The ‘X-Men ’97’ Directors Are Listening If Marvel Wants to Bring the Team to Live-Action
After a disappointing 2023 that saw Secret Invasion become the lowest-rated Marvel release ever, Marvel Studios seems to have righted the ship on streaming in an interesting way.
While January’s Echo proved to be a moderate success for Marvel, it was last month’s animated X-Men ’97 that delivered both a ratings hit and the highest-rated Marvel Studios release of all time.
The long-awaited revival of the 1990’s favorite X-Men: The Animated Series has managed to not only tap into nostalgia for the original series but also draw new fans in through its storytelling.
The “new” animated series has been such a hit, that many are calling it the best X-Men story ever told outside of the comics.
‘X-Men ’97’ Talk Directing Live-Action
With fans flocking to X-Men ’97 and critics swooning, many have suggested that the team behind the animated series be tasked with bringing the live-action X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
In a recent interview with Screen Rant Chase Conley and Emi Yonemura, who directs X-Men ’97 revealed that should Marvel come calling, they would certainly be interested.
“If that’s a call that we get, at some point, I’m gonna pick the phone up, for sure,” Conley said.
“I would never say no to that phone call because I love a good challenge, and I love trying new things,” Yonemura added.
Interestingly, the success of X-Men ’97 and the depth of its storytelling have led many to wonder if the X-Men’s story isn’t simply better suited for animation.
Is Animation a Better Medium For The X-Men Than Live-Action?
Both Conley and Yonemura agree that small-screen animation certainly has its advantages.
“Certain things that you can do in animation, I feel, speak to the subconscious because of your ability to manipulate hand-drawn frames and things of that nature you can do a little bit more in terms of [the] emotional impact of, even if it’s with action,” Conley said.
“What our animated series is proving is that animation is a medium, but it should be almost held as in as higher regard as live action,” Yonemura added.
While it is unlikely that Marvel will turn to animation directors for a project as big as the X-Men’s arrival in the MCU, perhaps they should. After all, no director is likely to be as well acquainted with what makes the X-Men tick as Conley and Yonemura.
When Will The X-Men Join the MCU?
At this time, we do not have a release date for the MCU’s live-action X-Men film. The studio is, however, currently listening to pitches from screenwriters.
X-Men ’97 is streaming on Disney+.
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