Marvel Animation’s Brad Winderbaum rejected the claims that X-Men ’97 showrunner Beau DeMayo was fired from the show, but claims it was a mutual parting of ways.
(L-R): Bishop (voiced by Isaac Robinson-Smith), Cyclops (voiced by Ray Chase), Jean Grey (voiced by Jennifer Hale), Rogue (voiced by Lenore Zann), Morph (voiced by JP Karliak), Magneto (voiced by Matthew Waterson), Wolverine (voiced by Cal Dodd), Jubilee (voiced by Holly Chou), Beast (voiced by George Buza), and Gambit (voiced by AJ LoCascio) in Marvel Animation’s X-MEN ’97. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL.
Earlier this month on March 12, The Hollywood Reporter’s Borys Kit and Aaron Couch reported that DeMayo was fired and he “will no longer be promoting the show or moving forward with future seasons.”
The report details that DeMayo’s company email was shut down early last week and cast and crew for the series were notified he would no longer be working on the project. DeMayo also shut down his Instagram account.
The firing comes after DeMayo had reportedly completed writing a second season and was preparing a third season.
(L-R): Roberto Da Costa (voiced by Gui Agustini), Jubilee (voiced by Holly Chou), Gambit (voiced by AJ LoCascio), Cyclops (voiced by Ray Chase), Wolverine (voiced by Cal Dodd), Bishop (voiced by Isaac Robinson-Smith), Morph (voiced by JP Karliak), and Beast (voiced by George Buza) in Marvel Studios‘ X-MEN ’97. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2024 MARVEL.
READ: Report: ‘X-Men ’97’ Showrunner Fired Ahead Of Series Premiere On Disney+
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Winderbaum rejected the claim that DeMayo was fired. First, he praised DeMayo, “I can’t talk about the details, but I can say that Beau had real respect and passion for these characters and wrote what I think are excellent scripts that really the rest of the team were able to draw inspiration from [to] build this amazing show that’s on screen.”
Next, he specifically rejected the claim that DeMayo was fired. When asked if he would describe DeMayo’s departure of a firing, Winderbaum responded, “I don’t. ‘We parted ways’ is the best way I could say.
(L-R): Wolverine (voiced by Cal Dodd), Morph (voiced by JP Karliak), Bishop (voiced by Isaac Robinson-Smith), Cyclops (voiced by Ray Chase), Val Cooper (voiced by Catherine Disher), Gambit (voiced by AJ LoCascio), Rogue (voiced by Lenore Zann), and Storm (voiced by Alison Sealy-Smith) in Marvel Animation’s X-MEN ’97. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL.
Winderbaum had previously praised DeMayo in an interview with Variety as well. He told the outlet, “He did excellent work writing Seasons 1 and 2, and I can’t wait for fans to see the series.”
He added, “The entire team came together to create a revival worthy of the X-Men’s 60-year legacy. From Stan and Jack, to Claremont, to the Lewalds, we all truly were standing on the shoulders of giants.”
(L-R): Wolverine (voiced by Cal Dodd), Storm (voiced by Alison Sealy-Smith), Beast (voiced by George Buza), Jubilee (voiced by Holly Chou), Bishop (voiced by Isaac Robinson-Smith), Morph (voiced by JP Karliak), Gambit (voiced by AJ LoCascio), Rogue (voiced by Lenore Zann), Jean Grey (voiced by Jennifer Hale), and Cyclops (voiced by Ray Chase) in Marvel Animation’s X-MEN ’97. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL.
READ: ‘X-Men: The Animated Series’ Creators Defend Changes to Morph In ‘X-Men ’97’
As for what the plans are for the future of X-Men ’97 following the first season, Winderbaum revealed, “I’ve now seen versions of animatics for the entire second season.”
He added, “Obviously, when you’re in that stage, there’s a lot of work to do. It’s editorial, but it’s also still iterative because there’s still story to be worked out when you put it on its feet in that way. We’re going to start development on the third season very soon. And, yeah, we’re trying to figure out who is going to be that voice on the page, but luckily — that’s going to come as a surprise — there’s many talented X-Men fans, excellent writers.”
(L-R): Gambit (voiced by AJ LoCascio), Rogue (voiced by Lenore Zann), Jubilee (voiced by Holly Chou), Storm (voiced by Alison Sealy-Smith), Wolverine (voiced by Cal Dodd), Beast (voiced by George Buza), Morph (voiced by JP Karliak), and Bishop (voiced by Isaac Robinson-Smith) in Marvel Animation’s X-MEN ’97. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL.
What do you make of Winderbaum’s rejection that DeMayo was fired from X-Men ’97?
