“I thought it was over”: Marvel Fans Were Not Ready For the Death of Another Fan Favorite Character in X-Men ‘97 Final Episode

The animated show wraps up its first season on a high note and gives a few clues to the direction that season 2 may take!

Well, that was quite the ending! We imagine you have a lot of questions regarding the popular Disney+ show’s finale. Beau DeMayo’s animated series certainly went out with a bang in the final episode of its first season, titled Tolerance Is Extinction – Part 3. 

Marvel put a great finish to the first season of X-Men ‘97, laying the groundwork for an exciting future for the revived mutant series and raising the stakes significantly for the live-action X-Men films in the MCU.

En Sabah Nur, aka Apocalypse in X-Men ’97

Even though the X-Men saved the planet once again and maybe even partially restored humanity’s faith in them, this was not a happy ending, and many questions remain for the already-confirmed second season of X-Men ‘97.

Amidst all this, Nightcrawler gave no quarter, relentlessly hitting Bastien with his teammates’ attacks by teleporting him! However, fans were concerned about his “life” while he was fighting Bastion.

X-Men ‘97 Recap: A Time-Hopping Adventure with Nightcrawler, Cyclops & Clan Askani

Season 1 of Beau DeMayo’s X-Men ‘97 kicked off with a bang as Magneto made his long-awaited return after Xavier convinced him to be a hero once again. But as the rock’s gravity drives were destroyed, Bastion met his demise, and the base disappeared in what seemed like an implosion—or could it be a wormhole?

Clues were subtly seeded out throughout the season, which suggested this event was no accident.

Meanwhile, Rogue and Nightcrawler found themselves in 3000 B.C., where they enlisted the help of Magneto to fend off attackers and save a mysterious stranger, En Sabah Nur (the early incarnation of Apocalypse). This twist hinted at a reinterpretation of the villain’s origin story, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.

Nightcrawler in X-Men ‘97

But the surprises didn’t stop there. Cyclops and Jean were sent to the future in 3960 A.D., where they encountered Clan Askani, throwing a whole new set of challenges their way. Amidst all the excitement and time-traveling shenanigans, fans couldn’t help but worry for Nightcrawler’s safety as he went head-to-head with Bastion. The tension was palpable, and it felt like their “lungs were robbed” of air with each passing moment.

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Having said that, fans can find relief since their fan-favorite character actually didn’t die. The first season’s central themes of trauma and unity were expertly brought full circle in the finale, which was a fitting conclusion.

The Voice Actor Discussed Gambit’s Death In X-Men ‘97 

Even though X-Men ‘97 has been highly praised, the show suffered a great blow when one of the fan-favorite characters, Remy LeBeau (Gambit), was killed in the Remember It episode of X-Men ‘97. The character is voiced by A. J. LoCascio in X-Men ‘97.

A.J. LoCascio’s Gambit in X-Men ’97

Although Gambit’s death was a noble and heroic sacrifice, the fans, who had only recently grown accustomed to seeing their favorite character again, did not find it acceptable. As a result, a number of theories explaining how the series might be able to bring him back have been circulating on the internet.

Chris Potter, who played Gambit’s original voice in X-Men: The Animated Series, said that although he is saddened by the character’s demise, only Cable has the power to bring him back. And Potter revealed his own theory—or possibly a spoiler—about how the series can bring Remy LeBeau back while speaking at the Calgary Expo 2024 (via Agents of Fandom).

“They told me I’d be playing a new character. I said, ‘What do you mean? I’m Gambit.’ They said, ‘Not anymore, we’re killing him off in episode 3. You’re going to be Cable now.’ Now, as it turns out, Cable is the only one who can bring Gambit back.” 

Last month, in an interview with Screen Rant, Jake Castorena, the head director and supervising producer of X-Men ‘97, stated that Gambit and Magneto were dead and would not be returning in any capacity.

Anyway, as X-Men ‘97 continues to weave a complex and thrilling narrative with twists and turns around every corner, we can’t wait to see where the story takes us next!

X-Men ‘97 is now available on Disney+.