X-Men ’97 Creator Slams Marvel For Messing With A Season 1 Episode

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Summary

  • Episode 4 of X-Men ’97 received backlash for being rushed and lacking depth.
  • Showrunner Beau DeMayo claimed Marvel took creative control away from his team.
  • Conflicts over creative control in X-Men ’97 raise concerns about the series’ future.

Back in the day, I found myself utterly captivated by the X-Men ’97 series. It was a blast from the past that left me in awe with its nostalgic allure and compelling narratives. But, it wasn’t always smooth sailing; there was one episode that didn’t quite hit the mark as I had hoped. This particular installment fell flat for many viewers, causing a ripple of disappointment and even stirring up some doubts about the series’ overall consistency.

1997’s X-Men series was generally well-received and enjoyed by fans, but not all episodes were equally successful. A specific episode from Season 1, Episode 4, has become a subject of criticism and is now at the heart of a debate. Recently, the former showrunner Beau DeMayo has stirred up more conversation about this issue on social media, expressing his dissatisfaction. He claims that the episode didn’t resonate with him because Marvel reportedly interfered with his creative team’s work. This disclosure has reignited discussions among fans about the level of creative control behind the scenes.

Beau DeMayo, the mastermind behind hit series X-Men ‘97, recently shared insights on X (previously known as Twitter) regarding fan concerns over episode 4 titled “Motendo / Lifedeath – Part 1”. DeMayo disclosed that the episode didn’t resonate with him because his original plan was discarded by one of the co-executive producers, who had strong dislike for the concept. Originally, DeMayo intended to explore Storm and Forge’s relationship more profoundly in this episode. Unfortunately, as per DeMayo, the co-executive producer seized control of the episode and handed it over to an editor from “What If” to rework it according to her vision, which inadvertently eliminated approximately one-third of Storm’s narrative and divided episode 4 into two distinct parts.

According to DeMayo’s statements, it seems plausible why some viewers felt that Episode 4 moved too quickly. DeMayo intended for the episode to follow the “Lifedeath” storyline from the X-Men comics more closely, focusing on a deeper examination of Storm and Forge’s relationship. This would have started with Forge caring for a weakened Storm, echoing a significant comic book scene, leading to a gradual buildup towards Storm’s confrontation with the demonic Adversary. However, DeMayo claimed that large portions were removed by the editor, including the original opening scene, which he felt was important. Instead, the episode primarily focused on Jubilee’s solo adventure and a hastily developed subplot between Storm and Forge, making their romantic storyline feel forced. The introduction of Storm’s Adversary, a bird-like creature, also appeared suddenly with minimal context or explanation, adding to the rushed feeling of the episode.

In a recent discussion, DeMayo revealed some challenges faced during the production of Motendo / Lifedeath – Part 1, particularly in casting. He attempted to recruit Gil Birmingham from Yellowstone to play Forge, but encountered resistance due to Birmingham’s previous association with Marvel Studios. Following an unexpected role removal from another Marvel project without prior notice, the actor was wary about rejoining the MCU. However, DeMayo was able to persuade him to reconsider by assuring no such disrespect would recur and offering a multiseason character arc. After a fruitful two-hour conversation, Birmingham consented, much to Marvel’s chagrin, as DeMayo managed to repair a strained relationship. The writer expressed pride in the accomplishment, acknowledging he just barely kept his promise.

In the editing process, portions of Forge’s storyline alongside Storm were reduced, creating ambiguity about Birmingham’s future appearance after his character was reshaped yet again. Even as DeMayo commenced work on X-Men ’97 season two, he was dismissed in March 2024 due to charges of misconduct, such as sexual harassment. DeMayo has since contested these allegations, venting his displeasure with Marvel Studios via X. Will Forge and Storm’s narrative receive the attention it warrants in upcoming seasons?

X-Men ‘97 is available on Disney+.

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2025-01-21 17:44