Latest news with #XMen97
Geek Girl Authority
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
Why X-MEN '97 Should Be Marvel's Standard for Future Projects
Why X-Men '97 Should Be Marvel's Standard for Future Projects by Amanda Vincent Marvel's latest phase didn't have the magic of the Infinity Saga (the films from Iron Man to Avengers: Endgame ), and there has been a noticeable decline in quality. This has led to many fans disengaging with Marvel and lowering their expectations. However, a few projects exceed expectations and prove that Marvel can still make amazing content. Last March, X-Men '97 debuted on Disney+ and was an instant hit. The show picks up after the end of X-Men: The Animated Series, which concluded in 1996. It keeps the core spirit of the original while including updated animation and opening with a fresh new version of the iconic theme song. Highlighting Dynamics X-MEN '97 Season 1. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL. As a long-time X-Men fan, I think this show is nearly flawless. It highlights the intimate relationships between the team members. It allows them to feel like a true family that loves each other regardless of conflict. RELATED: TV Review: X-Men '97 Season 1 At their best, the X-Men operate like soap opera characters. The show leans into this heavily, starting strong with Scott (Cyclops) discovering that Mr. Sinister replaced his wife, Jean Grey, with a clone. The clone (Madelyne) had just given birth to their child, making things even more complicated. Jean catches Scott and Madelyne having a psychic moment together and struggles to trust her husband again. Along with this, Rogue and Remy (Gambit)'s relationship becomes complicated when Erik enters the picture. We discover that Rogue and Erik have a past, and she still cares deeply for him. Because of his magnetism powers, Erik is the one person Rogue can touch without harming, something she could never do with Remy. The Sentinel Master Mold kills Remy in the middle of the season, sending Rogue into a spiral of grief and anger. Individual Moments to Shine X-MEN '97 Season 1. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL. X-Men '97 does a fantastic job of balancing a larger team and giving each core member their moment to shine. It was fun to see characters like Nightcrawler, Morph, and Cable play pivotal roles in the plot, as they were not always present in the original series. RELATED: Defending X-Men : Here's Why These Movies Should Be Grouped, Not Ranked Storm's character arc stands out. Early in the show, her powers are taken from her, leading to a journey of self-discovery and rejuvenation. She connects with Forge, a mutant who can invent anything he can imagine. He endeavors to help her regain her powers. With Forge, they encounter The Adversary, a demonic entity whose sole purpose is to destroy the universe. While resisting The Adversary's psychic attacks, Storm regains her powers, and she comes back stronger than ever. I always felt the original animated series and the Fox movies underused Storm, so it was well overdue to give her a quality story. Character-Driven Stories X-MEN '97 Season 1. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL. The show's plot is engaging and energetic because of its compelling characters. When Marvel focuses on telling character-driven stories, rather than making projects for the sake of the larger universe, they are at their best. RELATED: X-Men + Star Trek : Why You Must Read Planet X The show also excels at providing terrifying villains. Mr. Sinister, The Adversary, and Bastion, a human-Sentinel hybrid, are all genuinely scary and are not easy for the team to defeat. It's been a while since a Marvel project had a quality antagonist, so this was refreshing to see. X-Men '97 should serve as a blueprint for Marvel's future projects and is truly one of the best representations of the X-Men on screen. Going forward, Marvel should zoom in on the story they want to tell for each film and Disney+ show, rather than always zooming out to the next big event. Thunderbolts* and Daredevil: Born Again are two projects that show promise for the future. RELATED: Thunderbolts* : Does the Film Hide an Original Comic Book Member in Plain Sight? Thunderbolts* Like X-Men '97, Thunderbolts* successfully gives the audience more insight into characters who had not been given much attention while also setting up the MCU's next big event. The film also explores themes of grief and trauma while creating a compelling and heartwarming family dynamic. Each member of the New Avengers roster gets their moment, both in the action scenes and in more emotional ones. The film feels different from the typical Marvel formula. It's stylistically creative and a fun reset from a long stretch of mediocre films. The film's antagonist, The Void, is truly an unexpected and creative twist, and is chilling to watch on screen. Daredevil: Born Again Daredevil: Born Again also excels with its antagonist, Wilson Fisk (Kingpin). Just like in the original series, Fisk is a formidable threat not only to Daredevil but all of New York City. The show's stakes continue to rise as Fisk becomes Mayor and assumes control of those around him. The first season ends with a cliffhanger, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats to see if Daredevil and his allies can win in the end. RELATED: Who Is Bob Reynolds, the Newest Hero Introduced in Thunderbolts* ? Like X-Men '97 , the show is grounded in its setting and is not focused on establishing the next crossover event or bigger film. Born Again completely immerses itself in New York City. Each episode includes interviews with residents expressing their thoughts on Fisk's mayoral campaign and the aftermath of his taking office. The show is a great example of zooming in and fully committing to the story. Learning From X-Men '97 Both projects could benefit from more in-depth exploration of their characters while highlighting the strengths of everyone in the cast. Still, it appears Marvel is headed in the right direction. Hopefully, future projects can do this even better. With The Fantastic Four: First Steps coming out this month, we will soon learn if this new era of Marvel is on the brink of success or more of the same mediocrity. X-Men '97 Season 1 is now streaming on Disney+. DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN Season 2 Sees the Return of Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones
Gizmodo
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
See How ‘X-Men '97' Brought Cyclops to Life With a Look Inside Its Gorgeous New Artbook
There was a lot to love about X-Men '97's continuation and evolution of the iconic X-Men: The Animated Series when its first season rolled out last year, but perhaps one of the best was the reminder to X-fans who's primary experience with the character had been in adaptation rather than in the comics that Cyclops has always been one of the best X-Men characters in comics. Marrying people's memories of Scott from the original show with the huge development the character underwent throughout the 21st century was a key part of updating him for X-Men '97–and now you can get some insight as to how it all happened in the series' expansive new artbook. Published by Abrams and written by James Field, X-Men '97: The Art and Making of the Animated Series dives into the early days of Marvel Television's decision to revive one of its most legendary cartoon series for a modern age. Featuring insight from creatives at every level of making the series, from head of Marvel TV Brad Winderbaum to artists and producers, the book also includes hundreds of new, never-before-seen concept art, storyboards, and early design concepts for how the team updated the '90s aesthetic of the show, while incorporating elements of comics designs and evolutions from across the X-Men's entire history. It's a perfect pickup for anyone who's in the long haul waiting for the show's highly anticipated second season, but for now, io9 has an exclusive first look inside the book for you to check out below, with insight on the earliest days of bringing X-Men '97 to life, as well as an exclusive look at the book's section on Cyclops. Want to learn just how long it took to get Scott's optic-blast-fuelled superhero landing right? Look no further! X-Men '97: The Art and Making of the Animated Series hits shelves July 1, and is available to preorder now. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Geek Tyrant
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Original X-MEN '97 Creator Beau DeMayo Reveals His Ambitious, Scrapped Vision for Season 2 — GeekTyrant
Before X-Men '97 premiered to critical and fan acclaim, creator Beau DeMayo had already been removed from the series. Though still credited as a writer on Season 2, his exact contributions remain uncertain, and now, we have a better idea of what his vision entailed. In a series of posts, DeMayo broke down his original concept for Season 2, offering fans a tease into a darker, more politically charged chapter for the X-Men. It included mutant militias, time travel, and a massive showdown in Washington D.C. DeMayo wrote: 'So, I'm curious what remains in #xmen97 Season 2 when it comes to New X-Men costumes. My intention in using Grant Morrison's and Frank Quietly's uniforms was this: 'In my version of Season 2, E-Day leads to mutant task forces like the X-Men being banned in the US and so Xavier — eager to find the next step in his dream as rival groups X-Force and X-Factor spring up while the X-Men are scattered through time — founds X-Corp, building the tower from the comics on the ruins of Genosha as a challenge to Val Cooper and the UN since X-Force would now operate outside of UN jurisdiction.'' DeMayo saw Season 2 as a radical evolution of Charles Xavier's vision, one that gets twisted by darker forces. He added: 'To me, Quietly's designs felt more militant and that's something I intended to explore in Season 2 as Xavier begins to militarize his dream, moving them away from being heroes, with the final reveal being in the S2 finale (which has been cut) that it was Onslaught slowly gaining control of Xavier that made him defy the UN, start X-Corp, and militarize his team.' DeMayo was laying the groundwork for one of the most dangerous villains in X-Men history to make a surprise return. His plan would've culminated in a massive final act: 'When the X-Men realize this, and Onslaught reveals himself at the end of Episode 9, they don their classic 90s costumes again and return to being heroes as they lead the Avengers, X-Factor, and X-Force against Onslaught as he steals Ship (from the OG's Obsession) from Apocalypse and unleashes it on Washington D.C. during Graydon Creed's inauguration.' That would've been a universe-spanning climax worthy of the best X-Men arcs. But with DeMayo no longer steering the ship, it's unclear how much (if any) of this will make it into the final cut of Season 2. Marvel hasn't announced a release date for the new season, but expectations are high. Whether we get even a shadow of this Onslaught arc remains to be seen, but fans will definitely be watching closely.
Geek Tyrant
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Neve Campbell Officially Set To Voice Polaris in X-MEN '97 Season 2 — GeekTyrant
Following yesterday's rumor that Neve Campbell would be playing Polaris aka Lorna Dane in either an X-Men movie or the X-Men '97 series, it has been confirmed that she will be voicing the character the Season 2 of the animated series. This new was confirmed by X-Men '97 former showrunner Beau DeMayo , who said: 'I cast her as Polaris in Season 2 of #xmen97. She does amazing work bringing something new, and felt right to have a 90s icon pick up where Lorna's story was left in 'Cold Comfort.' She's got some thoughts on Genosha.' Polaris was introduced in the late '60s and eventually revealed to be Magneto's daughter, Lorna Dane shares his magnetism power, but she's always stood apart, both because of her struggle with mental health and her unpredictable allegiances. She's fought alongside the X-Men, served as one of Apocalypse's Four Horsemen, and even went by the name Malice at one point. Her most notable live-action portrayal came via The Gifted (2018), where she was played by Emma Dumont. This casting news comes as Marvel fans look ahead to the next chapter of the animated revival, which won't hit Disney+ until 2026. Executive producer Brad Winderbaum confirmed the release window and shared his excitement about the project: 'Season 2 of X-Men '97 is going to be in '26. We're working on it now. It's exciting. That world of the '90s is just… Honestly, I can't believe they let me make it. I grew up at Marvel, as you know, clocked a lot of time here, and I feel like I used a lot of currency to revive this thing that I loved watching after school. So, the fact that we get to play in that universe with those actors is honestly why I went into this business in the first place.' Winderbaum kept things vague when asked about future animated projects or a potential feature film: 'It's all in the preliminary. As you know, we're developing more than we make, so I don't want to announce anything before it's ready. But there's hopefully some exciting stuff on the horizon.' Despite X-Men '97 being a continuation of a show that ended over 25 years ago, the creative team has remained adamant about staying true to its '90s roots, though that doesn't mean they're boxed in. Supervising director Jake Castorena previously said: 'We touched on that, even in season one with E is for Extinction, which was definitely not of the '90s run per se but in the zeitgeist of the era that came a little later. Once so much time passes, that's pretty much late '90s — we're still dressing like that. 'That's how I validate it, 'When did the clothing style change?' That's the time we're in. We play with a little time fudging... Speaking in comic book lore, past and present, X-Men is and always should be an allegory for prejudice, first and foremost. The minute you take that element away, you've automatically taken away the excellence.' Season 1 ended on a wild note, with Bastion defeated, Asteroid M stopped, and several X-Men transported through time where they encountered a young En Sabah Nur. That setup opens the door for more Apocalypse-centric stories, whether from the '90s comics or early 2000s arcs. As for what storylines Season 2 might explore, Castorena kept it open but name-dropped a few fan-favorite sources: 'The X-Men always should be the underdogs. There's a reason why they're not tattered or received as well as The Avengers. But there's also a reason why they work so well... While the Avengers might just wing that shit, the X-Men work together. 'They have their squabbles, they have their drama, their love triangles, though they always come back together as a unit. When using the Chris Claremont or Jim Lee runs, or even pulling from Giant-Size X-Men, they are all great but, also, I think it's fair to say that enough time has passed to where we can fudge a little bit of that time bringing in early 2000s stories.' Campbell will join an impressive returning cast, including Ray Chase (Cyclops), Jennifer Hale (Jean Grey), Cal Dodd (Wolverine), Alison Sealy-Smith (Storm), Lenore Zann (Rogue), and George Buza (Beast), among others. How are you feeling about Campbell taking on the role of Polaris?
