X-Men ’97 episode 7’s cameos may hint at another animated series revival, which could lead to the return of the MCU’s shared universe predecessor.

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for X-Men ’97 episode 7, “Bright Eyes”

An X-Men ’97 cameo suggests that Marvel is restoring its original shared universe, which predates the MCU’s creation by more than a decade. X-Men ’97 episode 7 “Bright Eyes” follows the X-Men as they recover from the Fall of Genosha, with Rogue manifesting her grief as pure rage. This puts her on a quest to find the man she believes is responsible for the attack, Henry Gyrich. However, Rogue’s mission doesn’t go as planned, and instead of Gyrich, she crosses paths with other Marvel characters who are less than enthusiastic about her confrontational attitude.

Although the series focuses on the titular mutant team, X-Men ’97 episode 7’s Marvel cameos and references confirm that it’s set in a universe inhabited by other well-known Marvel characters. As shown by X-Men ’97 episode 7’s Captain America cameo, Steve Rogers is an active superhero in the present day, and he might participate in the Avengers’ world-saving battles off-screen. Mutant affairs may be too complicated to attract non-mutant superheroes, but if the circumstances allow it, Marvel icons like the Avengers, Spider-Man, and the Fantastic Four could eventually step in.

General Ross’ X-Men ‘97 Cameo Hints At Hulk’s Reintroduction

X-Men ’97 Suggests The Incredible Hulk Exists Somewhere Out There

X-Men ‘97 episode 7 features General Ross in a cameo appearance at the military base Rogue attacks. Ross is confident that Rogue will be unable to enter, as the base was built specifically to withstand the Hulk. Ross’ mention of the Hulk suggests that the Jade Giant exists somewhere out there, despite the fact that the X-Men haven’t met him or mentioned him. Hulk only made a cameo in X-Men: The Animated Series in the form of a Danger Room simulation, which Professor X used to distract Juggernaut when the villain attacked the X-Mansion.

Hulk had his own 1990s animated show, The Incredible Hulk, which was almost fully set in the same universe as X-Men: The Animated Series. However, the production of various parallel animated shows proved to be troublesome for Marvel, and The Incredible Hulk became a short-lived standalone title. Since The Incredible Hulk wasn’t nearly as popular as X-Men: The Animated Series and X-Men ’97 can easily renovate Marvel’s Animated Universe for modern audiences, future animated shows could have all the freedom to reintroduce the Hulk and incorporate him into other heroes’ stories.

A modern revival of The Incredible Hulk animated series could be the perfect substitute for live-action Hulk solo movies, which the MCU has avoided for sixteen years.

What Happened To Marvel’s Original Animated Universe

The Production Model Of The Time Prevented Marvel’s Animated Universe From Being A Thing

Marvel almost had a shared universe composed of X-Men: The Animated Series, The Incredible Hulk, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Fantastic Four, and Silver Surfer — all within a single continuity. However, the rushed airing schedule of each show and the lack of previously established plans led to several unexpected changes, which in turn resulted in continuity problems and the scrapping of the unified universe. Spider-Man managed to cross over with every other series multiple times, but the only show it shared consistent continuity with was X-Men: The Animated Series.

Despite the increasing continuity issues, Spider-Man featured multiple appearances by characters from all the 1990s animated Marvel shows. Marvel disregarded the possible confusion its animated universe could cause among viewers and moved forward with Avengers: United They Stand, introducing the West Coast Avengers. Yet, Iron Man and Captain America only returned in guest appearances, and the show was canceled after only thirteen episodes. Avengers: United They Stand marked the end of Marvel’s Animated Universe until X-Men ’97 came to revive it twenty-four years later.

X-Men ‘97 Is The Perfect Show To Revive The Marvel Animated Universe

Marvel’s Original Plans For A Shared Animated Universe Are Possible Again

Not only does X-Men ’97 take up where X-Men: The Animated Series left off, but it also overhauls the original show’s art style, character design, dialog and animation quality, overarching story, and even its tone. X-Men ’97‘s acclaimed episode 5 twist ending is proof that the show has come a long way from the rushed yet beloved episodes from the original series while still retaining its comic-accurate essence. X-Men ’97‘s popularity could lead to the revival of the equally popular Spider-Man animated series — one with the same degree of quality and attention to detail.

Just like the Phase 1 movies Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger laid the foundations for the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, X-Men ’97 and a Spider-Man animated series revival could ease viewers into a modern Marvel Animated Universe. Only a few minor tweaks and retcons would be needed to bring characters like Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, and the Fantastic Four into the mix. And if every show works on an individual level, it wouldn’t be too difficult to reboot Avengers: United They Stand for modern audiences, introducing an animated version of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes who aren’t based directly on their MCU counterparts.