The much-anticipated first look at X-Men ’97, the Disney+ revival of X-Men: The Animated Series, debuted at Comic-Con International in San Diego, slicing through the Marvel Studios animation panel like an optic blast.
Officially announced in November 2021, following a whirlwind of rumors, the continuation of the beloved 1990s animated series will debut on Disney+ sometime in 2023. Marvel released a number of photos that showcase the new costumes and designs for its characters. While the studio didn’t disclose much in terms of X-Men ’97‘s story, it did confirm that Magneto, sporting a design seemingly inspired by John Romita Jr.’s depiction of the character, will be leading the titular team.
Original voices actors Cal Dodd, Lenore Zann and George Buza (Rogue), George Buza(Beast), Adrian Hough/Cannonball), Christopher Britton (“Mister Sinister”), Catherine Disher (Jean Grey), Chris Potter “Gambit”) and Alison Sealy Smith (Storm”) will all reprise their roles. Alyson Court will be reprising her role as Jubilee. However, she will play another role, which allows an Asian actor to take the part.
X-Men ’97 Continues the Beloved 1990s Animated Series
X-Men: The Animated Series aired on Fox Kids for five seasons, from 1992 to 1997, for a total of 76 episodes. Inspired by the look and line-up of Jim Lee’s hit X-Men comic series of the early ’90s, the cartoon drew from such classic Marvel storylines as “Days of Future Past,” “The Phoenix Saga” and “Legacy Virus.” However, The Animated Series had a significant influence on the comics. This included the crossover between Marvel’s Age of Apocalypse and Jean Grey and Scott Summers.
Although producers initially intended to end the series with the Season 4 finale, in which the X-Men stop Apocalypse and Cable returns to his own time, Fox surprised virtually everyone with an order for a 10-episode fifth season. That run concluded on Sept. 20, 1997, with “Graduation Day,” in which a dying Professor Xavier sets off for the Shi’Ar homeworld in search of a cure. Magneto and Xavier are also brought to an end by the episode, which concludes their assault on humanity.
Marvel previously returned to the world of X-Men: The Animated Series in 2015 with the X-Men ’92 comic miniseries (a nod to the cartoon’s 1992 premiere date), released as part of the Secret Wars event. A third volume, X-Men ’92: House of XCII, debuted in April.
X-Men ’97 will join a Marvel Studios animated line-up on Disney+ that includes What If…? ,, the upcoming I Am Groot as well as SpiderMan: Freshman year . These series have a connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe What If …? set up key elements of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, for example — the canonicity of X-Men ’97 isn’t as clear. Beau DeMayo, head writer teased that he would go with “no comments” here because part of the thrill will be discovering this out as you watch the show. “
X-Men ’97 does not yet have a release date.
Source: Marvel
