X-Men ’97 creator Beau DeMayo is fighting back against Disney and Marvel Studios after being fired from the series earlier in 2024. Through X-Men ’97, 2024 marked the year of the return of X-Men: The Animated Series, one of the most beloved Marvel properties of all time. However, while the sequel series found quick success, troubles behind the scenes have emerged throughout the year, with multiple reports surrounding the firing of DeMayo, who was the showrunner for season 1 and the forthcoming X-Men ’97 season 2.
In a new 30-minute video on DeMayo’s OnlyFans account (via Variety and Deadline), the former X-Men ’97 showrunner is accusing Marvel Studios and Disney of misconduct following multiple accusations about his behavior while working on the Marvel animated series and the Mahershala Ali Blade movie. In DeMayo’s statement, the creator slammed the studios for how they treated him, stating the following:
The rumors being spread around me online are lies, and they are offensive, but more concerning is that they’re a smear campaign designed to discredit my credibility in order to cover up the egregious prejudicial misconduct stretching from select crew members on X-Men ’97 , all the way all the way to the top at Marvel Studios.
Beau DeMayo’s Marvel Firing Explained
DeMayo & Marvel Have Conflicting Accounts
After Marvel Studios let go of DeMayo in March 2024, it wasn’t until late summer that additional reports began to reveal what had gone down between him and the executives. On August 15, The Hollywood Reporter released a statement from a Marvel Studios spokesperson who said, “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.” According to sources close to the trade, the investigations concluded that DeMayo had been fired due to sexual misconduct.
That same week, DeMayo claimed through his X (formerly known as Twitter) account that he was fired for sharing fan art of himself as Cyclops during Gay Pride in June, costing him his X-Men ’97 season 2 credits. The studios hit back, stating that it was because DeMayo had violated the terms that were made in his termination agreement at the time of his departure. DeMayo has stated on his OnlyFans account that “this is the only place you’re gonna hear the WHOLE truth,” implying that he will be making more statements about his time on X-Men ’97 and the long-gestating Blade.
Whether Marvel Studios and Disney will respond to DeMayo’s latest comments remains to be seen. However, given that DeMayo and his lawyer, Bryan Freedman, are taking this to court, it would not be shocking if Disney and Marvel Studios made a new statement very shortly. As of right now, Disney+ has not set a new premiere date for X-Men ’97 season 2, which is currently in the works.
