X-Men: The Animated Series’ classic opening sequence gets a LEGO makeover in celebration of X-Men ’97’s successful reception by Marvel fans.

Cyclops Smiles in X-Men 97 and the Mutants Assemble in LEGO Marvel X-Men Mini-Figures

Marvel fan recreates X-Men: The Animated Series‘ opening in honor of X-Men ’97‘s popularity. Twenty-seven years after X-Men: The Animated Series‘ cancelation, X-Men ’97 takes up right where it left off and revisits its popular take on the iconic Marvel mutant team. Improved on every front — including its visuals, dialog, and art style — X-Men ’97 modernizes the original animated show for modern audiences, and encourages new viewers to experience the 1990s series for the first time.

Stop-motion artist and Marvel fan LegoBricks Studio crafts an incredibly accurate LEGO recreation of X-Men: The Animated Series‘ classic opening sequence, complete with VFX for each character’s power, faithful transitions, and a cameo by Deadpool. This X-Men homage’s attention to detail extends to the facial expressions and outfit changes seen in the original show’s intro sequence. See the video below:

Why The LEGO Style Fits X-Men ’97 So Well

The Show’s 90s Setting Is Perfect For A LEGO Movie

Heroes and villains unite on the SHIELD Helicarrier

X-Men: The Animated Series is inherently a staple of the 1990s. The first X-Men comics kickstarted the mutants’ Marvel history in the 1960s, the release of Giant-Size X-Men reinvigorated the property in the 1970s, and storylines like The Dark Phoenix Saga and Days of Future Past took the X-Men to new heights in the 1980s. However, X-Men: The Animated Series may have been the most popular X-Men product of the ’90s. The show was synonymous with Saturday morning cartoons, and it led to the release of wildly successful merchandise.

LEGO also reached its heyday in the 1990s, when pop culture merchandise experienced a huge boost in popularity. Although Marvel-branded LEGO sets only arrived until much later, Toy Biz’s official X-Men: The Animated Series were inseparable from the show. Now, with X-Men ’97 reviving the 1990s continuity, it would make sense for LEGO to release official minifigures of Marvel’s famous mutants. Likewise, a LEGO X-Men movie loosely based on X-Men: The Animated Series and X-Men ’97 would match the brand and the shows’ 1990s nostalgia perfectly.

Unfortunately, it’s not as easy for a Marvel-themed LEGO movie to come to fruition as it is for DC-themed LEGO films like The LEGO Batman Movie given Warner Bros.’ partnership with LEGO. In fact, the LEGO movie rights have been acquired by Universal, causing The LEGO Batman Movie‘s sequel to be canceled. For now, a LEGO Marvel movie seems unlikely, so the 1990s nostalgia seems to lie exclusively on X-Men ’97. Though, X-Men ’97‘s success could lead to the Marvel Animated Universe’s revival, and in turn, to more fan tributes and 1990s-inspired merchandise.