61] and full animation began by April 2023.[65] The season was in post-production by that July.[66]

DeMayo said the costumes chosen for each character indicated which comic book storylines were being adapted by the series, and some were a reference to the 1989 failed animation pilot X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men.[19] Lead character designer Amelia Vidal retained the design concepts from the original series along with the style and aesthetics of the X-Men comic books of the 1970s to the 1990s.[67] Nightcrawler's design is based on his appearance during John Byrne and Dave Cockrum's 1970s comic book runs.[67] The original series' animators could not move Mister Sinister around much because of his complex design, which includes tendrils coming from his back; this was not an issue for the new series, but the animators chose to restrict the character's movements to align with the original series.[64] 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,[66] and his goal was to use mutant powers in ways that had not been seen before such as having Gambit charge Wolverine's claws with kinetic energy. Morph's shape-shifting powers allow for cameo appearances of other mutants.[64]

A background in the fifth episode features the Watcher in a blink-and-you-miss-it Easter egg for fans. The Watcher was included because that character observes important moments throughout the multiverse, including the massacre in Genosha. Castorena said this was not necessarily the same version of the Watcher that appears in What If...? since a different version of the character also appeared in the original series.[58]

Music[edit]

John Andrew Grush and Taylor Newton Stewart—known professionally as the Newton Brothers—were announced to be the composers for X-Men '97 in July 2022.[2] On revisiting the original series, the composers realized that the music did not match with their childhood memories and many of the original synthesizer sounds would now sound dated to modern audiences. They chose to modernize the score with an orchestra, choir, and some modern synthesizers.[68] After discussing the score's tone with DeMayo, they decided to begin closer to the original series and modernize the music more with each episode. They began by experimenting with ideas separately and then came together to write musical suites for each main character, defining sounds and instruments which could be their "calling cards". For instance, Storm's music uses woodwind instruments, choir, and chanting to reflect the wind aspect of her powers, while a waterphone and other metallic sounds were used for Magneto.[68] To ensure the music did not become too modern, the composers took influence from 1990s musicians such as Michael Jackson, The Prodigy, Radiohead, and Depeche Mode.[69][70] Jackson's "Thriller" particularly inspired the third episode,[70] which "got the Gothic treatment" and includes an organ.[71] The song "Happy Nation" by Ace of Base, which was released days after X-Men: The Animated Series premiered in 1992, is used prominently in the series in relation to the nation of Genosha and the Sentinel attack on it.[72]

Marketing[edit]

The series was discussed during Marvel Studios Animation's panel at the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con, where animatics were shown.[1] Completed animation from the season was shown a year later at the 2023 San Diego Comic-Con, where Hasbro's Marvel Legends figures for the series were also revealed.[48] In December 2023, Marvel Comics announced a four-issue comic book prequel series, also titled X-Men '97, written by Steve Foxe and with art by Salva Espin. The comic was made in collaboration with the series' producers. Foxe said the comic was an "original tale that feeds right into" the new series.[73] The first issue was released in March 2024.[74] Foxe and Espin previously worked on X-Men '92, a comic book continuation of the original series.[73] Select X-Men comic books released in March 2024 feature variant covers based on Hasbro's Marvel Legends figures for the series.[75]

A trailer for the season was released on February 15, 2024, when the premiere date was announced.[19] 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.[76][77] Ben Travis, writing for Empire, also noted the nostalgia and music as well as the "narrative weight" suggested by the trailer's character details.[78] 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.[79] The trailer reportedly set an internal Disney record as the biggest trailer launch for a Disney+ animated series, surpassing the trailers for What If...? and the service's Star Wars animated series.[80]

Arcade1Up announced a home arcade cabinet, themed around X-Men '97, later in February. It features 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).[81] The titles for each episode of the season were announced on a poster done in the style of a 1990s issue of TV Guide.[55] The first three episodes debuted at the series' world premiere in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on March 13.[82][83] By the end of the month, viewership for all five seasons of the original series had increased on Disney+ by 522 percent since the release of the trailer in February.[84]

Release[edit]

The first two episodes premiered on the streaming service Disney+ on March 20, 2024. The other eight episodes were released weekly until May 15.[3] The season was originally scheduled for release in late 2023.[1]

Reception[edit]

Viewership[edit]

According to Whip Media, who track viewership data for the 25 million worldwide users of their TV Time app, X-Men '97 was the most anticipated new series of March 2024.[85] Disney announced that the first episode had 4 million views worldwide in the five days following its release, marking the second-biggest first-season premiere for a full-length animated series on the service since the first season of What If...? in 2021.[86] According to the streaming aggregator JustWatch, X-Men '97 was the fifth most watched television series across all platforms in the United States during the week of March 18–24, 2024.[87]

Critical response[edit]

X-Men '97 received critical acclaim.[b] Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that critics called the series "Marvel's best release in years", praising "its nostalgic 2D animation style, smart writing, and captivating action sequences".[93] 98% of 63 reviews are positive on the website, with an average rating of 8.8/10. The website's critics consensus states, "Pulling off the x-traordinary feat of staying true to its beloved predecessor while charting a path forward for the franchise, X-Men '97 is simply x-cellent."[94] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the first season a score of 82 out of 100 based on 14 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[95]

Hayden Mears of TVLine complimented the show for combining the "vintage" feel with modernity in an "unassuming way".[96] Francis Agustin of the BBC believed that the series was a shift away from the heavily interconnected Marvel Cinematic Universe.[88] Alex Abad-Santos of Vox said "[e]verything about ’97 reflects an affection and thoughtfulness, not just for the Saturday morning cartoon but for the X-Men, too", praising the show for its understanding of the source material.[97] Brian Lowry of CNN News commented on the series' more adult tone and noted how it managed to remain faithful to the original series in spite of it.[98] Simon Gallagher from Screen Rant said "27 years after The Animated Series ended, X-Men '97 takes the original further, adding freshness without betraying anything that made us love it" and praising the show for its story, chosen plots and improved animation style.[99]

Documentary special[edit]

Main article: Marvel Studios: Assembled

In February 2021, the documentary series Marvel Studios: Assembled was announced. The specials go behind the scenes of the Marvel Studios films and television series with cast members and additional creatives.[100] The special of this season, "The Making of X-Men '97", features cast members from the original series and X-Men '97 who reveal their behind-the-scenes stories, and it explores the origins of the original series. It is scheduled to be released on Disney+ on May 22, 2024.[101]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ As depicted in the X-Men: The Animated Series finale episode "Graduation Day" (1997)[4]
  2. ^ Attributed to these sources:[88][89][90][91][92]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d 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.
  2. ^ a b 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.
  3. ^ a b c Nash, Anthony (March 6, 2024). "X-Men '97 Poster Previews Episode Titles for Animated Marvel Show". ComingSoon.net. Archived from the original on March 6, 2024. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Opie, David (March 19, 2024). "X-Men '97 Recap Guide: Everything You Need To Remember From The Animated Series". Empire. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Bonomolo, Cameron (February 20, 2024). "X-Men '97 Character Designs Gallery". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Lacson, Therese (March 27, 2024). "Jennifer Hale & Ray Chase Offer Crumbs on a Huge Plot Twist Coming to 'X-Men '97'". Collider. Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Meenan, Devin (March 19, 2024). "Every Original X-Men Animated Series Voice Actor That Returned For X-Men '97". /Film. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  8. ^ Miller, David (April 5, 2024). "X-Men '97 Finally Gave Us A Truly Terrifying Marvel Villain After The Fox Movies Failed For 24 Years". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Whitbrook, James (February 16, 2024). "X-Men '97's Take on Morph Is Already Making Bigots Mad". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  10. ^ Tinoco, Armando (March 24, 2024). "'X-Men '97' Morph Voice Actor On Backlash Over Describing Character As Non-Binary: "It Didn't Surprise Me At All"". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 24, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Stone, Sam (March 21, 2024). "X-Men '97 Actor J.P. Karliak Puts a New Twist on the Ever-Changing Morph". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  12. ^ Tassi, Paul (April 11, 2024). "'X-Men 97' Episode 5 Cements It As One Of The Best Marvel Projects, Ever". Forbes. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  13. ^ a b c Stenzel, Wesley (April 10, 2024). "'X-Men '97' creator Beau DeMayo breaks silence after exiting series". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  14. ^ a b c d 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.
  15. ^ George, Joe (April 3, 2024). "X-Men '97 Just Brought Back One of the Weirdest Villains in Marvel History". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on April 3, 2024. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  16. ^ a b Carr, Mary Kate (February 15, 2024). "The X-Men are finally back in X-Men '97 trailer". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Perine, Aaron (March 16, 2024). "X-Men '97: Marvel Addresses Professor X Recasting". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on March 16, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  18. ^ Meenan, Devin (April 11, 2024). "X-Men '97 Finally Brought Back One Of The Best Marvel Mutants". /Film. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Romano, Nick (February 15, 2024). "X-Men '97 exclusive look reveals legacy costumes, Theo James as a mystery 'fan favorite'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  20. ^ a b 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.
  21. ^ a b c d e Medina, Joel (April 18, 2024). "The Biggest 'X-Men '97' Episode 6 Easter Eggs". Collider. Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  22. ^ a b c Mysogland, Gregory (March 5, 2024). "What to Remember From 'X-Men: The Animated Series' Before 'X-Men '97'". Collider. Archived from the original on March 24, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  23. ^ a b c d Medina, Joel (April 12, 2024). "The Biggest 'X-Men '97' Episode 5 Easter Eggs". Collider. Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  24. ^ Seibold, Witney (April 3, 2024). "X-Men '97 Episode 4 Begins A Key Comic Book Arc With Storm And Forge". /Film. Archived from the original on April 3, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  25. ^ Medina, Joel (March 22, 2024). "The Biggest 'X-Men '97' Premiere Easter Eggs". Collider. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  26. ^ Johnson, Nathan (February 15, 2024). "Disney+ X-Men Reboot Cast: 23 Main Characters Confirmed to Appear". The Direct. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  27. ^ a b Bardini, Julio (April 6, 2024). "This X-Men Villain Is a Parody of TV Executives". Collider. Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  28. ^ Matadeen, Renaldo (March 22, 2024). "X-Men '97's Most Dangerous Weapon, Explained". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  29. ^ Medina, Joel (March 29, 2024). "The Biggest 'X-Men '97' Episode 3 Easter Eggs". Collider. Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  30. ^ Medina, Joel (April 5, 2024). "The Biggest 'X-Men '97' Episode 4 Easter Eggs". Collider. Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  31. ^ Dar, Taimur (April 15, 2024). "Latest episode of X-Men '97 miscredits the voice actor for Sebastian Shaw". The Beat. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  32. ^ a b c Romano, Nick (April 24, 2024). "Theo James' surprise 'X-Men '97' character revealed". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  33. ^ Miller, David (March 16, 2024). "Every X-Men: The Animated Series Voice Actor Not Returning For X-Men '97". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on March 18, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  34. ^ a b Schedeen, Jesse (April 24, 2024). "X-Men '97: Season 1, Episode 7 - "Bright Eyes" Review". IGN. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  35. ^ O'Neill, Shane (April 13, 2024). "X-Men '97 Spoiled An Avengers Cameo That Could Be More Dangerous Than It Seems". Looper.com. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  36. ^ 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.
  37. ^ 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.
  38. ^ a b c d 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.
  39. ^ 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.
  40. ^ Petski, Denise (February 15, 2024). "'X-Men '97' Animated Series Gets Disney+ Premiere Date, Trailer". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  41. ^ 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.
  42. ^ a b Meenan, Devin (March 23, 2024). "The Essential Aspect Of The Comics That X-Men '97 Had To Get Right [Exclusive]". /Film. Archived from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  43. ^ a b 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.
  44. ^ Jackson, Kourtnee (March 23, 2024). "Mutant Mania: Marvel's 'X-Men '97' Revival Series Explained". CNET. Archived from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  45. ^ a b 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.
  46. ^ 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.
  47. ^ 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.
  48. ^ a b c 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.
  49. ^ Deckelmeier, Joe; Behbakht, Andy (March 18, 2024). "X-Men '97 Executive Producer Breaks Down Marvel Animated Show's Grand Return". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on March 18, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  50. ^ 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.
  51. ^ 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.
  52. ^ a b c d McLean, Tom (February 28, 2024). "The Creative Heroes of 'X-Men '97' Reveal the New Mutations of the Nostalgic Marvel Series". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on March 1, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  53. ^ Perry, Spencer (March 16, 2024). "X-Men '97 Will Continue to Adapt Marvel Comics Up Through One Specific Writer". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on March 17, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  54. ^ a b c Schedeen, Jesse (April 12, 2024). "Kill Your Mutant Darlings: How X-Men '97 Brings Real Consequences to This Animated Universe". IGN. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  55. ^ a b Schedeen, Jesse (March 6, 2024). "X-Men '97 Episode Title Reveal Confirms Inclusion of Acclaimed '80s Story 'Lifedeath'". IGN. Archived from the original on March 6, 2024. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  56. ^ Miller, Leon (April 4, 2024). "X-Men '97: Is Motendo's X-Men Video Game Based On a Real Game?". The Escapist. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  57. ^ Meenan, Devin (April 10, 2024). "X-Men '97 Just Adapted One Of The Darkest Marvel Storylines Ever". /Film. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  58. ^ a b Behbakht, Andy (April 13, 2024). "X-Men '97 Episode 5's Watcher Cameo & Show Future Explained By Producer". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  59. ^ Kleinman, Jake (April 11, 2024). "'X-Men 97' Head Director: "I Wouldn't Get My Hopes Up For Cassandra Nova"". Inverse. Archived from the original on April 13, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  60. ^ 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.
  61. ^ a b 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.
  62. ^ Valentine, Evan (February 15, 2024). "X-Men '97 Is Tapping One of Anime's Top Studios". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  63. ^ Feldman, Charley (April 17, 2024). "Lifedeath - Part 2". X-Men '97. Season 1. Episode 6. Disney+. Retrieved April 21, 2024. End credits begin at 29:13.
  64. ^ a b c Moreau, Jordan (March 14, 2024). "'X-Men '97' and 'The Animated Series' Creators — Then and Now — Talk Revival, Playing With 'Disney Money' and Morph's Nonbinary Backlash (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on March 14, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  65. ^ 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.
  66. ^ a b 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.
  67. ^ a b Paige, Rachel (February 20, 2024). "'X-Men '97': Lead Character Artist Amelia Vidal on Reviving the Mutants". Marvel.com. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  68. ^ a b Pulliam-Moore, Charles (April 10, 2024). "The composers of X-Men '97 had to evolve the show's sound to honor its roots". The Verge. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  69. ^ Britt, Ryan (April 9, 2024). "'X-Men '97's' Composers Had To Recreate The Classic Theme Song From Scratch". Inverse. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  70. ^ a b Loftus, Meredith (April 6, 2024). "'X-Men '97' Composers on Infusing Retro Music Inspired by Radiohead and Michael Jackson". Collider. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  71. ^ Desowitz, Bill (April 12, 2024). "The 'X-Men '97' Smartly Repurposes Iconic Theme Song for Its Experimental Score". IndieWire. Archived from the original on April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  72. ^ Young, Kai (April 12, 2024). "1 Genius Detail In X-Men '97 Episode 5 Is Way Deeper Than You Realize". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on April 13, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  73. ^ a b 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.
  74. ^ Schedeen, Jesse (March 28, 2024). "X-Men '97: 5 New Details Revealed in Marvel's Prequel Comic". IGN. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  75. ^ "Celebrate the Impact of 'X-Men '97' with New Action Figure Covers". Marvel.com. February 15, 2024. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  76. ^ Pulliam-Moore, Charles (February 15, 2024). "The first X-Men '97 trailer is a return to the days of mutant supremacy". The Verge. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  77. ^ Rivera, Joshua (February 15, 2024). "X-Men '97 finally gets a trailer and a March premiere, bub". Polygon. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  78. ^ Travis, Ben (February 15, 2024). "X-Men '97 Trailer: Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm And Co Are Back In Action". Empire. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  79. ^ Whitbrook, James (February 15, 2024). "X-Men '97's First Trailer Is a Wild, Weird Looking Throwback". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  80. ^ Kit, Borys; Couch, Aaron (February 21, 2024). "How Marvel Is Quietly Retooling Amid Superhero Fatigue". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  81. ^ Cronin, Brian (February 27, 2024). "Marvel Embraces Nostalgia With X-Men '97-Themed Arcade Game Console". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on March 1, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  82. ^ Kit, Borys; Couch, Aaron (March 12, 2024). "Marvel Shocker: 'X-Men '97' Creator Beau DeMayo Fired Weeks Before Premiere (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  83. ^ Anderson, Jenna (March 13, 2024). "X-Men '97 First Reactions Tease "Absolutely Epic" Marvel Series". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on March 14, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  84. ^ Seitz, Loree (March 25, 2024). "'X-Men '97' Captures 4 Million Views on Disney+ in Less Than a Week". TheWrap. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  85. ^ Prange, Stephanie (February 29, 2024). "Whip Media: 'X-Men '97' Top New Show, 'Grey's Anatomy' Top Returning Show Anticipated in March". Media Play News. Archived from the original on March 5, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  86. ^ Hailu, Selome (March 25, 2024). "'X-Men '97' Hits 4 Million Views in Five Days". Variety. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  87. ^ Gruenwedel, Erik (March 25, 2024). "JustWatch: 'Road House,' 'Quiet on the Set' Top Weekly Streaming Through March 24". Media Play News. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  88. ^ a b Agustin, Francis (March 26, 2024). "X-Men '97: Why the series' blend of nostalgia and originality is just what Marvel needs right now". BBC. Archived from the original on April 1, 2024.
  89. ^ Russell, Bradley (April 11, 2024). "Thought X-Men '97 episode 5 was devastating? The series creator hints we haven't seen anything yet". Total Film. GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  90. ^ Romanchick, Shane (March 23, 2024). "'X-Men '97' Collection From BoxLunch Lets You Join the Iconic Marvel Team". Collider. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  91. ^ Wilson, Tabitha (April 10, 2024). "Superhero fans praise Marvel's 'best release in years'". The Independent. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  92. ^ Austin, Nicola (April 12, 2024). "X-Men '97's Most Explosive Episode Just Changed Mutant History". Empire. Archived from the original on April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  93. ^ Pruner, Aaron (March 20, 2024). "X-Men '97 First Reviews: "Marvel's Best Release in Years," Critics Say". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  94. ^ "X-Men '97: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  95. ^ "X-Men '97: Season 1". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  96. ^ Mears, Hayden (March 20, 2024). "X-Men '97 Review: A Confident, Kinetic Follow-Up to Original Animated Series". TVLine. Archived from the original on March 20, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  97. ^ Abad-Santos, Alex (April 10, 2024). "X-Men '97 is Marvel's best argument for an X-Men animated feature". Vox. Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  98. ^ Lowry, Brian (March 20, 2024). "'X-Men '97' delivers an animated blast from the past – and maybe Marvel's future". CNN. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  99. ^ Gallagher, Simon (March 20, 2024). "X-Men '97 Review: This Really Is The Next Step In Evolution For Marvel's Beloved Show". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on March 22, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  100. ^ Paige, Rachel (February 16, 2021). "Marvel Studios Announces Assembled, a Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe". Marvel.com. Archived from the original on February 16, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  101. ^ Ridgely, Charlie (April 16, 2024). "Disney+: Every Movie & TV Show Arriving in May 2024". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Draft:X-Men_%2797_season_1&oldid=1220921656"