Fox’s X-Men: The Animated Series is being rebooted on Disney+, with Marvel and Disney commissioning the show X-Men ’97, but is it connected to the MCU?
Marvel regained the film and TV rights to the X-Men when Disney acquired most of Fox’s film and TV empire, and it’s only a matter of time before mutants join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, Marvel isn’t in a hurry.
While they have incorporated some former Fox properties into their shared cinematic universe, they have been focusing on “non-marquee” characters and concepts for now.
Is X-Men 97 In The MCU? Which Universe is X-Men 97?
According to Disney, X-Men ’97 is a continuation of the original animated series and not part of the MCU. It’s set in a universe of its own, where mutants are common, and there is a lot of anti-mutant prejudice.
It’s also technically in the same world as Spider-Man: The Animated Series, which means there are many other superheroes in existence, such as Doctor Strange, Captain America, the Fantastic Four, and Iron Man.
In simple terms, X-Men ’97 will be the first Marvel Studios production not connected to the MCU storyline and having its separate storyline.
The first few seasons of X-Men: The Animated Series firmly established the mutants’ place in popular culture, but unfortunately, the X-Men show declined as it went on, mainly because different animation houses got involved.
While Marvel is sure to want to recall the spirit of those first seasons, the animation will get an upgrade for the present day, much as Disney’s Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 7 looked visually more impressive than those produced under George Lucas.
X-Men: The Animated Series ended with the episode “Graduation Day,” with Professor X transported off-world by his beloved Lilandra after anti-mutant fanatic Henry Gyrich almost killed him.
The story of X-Men: The Animated Series was continued initially in a comic book series, X-Men ’92, by Chad Bowers, Chris Sims, and Alti Firmansyah.
The Marvel Studios version of X-Men will undoubtedly take a similar approach, adopting the countless comic book adventures that have been published since the animated show ended.
It will be particularly exciting to see if Marvel Studios chooses to adapt Jonathan Hickman’s X-Men relaunch, which introduced a bold new status quo for the X-Men.
How is X-Men’97 connected to Deadpool & Wolverine?
Not only does the Watcher’s cameo in X-Men ’97 episode 5 suggest a connection to the MCU, but it’s also possible that Deadpool and Wolverine’s Cassandra Nova masterminded the attack on Genosha.
Perhaps Cassandra Nova is pruned by the Time Variance Authority following this devastating attack. This would explain her appearance in the Void at the end of time in Deadpool & Wolverine’s trailer. This would create strong bonds between the MCU and X-Men ’97 but could also present some problems.
If the version of Cassandra Nova seen in Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine is the same as the one who waged war on Genosha in the animated X-Men ’97, this could mean audiences will never see the MCU’s adaptation of the E is for Extinction event.
Indeed, X-Men ’97’s depiction of this storyline will already be incredibly tough to match, as the emotional gut-punch of Magneto and Gambit’s deaths won’t be forgotten soon, so Marvel Studios may avoid adopting this event again anyway. Nevertheless, it’s very possible that Deadpool & Wolverine’s Cassandra Nova could be introduced in X-Men ’97 first.
Where to watch X-Men 97?
You can watch X-Men ’97 and all its episodes in the United States exclusively on Disney+.
About X-Men ’97
X-Men ’97 is an upcoming American Marvel Studios animated streaming television series, created for Disney+. X-Men: The Animated Series producers and showrunners Eric and Julia Lewald are working as consultants on the show, which will be executive produced by head writer Beau DeMayo.
The series stars Cal Dodd as Wolverine, Lenore Zann as Rogue, George Buza as Beast, Catherine Disher as Jean Grey, Chris Potter as Gambit, Alison Sealy-Smith as Storm, Adrian Hough as Nightcrawler, Christopher Britton as Mister Sinister, Alyson Court, Jennifer Hale, Anniwaa Buachie, Ray Chase, Matthew Waterson, J.P. Karliak, Holly Chou, Jeff Bennett, and A.J. LoCascio.
It is a revival of the 1992 animated series X-Men: The Animated Series and will continue where the original series left off. Plot details for X-Men ‘97 have not been revealed yet but according to Marvel.com, the series will begin with an “impactful event” that brings the X-Men back together.
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