Wolverine snarling with his claws in X-Men '97

The reason Beau DeMayo had his credits from X-Men ’97 season 2 removed has seemingly been revealed. Finally, after decades of X-Men releases at Fox, Marvel Studios has started to develop projects based on the mutants. X-Men ’97 was the first project for the popular team under Marvel, and the animated series was a hit, creating even more anticipation for the MCU’s X-Men movie. While the show will continue for multiple seasons, X-Men ’97 season 2 and beyond will not be handled by season 1 showrunner DeMayo, and the creator has spoken about the reason for that.

On Twitter, showrunner Beau DeMayo claimed Marvel stripped him of his credits for X-Men ’97 season 2 due to a Cyclops fan art of himself as the character.

According to the animated series’ creator, a week after posting a fan art of himself as X-Men’s Cyclops to celebrate Gay Pride in June, Marvel sent him a letter pulling him off X-Men ’97 season 2 because of the post. DeMayo claims the move was only one of a series of behind-the-scenes issues he faced with Marvel Studios productions, including X-Men ’97 and a troubled upcoming Marvel movie, Blade.

UPDATE: 2024/08/16 00:06 EST BY RACHEL LABONTE

Marvel Responds To DeMayo’s Claim

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Marvel has issued a statement pushing back against DeMayo’s claim. The statement reads:

Mr. DeMayo was terminated in March 2024 following an internal investigation. Given the egregious nature of the findings, we severed ties with him immediately and he has no further affiliation with Marvel.

What Is Next For X-Men ‘97 Without Beau DeMayo

The Marvel Series Has Been Confirmed For Multiple Seasons

The X-Men look surprised as something attacks the manor in X-Men '97

While DeMayo will not be back for more seasons of X-Men ’97, the acclaimed Disney+ series is returning for more. X-Men ’97 seasons 2 and 3 have been announced, with Matthew Chauncey replacing DeMayo as showrunner. Chauncey is no stranger to Marvel, as he is a writer and producer on the animated multiverse series What If…? Chauncey wrote episodes like Infinity Ultron’s debut in “What If… Ultron Won?” and the season 2 finale, “What If… Strange Supreme Intervened?”

Chauncey has also taken over another lead role in a Marvel series, being the head writer for What If…? season 3, which is set to end the multiverse series. DeMayo revealed he had a five-season plan for X-Men ’97. At the moment, it is unclear if Marvel plans to follow that through or go even further with the animated series. Based on X-Men ’97 season 1’s success, the latter could very well be a possibility.

As for X-Men ’97 season 2’s story, the former showrunner still has a role in it. On Twitter, DeMayo said he wrote “a lot of X-Men ’97 season 2.” However, as he no longer works on the series, it is unknown how much of what he wrote will end up making it to the screen. X-Men ’97 season 1’s ending saw the team scattered through time, introducing En Sabah Nur, aka Apocalypse, which should make X-Men ’97 season 2 quite exciting.