Marvel’s Head of Streaming Confirms Beau DeMayo Is Not Returning to ‘X-Men 97’
X-Men ’97 was not only a critical success for Marvel at a time when the studio desperately needed it, but it was also a creative triumph for the team that made the show a reality.
Led by showrunner Beau DeMayo, the X-Men ’97 team managed to revive a classic 1990s animated series, appeal to both new and old fans, and create perhaps the greatest adaptation of the X-Men comics that we have seen.
Photo: Marvel
Currently ranked as one of Disney+’s most-watched series, X-Men ’97 was quickly greenlit for two more seasons. While season two is in the final stages of editing, production on season three has just begun.
Beau DeMayo Will Not Return
The biggest question surrounding the future of the series, however, is DeMayo. The man who spearheaded the creation of X-Men ’97 unceremoniously parted ways with Marvel just days before the series was released.
According to Marvel’s head of streaming, Brad Winderbaum, the series will be moving forward with a new head writer.
Photo: Variety
“Will have a new head writer for season 3,” he explained to Entertainment Weekly. “We are honoring Beau’s ideas for the second season.”
Nodding to X-Men ’97 head director and supervising producer Jake Castorena and episodic directors Emi Yonemura and Chase Conley, Winderbaum explained that despite DeMayo’s departure, the team’s vision will move forward unchanged.
Photo: Marvel
“So much of the visual storytelling of this show comes from him and our amazing directing team,” he says with a nod to Yonemura and Conley. “So it does feel like there’s a consistent voice. The mantra is the same, the goals are the same, and the source material is the same. As long as that’s our guiding principle, that we’re honoring the comics and the original show, that’s the core to the creative pursuit.”
DeMayo Clarifies His Involvement in Season 2
In response to a fan question about his involvement in X-Men ’97 season 2 on X, DeMayo explained that he had already written much of the season before his exit.
Photo: Fandom
“I did write a lot of season 2,” DeMayo said. “However, unlike season 1, I will not be heavily involved or leading production, cast records, design, editorial, post, music, etc., nor doing any production rewrites as it relates to the creative vision of the show.”
Photo: Marvel
“This is why I’ve said I can’t really speak to season 2. But, looking forward to seeing the final product with you all whenever it airs. I have high hopes.”
The Path Forward
While many fans had hoped that DeMayo would be welcomed back into the fold following the roaring success of X-Men ’97 season 1, that will not be the case.
Still, it’s good to hear that the rest of the team is plowing ahead with the same vision and drive that led to the show’s triumphant debut.
Photo: Marvel
X-Men ’97 is streaming on Disney+.
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