Beau DeMayo Criticizes Marvel After Latest Cuts to His X-Men ’97 Plans

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Beau DeMayo Criticizes Marvel After Latest Cuts to His X-Men '97 Plans

Key Takeaways

  • X-Men ’97’s second season faces delays due to behind-the-scenes complications, including the firing of showrunner Beau DeMayo.
  • Marvel Studios scrapped DeMayo’s plans for season 2, impacting episode count and dismissal of storylines like Onslaught/AoA.
  • Fans may be disappointed with the new direction of X-Men ’97 under a new head writer, deviating from DeMayo’s comics-first approach.

As a long-time fan and supporter of X-Men ’97, I must admit that I am disheartened by the recent turn of events behind the scenes. Beau DeMayo, the brilliant mind who breathed new life into our beloved mutant team, was unceremoniously dismissed before the show even premiered. And now, it seems that Marvel Studios has scrapped his plans for season 2, which includes the highly anticipated Onslaught/AoA storyline.

It’s widely expected that the second season of X-Men ’97 could be one of the most eagerly awaited series connected to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but unfortunately, certain production issues are delaying its release. A past creative mind associated with the show has publicly expressed their thoughts on this situation.

In 1997, when the main Marvel Cinematic Universe was facing challenges, X-Men ’97 emerged as a surprising triumph. This animated series was one of the rare revival attempts that found a decent level of success. Named after its predecessor, X-Men: The Animated Series, which ended in 1997, this new show gained popularity during its first season of 10 episodes. Viewers were particularly intrigued by how the final episodes would unfold in the next installment. Many credited the success of X-Men ’97 to Beau DeMayo, who served as the showrunner until his sudden dismissal just before the premiere. Remarkably, even after being fired, DeMayo later spoke about the show following its fifth episode, often teasing fans and offering glimpses into his creative journey during production.

Although the reasons behind DeMayo’s dismissal as showrunner for X-Men ’97 remain unclear, it is evident that his departure left a significant impact on the series during its second season’s extended timeline. Recently, DeMayo shared his thoughts on these alterations through his official account on X, addressing a fan’s concern about Marvel Studios discarding his prearranged plans and scripts for season 2 due to reports of the show resuming in 2026. DeMayo lamented, “Yes, it’s unfortunate. Season 2 consists of only nine episodes because of this, along with them scrapping my Onslaught/AoA finale. However, Marvel has a tendency for self-inflicted wounds, particularly when certain directors and executives adhere to their antiquated ‘we know better than the comics’ perspective. #xmen97

Onslaught, a character created by Magneto’s Psyche taking over Charles Xavier’s after their deadly altercation following Magneto’s retaliatory attack on Wolverine, is one of Marvel Comics’ most interesting villains and would have been a great addition to the show in many ways. However, that character’s inclusion and the storylines attached seem to have become a casualty in the conflict between Marvel Studios and DeMayo, which took a wild turn when the company broke with tradition to explicitly state that DeMayo had been dismissed from his role due to alleged behavior of an “egregious nature”. The 2026 timeline that kicked off the discussion is also a side effect of this, as DeMayo had overseen the completion of a season two script before his departure from the project.

Although the current season 3’s new head writer has won approval from the director of ‘X-Men ’97’, it remains uncertain how fans will respond to the shift in direction now that DeMayo’s initial vision is being replaced. The original approach, heavily influenced by comics, struck a chord with both new and returning X-Men fans, particularly when it came to the season one finale leading into the development of Onslaught and the ‘Age of Apocalypse’ storyline. Any departures from this path, regardless of their quality, might upset some viewers. The source of this potential dissatisfaction could be attributed either to Marvel Studios or DeMayo, given that fans have access to information about the original plans. Nevertheless, this potential disappointment is unlikely to deter those genuinely interested in the show. Instead, the major concerns seem to revolve around the 2026 release date and the short 9-episode schedule.

There’s been some discussion suggesting that the future of the MCU should mimic “X-Men ’97”, but the instability concerning the project’s showrunner and overall narrative direction can’t be carried over. While details about the turmoil leading to these circumstances may remain unclear, it’s safe to say that minimizing such issues will benefit the franchise greatly. For now, fans must endure the wait until season two of the series becomes available for streaming.

X-Men ‘97 is available to stream on Disney+, with a second season rumored to release in 2026.

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2024-09-29 15:23