The highly anticipated second season of the beloved animated series, ‘X-Men ’97‘, has faced numerous setbacks. Its release date was pushed back to 2026. While the official reason cited is extensive rewrites, former showrunner Beau DeMayo has revealed a more alarming truth.
He claimed that Marvel Studios had scrapped its ambitious plans for Onslaught and an Age of Apocalypse adaptation. He also called out the executives for not respecting the source material.
Beau DeMayo Takes A Sharp Dig At Marvel For Scrapping Most Plans For ‘X-Men ’97‘
Beau DeMayo, who was reportedly fired from the show due to allegations of sexual misconduct (which he denies), took to X to express his disappointment and frustration with Marvel’s decision. He claims that his original vision for the series included a climactic showdown with the powerful mutant villain, Onslaught, in the season 2 finale.
Related: Spider-Man From The ’94 Animated Series Makes An Appearance In X-Men ’97
However, Marvel Animation allegedly rejected his ideas. In a series of tweets, DeMayo further revealed that the second season’s episode count was reduced from 10 to 9 due to the scrapped Onslaught storyline. He also criticized Marvel for their “backwards” approach to adapting comic book material.
He accused certain executives of imposing their own ideas and disregarding the source material. It remains to be seen how Marvel will address the void left by the scrapped storylines. Will they introduce new villains or explore different plot points? Or will the second season focus primarily on existing characters and their ongoing conflicts?
Beau DeMayo’s Dark Vision For ‘X-Men ’97’ Was Also Scrapped
Beau DeMayo also revealed that Marvel Studios rejected his plans for a darker, more mature tone for the series. Marvel sought to make the show more kid-friendly and focused on the X-Men’s school life. This creative clash ultimately led to DeMayo’s dismissal.
In case you missed it: ‘X-Men ’97’ Producer Teases Multiple New Superhero Teams In Season 2
In addition to the cancellation of his plans for a third season set entirely in the Age of Apocalypse timeline, DeMayo had envisioned a five-year plan for the series, culminating in an Age of Apocalypse arc. However, the studio’s insistence on a lighter tone and focus on the school setting ruined his plans.
All this led to significant rewrites for the second season. Moreover, his vision for a darker, more gritty X-Men series aligns with the original series’ success. ‘X-Men ‘97’ was never afraid to explore mature themes and complex characters.
