In recent developments that further spotlight his tumultuous relationship with Marvel Studios, former X-Men ’97 showrunner Beau DeMayo has leveled serious accusations against the studio’s handling of Black stories and talent.
Alongside his public criticisms of Marvel’s output, Demayo claims that Marvel doesn’t take Black stories seriously and has hinted that he’ll expose Marvel boss Kevin Feige as his court date against the company gets closer.\
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 23: (L-R) Taika Waititi and Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios attend the Thor: Love and Thunder World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in [Hollywood], California on June 23, 2022. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
On social media platform X, DeMayo responded to conversations about the upcoming Marvel project Wonderman, which controversially features a race-swapped protagonist—a black version of the historically white character.
The comment he replied to questioned whether the show was going to be satire.
I really want this show to be good but this makes sense as @MarvelStudios does not take black people or our stories seriously. How could they when you have top execs making race jokes about black writers in notes meeting or saying “well, you can pitch that b/c you’re black” https://t.co/ieYq4ret0K
— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) January 17, 2025
Expressing both hope for the show’s quality and concern over Marvel’s approach to Black narratives, he tweeted:
“I really want this show to be good, but this makes sense as @MarvelStudios does not take Black people or our stories seriously. How could they when you have top execs making race jokes about Black writers in notes meeting or saying ‘well, you can pitch that because you’re Black?’”
This reflects Demayo’s deep-seated frustration with what he perceives as a pattern of racial insensitivity and systemic bias within Marvel Studios, an organization known for race pandering and virtue signaling.
Beau DeMayo via Cool YouTube Guy YouTube
His critique resonates with his broader discontent with Marvel, following his firing from X-Men ’97. That separation was clouded by allegations that DeMayo sent inappropriate photos of himself to male staff members. DeMayo has repeatedly denied these allegations.
YouTuber YellowFlash quickly responded to Demayo’s tweet with a pointed comment, noting, “Woke Whites are the fakest of them all.”
There’s truth to this. Worst racism I’ve experienced in my life has been from “well-meaning” woke white people. They’re also oddly the LEAST receptive to constructive feedback on how they can do better.
— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) January 17, 2025
DeMayo replied candidly to this remark.
“There’s truth to this,” he said. “Worst racism I’ve experienced in my life has been from ‘well-meaning’ woke white people. They’re also oddly the LEAST receptive to constructive feedback on how they can do better.”
When asked if Marvel boss Kevin Feige was among those referenced in his initial comment regarding racism at Marvel, DeMayo remained vague.
“I can’t say at this juncture,” he said. “But will once the court date is closer.”
I can’t say at this juncture but will once the court date is closer
— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) January 17, 2025
Previously, DeMayo’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, filed a lawsuit against Marvel Studios in September seeking to invalidate the non-disparagement provision in DeMayo’s separation agreement with the company. Freedman contends that the clause violates new California law designed to limit the scope of nondisclosure agreements (NDAs), particularly those that could prevent employees from disclosing information about unlawful acts in the workplace, such as harassment or discrimination.
His recent comments about Marvel not taking Black stories seriously add a new layer to his ongoing dispute with the studio. When confronted with questions about Marvel’s commitment to its upcoming projects, such as the the live-action reboot of the X-Men series, DeMayo recounted a troubling incident from his time at X-Men ’97.
(L-R): Rogue (voiced by Lenore Zann), Jubilee (voiced by Holly Chou), Jean Grey (voiced by Jennifer Hale), Cyclops (voiced by Ray Chase), Roberto Da Costa (voiced by Gui Agustini), Nightcrawler (voiced by Adrian Hough), Storm (voiced by Alison Sealy-Smith), and Morph (voiced by JP Karliak) in Marvel Animation’s X-MEN ’97. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL
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He alleged that Marvel executives attempted to recast Storm for the show, initially rejecting legendary voice actress Alison Sealy-Smith, who brought the character to life in animation back in the 90s. This was reportedly because she didn’t sound “African enough,” according to DeMayo.
“It was odd hearing a table of White Marvel execs tell me and other Black crew members that we were wrong because she didn’t sound “African enough” — whatever that means,” DeMayo said. “We went with their pick, then they realized we were right and forced the team to break their backs re-recording half the season with the OG Storm.”
(L-R): Forge (voiced by Gil Birmingham), Storm (voiced by Alison Sealy-Smith), Beast (voiced by George Buza), and Morph (voiced by JP Karliak) in Marvel Animation’s X-MEN ’97. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL.
DeMayo’s accusations and his willingness to legally challenge Marvel and potentially expose Feige have added fuel to a larger conversation about representation, diversity, and accountability within Hollywood’s largest franchises from studios that wag their finger at the rest of us. As more details potentially emerge from ongoing legal proceedings, industry observers and fans alike are watching closely to see how the historically “woke” Marvel Studios and its parent company Disney, will respond to these allegations.
Do you believe Beau DeMayo? Does Marvel say one thing when it comes to “diverse storytelling’ and then do something else behind the scenes? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
