Summary
Warning: The following post containsX-Men ‘97episode 5 spoilersX-Men ‘97episode 5 prompted ex-showrunner Beau DeMayo to finally comment on the Marvel Animation series for the first time since he was fired. However, fans hoping for answers about his firing will be left wanting.
Roughly a week beforeX-Men 97premiered on Disney Plus, fans were shocked whenDeMayo was fired fromX-Men ‘97. While reports claimed DeMayo was difficult to work with, neither Marvel nor DeMayo has publically commented on the reason for his firing. However,X-Men ‘97episode 5, “Remember It,” concluded with Sentinals attacking the fictional island nation of Genosha, a mutant homeland that Magneto, Rogue, and Gambit were visiting. Although the Sentinels were destroyed, the attack left Genosha in ruins and claimed the lives of several mutants, including Magneto and Gambit.
Naturally, the events ofX-Men ‘97episode 5devasted fans and left them with many questions. In response to these inquiries,DeMayobroke his silence with a lengthy Twitter post to explain how real-world tragedies and personal experiences influenced his decision to takeX-Men ‘97in a traumatic direction. As DeMayo outlined,he wantedX-Men ‘97to parallel the experiences of fans who were kids when the original series aired and now were adults.“My plan was the first half of the season is the OG audiences pre-9/11 days, rife with nostalgia and comfort,” DeMayo wrote on Twitter. “Then 9/11 - like Tulsa and other mass tragedies - turned the world upside down and reminded us the whole world unsafe.” DeMayo’s full comments can be read in another post below:
Although DeMayo did not address his firing, he did respond to one fan who called on Marvel to bring DeMayo back. “Bring @BeauDemayo back. Because if 1x05 is any bit of him, you’ll need him to carry this series to the end,” wroteAce Cruzat. “The man just adapted the comics and the OG like it was heartbreaking magic. Remember It indeed.” DeMayo did not comment on the desire to reinstate him, but he thanked the fan and noted that he had been working onX-Men ‘97episode 5 for four years.
Because he or Marvel has not officially explained the reason for DeMayo’s firing,some fans are willing to give the formerX-Men ‘97showrunnerthe benefit of the doubt and hope to see him return to the series. “You have done an amazing job, Mr. Demayo. I can’t wait to see the next season and a half you wrote and(I hope) maybe more one day. You’ve become a top tier Xmen writer to the fans in just a month,” wroteGap Toothed Wonder. Twitter userJohn Jonas Jamesonalso urged Marvel Studios to bring DeMayo back, comparing the situation to whenJames Gunn was fired fromGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3only to be reinstated several months later.
WhileX-Men ‘97has earned DeMayo goodwill among fans,Marvel Studios and Disney have not announced or suggested any indication that they intend to reverse their decision to dismiss him. So, while DeMayo was instrumental in craftingX-Men ‘97’s acclaimed first season, fans must hope his successors also contributed to the show’s excellent storytelling and can continue to do so for future seasons.
X-Men ‘97premieres new episodes on Wednesdays on Disney Plus.
X-Men ‘97
The animated X-Men team returns in the Disney Plus reboot, X-Men ‘97. With Professor X gone, Cyclops, Wolverine, Jean Grey, and the rest of the mutants find themselves under the leadership of Magneto and facing a new threat. X-Men ‘97 is the first project under the newly created Marvel Animation banner.
