X-Men ’97 has a new head writer. Marvel Animation has tapped Matthew Chauncey to write the forthcoming third season of the critically acclaimed revival of X-Men: The Animated Series.
Per Deadline, Chauncey succeeds Beau DeMayo in the role of head writer. DeMayo created X-Men ’97 and wrote its first and second seasons before exiting the project ahead of its March 20 premiere. Chauncey already has experience in the Marvel Universe, having been a writer/producer on What If…? since Season 1. He will work alongside X-Men ’97 director Jake Castorena, as well as consulting producers Larry Houston and Eric and Julia Lewald, who were showrunners and executive producers on X-Men: The Animated Series.
X-Men ’97 premiered on March 20 on Disney+ to critical acclaim, with many praising the mature writing, action sequences, and animation. The animated revival was also a huge hit for the streaming service, with the series premiere racking up four million views globally after only five days.
The first season, consisting of 10 episodes, picks up one year after the series finale of X-Men: The Animated Series, focusing on the titular team as they face new challenges under the leadership of their former adversary Magneto. The primary voice cast featured several returning stars from the original animated series, such as Alison Sealy-Smith as Storm, Cal Dodd as Wolverine, Lenore Zann as Rogue, and George Buza as Beast. Ray Chase, Jennifer Hale, J. P. Karliak, A. J. LoCascio, Holly Chou, and Matthew Waterson also star as Cyclops, Jean Grey, Morph, Gambit, Jubilee, and Magneto, respectively.
X-Men ’97 Season 2 Will Hit the Heights of Season 1
Season 2 of X-Men ’97 is currently in production, having been ordered by Marvel Studios at the same time as Season 1. While fans can surmise where Season 2 will take the X-Men following the events of the three-part Season 1 finale, “Tolerance Is Extinction,” Marvel Animation hasn’t officially revealed plot details.
However, executive producer Brad Winderbaum recently teased on The Official Marvel Podcast that they have “big plans for the second season.” He added, “I’ve already seen all the animatics and we’re well on our way to creating something that hits the heights of the first season. I know the first season is an emotional ride; that ride continues in a very X-Men fashion in the second season.”
More Marvel Animated Shows Are on the Way
Besides X-Men ’97 Seasons 2 and 3, Marvel Animation is hard at work on four further animated series: What If…? Season 3, Eyes of Wakanda, Marvel Zombies, and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Seasons 1 and 2. While What If…?, Marvel Zombies, and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man are set in alternate timelines of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Eyes of Wakanda “ties directly into the MCU,” revealed Winderbaum. “This is a story about Wakandan history.”
The first season of X-Men ’97 can be streamed on Disney+. A premiere date for Season 2 has not yet been announced.
