Fans are eagerly awaiting the return of the X-Men in 2026 with season 2 of X-Men ’97. This season offers a chance for a classic Marvel villain to turn over a new leaf, especially after a disappointing portrayal in his last film appearance. The first season of X-Men ’97 – a reboot of the beloved X-Men: The Animated Series from the 90s – quickly became a hit for Marvel Studios, even though it exists outside the main Marvel Cinematic Universe. Despite some behind-the-scenes issues with the show’s creator, Beau DeMayo, leaving Marvel, excitement for season 2 remains high.
After the season 1 finale of X-Men ’97, which featured the X-Men battling multiple versions of Apocalypse, the powerful villain is set to be a major character in season 2. This could finally give Apocalypse the strong portrayal he deserves, after his poorly-received appearance in the 2016 film X-Men: Apocalypse. Oscar Isaac played the character in that film, but the movie version of Apocalypse was widely criticized by fans.
X-Men ’97 Will Finally Do Apocalypse Justice After His X-Men Movie Disappointment
In Marvel Comics, Apocalypse (born En Sabah Nur) is one of the oldest mutants. His powers first manifested during a fight with a version of Kang the Conqueror called Rama-Tut, and he began utilizing technology from the Celestials. Since his initial appearance in 1986’s X-Factor #5, Apocalypse has become a hugely powerful and feared enemy of the X-Men. Because the movie X-Men: Apocalypse significantly changed his backstory, motivations, and connection to the X-Men, it proved to be quite controversial, though Marvel Studios has the potential to portray him better in the future.
Although the villain Apocalypse wasn’t fully realized in the movie X-Men: Apocalypse, the X-Men ’97 season 2 promises a chance to explore his character further. The future storyline reveals Cyclops and Jean Grey encountering the Clan Askani and their son, Nathan, who was genetically engineered as a weapon against Apocalypse. Flashbacks show Professor X, Magneto, Rogue, Nightcrawler, and Beast meeting En Sabah Nur before he became Apocalypse. Currently, Apocalypse has discovered Gambit’s body amidst the wreckage of Genosha, hinting at Gambit’s resurrection as one of his powerful Horsemen of Death.
Season 2 of X-Men ’97 has a great opportunity to really flesh out the backstory of Apocalypse across multiple timelines, giving us a more detailed and comic-accurate version of the character than we’ve seen before. While previous attempts by 20th Century Fox fell short, Marvel Studios seems poised to do a better job, which is promising for a potential live-action return of Apocalypse to the main Marvel Cinematic Universe. With Jake Schreier’s X-Men reboot on the way, fans are wondering who the new X-Men team will face, and Apocalypse is a strong contender. Considering X-Men ’97 season 2 isn’t due until mid-2026, we’re looking forward to seeing what Marvel Studios has planned for the character.
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2025-12-28 16:12