Marvel Studios has made a surprising move, reportedly parting ways with Beau DeMayo, the mastermind behind the eagerly awaited animated series, X-Men ’97, just weeks ahead of its scheduled premiere. The news, broken by The Hollywood Reporter, comes as a shock to fans eagerly anticipating the nostalgic journey back to the beloved ’90s Fox Kids show.
DeMayo, known for his work on various Marvel and fantasy projects including Moon Knight and The Witcher, had been deeply involved in the creation and production of X-Men ’97. Despite his significant role as creator and executive producer of the show’s debut season, Marvel Studios opted to sever ties with him, a decision shrouded in mystery as neither Marvel nor DeMayo’s representatives have offered any official statement regarding the dismissal.
In time I’m sure we will find out what happened with #BeauDeMayo that led to his firing from #XMen97 but whatever happened was bad enough to get canned 8 days before the premiere though pic.twitter.com/3KGLcgAX82
— The Patric (@ThePatricIsReal) March 12, 2024
This development raises eyebrows particularly due to its timing, as X-Men ’97 is slated for release on Disney+ in just a matter of days, on March 20th. DeMayo had not only completed his responsibilities for the first season but had also penned scripts for an upcoming second season, with discussions for a third season in progress, as per reports from The Hollywood Reporter.
X-Men ’97, a continuation of the storyline from the iconic X-Men: The Animated Series, has drawn attention not only for its nostalgic appeal but also for its casting choices. The series features the return of original voice actors, adding to the anticipation among fans. However, it hasn’t been without its controversies, with social media uproar in 2023 over accusations of whitewashing in the casting of Brazilian actor Gui Agustini as Sunspot.
In light of these recent events, DeMayo has taken a step back from social media, deleting both his Twitter and Instagram accounts, where he previously shared updates on his creative ventures. Additionally, his OnlyFans account, which was unrelated to his professional work but had garnered attention due to his involvement in X-Men ’97, has also been deactivated.
As the premiere date draws near, Marvel Studios is yet to address the circumstances surrounding DeMayo’s departure, leaving fans curious about the future of X-Men ’97 and the creative direction it will take without its original visionary at the helm.
