Neve Campbell Was Cast as Polaris in X-Men 97 Cartoon, Not the MCU

A new rumor from scooper MyTimeToShineHello suggested that Scream icon Neve Campbell had been cast as Polaris in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But former X-Men ’97 showrunner Beau DeMayo has stepped in to set the record straight.

Incorrect. I cast her as Polaris in Season 2 of #xmen97. She does amazing work bringing something new, and felt right to have a 90s icon pick up where Lorna’s story was left in “Cold Comfort.”

She’s got some thoughts on Genosha. https://t.co/WKrSbghWsu

— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) May 13, 2025

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“Incorrect,” DeMayo wrote bluntly on X. “I cast her as Polaris in Season 2 of #xmen97. She does amazing work bringing something new, and felt right to have a 90s icon pick up where Lorna’s story was left in ‘Cold Comfort.’ She’s got some thoughts on Genosha.”

Polaris: A Complicated Legacy

Polaris—real name Lorna Dane—is one of the more complex characters in X-Men lore. First introduced in The X-Men #49 in 1968, she possesses powerful magnetic abilities that closely mirror those of her father, Magneto. Though her parentage was originally left ambiguous, Marvel eventually confirmed her as Magneto’s daughter in Uncanny X-Men #431 (2003).

Polaris in the original Fox X-Men Cartoon – YouTube, xaeterna

Her powers include manipulation of magnetic fields, electromagnetic perception, and flight, making her one of the more formidable mutants in the comics.

Cold Comfort

The only appearance of Polaris in the original X-Men: The Animated Series came in Season 3, Episode 11, titled Cold Comfort. In this episode, Iceman (Bobby Drake) attempts to rescue his former lover, Lorna, who he believes is being held against her will. Instead, he discovers she has joined the government-sponsored mutant team X-Factor and is engaged to fellow team member Havok—Cyclops’ younger brother.

Polaris and Ice Man in the original Fox X-Men Cartoon – YouTube, xaeterna

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The episode ends with Iceman walking away heartbroken, but Polaris’s arc is left unresolved. Her motivations, loyalties, and future were all left hanging—until now. DeMayo’s decision to bring her back for X-Men ’97 Season 2 appears to be a direct continuation of that storyline, likely exploring the emotional and political aftermath of events like the Genosha tragedy.

“She’s got some thoughts on Genosha,” DeMayo hinted, referencing the Season 1 finale that saw the mutant island annihilated in a shocking act. Given Polaris’s familial connection to Magneto and her nuanced comic book history, her perspective could provide a powerful narrative lens for exploring the fallout.

Behind the Scenes Drama

DeMayo revealed that he cast and recorded Neve Campbell’s voiceover work for Polaris in late 2023 or early 2024. However, he didn’t do so without opposition.

No I casted and recorded her way back in late 2023/early 2024.

Granted, there was the one day-today-day Marvel exec — the same who gave me grief about being too much of a comic book nerd — who fought me ever step of the way and tried to have me fire her.

I fought and… https://t.co/nEffEQ8Xza

— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) May 13, 2025

“Granted, there was the one day-to-day Marvel exec — the same who gave me grief about being too much of a comic book nerd — who fought me every step of the way and tried to have me fire her,” DeMayo said. “I fought and declined.”

That quote gives further insight into the growing tensions between DeMayo and Marvel. Despite being the driving creative force behind X-Men ’97, a show that received positive critical reviews,  DeMayo was quietly removed from the series just before its premiere with no public explanation from the studio. Rumors swirled following his firing about inappropriate conduct behind the scenes, but DeMayo has emphatically denied them.

Beau DeMayo via Cool YouTube Guy YouTube

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He’s since become more vocal about what he describes as internal politics, creative interference, and disdain among some Marvel executives for comic book accuracy.

Polaris in X-Men ’97 Season 2

Polaris’s presence in the second season is more than just a cameo—it’s a continuation of her story, one that DeMayo clearly intended to handle with care and depth. The combination of her mutant powers, complex relationship with Magneto, and emotional baggage from her past makes her an ideal character to help explore the consequences of Genosha’s destruction and what it means for mutantkind going forward.

Wolverine (voiced by Cal Dodd) in Marvel Animation’s X-MEN ’97. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL.

And Neve Campbell, as a 90s icon herself, was seemingly chosen as Polaris intentionally to reflect the era’s tone and style. DeMayo’s comments suggest the casting was more than nostalgia—it was thematic.

Whether Polaris will make her way into the MCU proper remains to be seen. But for now, fans should look to X-Men ’97 Season 2 for her long-awaited return—and Neve Campbell’s debut in the world of mutants.

Just don’t expect Beau DeMayo to be in the credits.

How do you feel about Neve Campbell as Polaris? Sound off in the comments and let us know!

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