In a lengthy public post, Beau DeMayo, the former creator of Disney+’s X-Men ’97, revealed details about challenging and demoralizing creative sessions with Kevin Feige at Marvel Studios, which he described as disorganized.
(L-R): Professor X (voiced by Ross Marquand) and Magneto (voiced by Matthew Waterson) in Marvel Animation’s X-MEN ’97. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. ©: Superman Actor Dean Cain Announces Intention to Join ICE Amid Backlash from Hollywood ‘Peers’
DeMayo, fired in March 2024 amid allegations of misconduct—which he denies—claims his termination was retaliation for clashing with executives over artistic vision. His latest revelations, shared on August 8, 2025, detail a “slaughterhouse factory” environment where innovative ideas are stifled by mediocrity, executive egos, and contempt for comic book source material.
Background: DeMayo’s Rise and Fall at Marvel
Beau DeMayo garnered recognition for his contributions to Marvel ventures, such as scripting for ‘Moon Knight’ and spearheading ‘X-Men ’97’, a reboot of the popular 1990s cartoon series. The series debuted in March 2024 to widespread praise for its accurate comic adaptations and sophisticated storytelling. However, DeMayo was let go unexpectedly before the premiere due to an internal probe into allegations of inappropriate behavior, including accusations of sexual misconduct and improper conduct.
DeMayo argues that his dismissal resulted from sharing PRIDE-themed artwork and challenging studio meddling. The situation became more heated when Marvel withdrew his Season 2 recognition in June 2024, which he called a reprisal. Additionally, despite the show’s nomination for an Emmy in 2024, DeMayo was overlooked.
Over time, DeMayo’s public critiques have become more forceful. In June 2025, he strongly condemned a Marvel director hire as “extremely disappointing” in a since-deleted post, alleging that the studio was being dishonest and abusive.
Apart from pointing out specific problems, he’s also emphasized systemic issues such as inappropriate treatment towards staff members and an unhealthy work environment. By the end of 2024, he criticized What If…? Season 3 as a sign of deteriorating creativity.
(L-R): Cyclops (voiced by Ray Chase), Beast (voiced by George Buza), Jean Grey (voiced by Jennifer Hale), Roberto Da Costa (voiced by Gui Agustini), Jubilee (voiced by Holly Chou), Morph (voiced by JP Karliak), and Storm (voiced by Alison Sealy-Smith) in Marvel Animation’s X-MEN ’97. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL.
DeMayo presents himself as a champion for creative professionals, contending that Marvel tends to view them as expendable, focusing more on executive authority instead. Previously, DeMayo has suggested there could be upcoming disclosures of a legal nature.
Inside the Meetings: Dismissing Comics and Stifling Innovation
DeMayo’s August 8th post depicts Marvel’s creative process as “unpleasant,” likening it to a factory that churns out ideas and often mutilates the good ones.
To those asking why I’m not so hard on #Superman, the answer is I’ve never worked with Gunn or DC.
In a similar fashion to Matt Shankman and the writers of Fantastic Four, I’ve attended creative gatherings at Marvel Studios. These meetings can be quite challenging.
You basically sit in a room with Kevin Feige and…
— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) August 9, 2025
In simpler terms, during discussions about Marvel’s creative projects with Feige and Louis D’Esposito, ideas inspired by comics were often turned down because D’Esposito isn’t particularly fond of comics. It is said that Victoria Alonso, a former producer, used to bring homemade cookies to meetings as a way to cheer people up after experiencing harsh treatment from higher-ups.
Discussions about plot and characters frequently simplify into general suggestions such as “ensure it’s entertaining,” without offering a clear, imaginative perspective.
Regarding the overdue Blade reboot, DeMayo proposed blending aspects from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, specifically characters like Wanda Maximoff and the Darkhold. One script idea involved vampire Deacon Frost employing blood magic at Mount Wundagore, exploring Chthon’s history, and introducing monstrous creatures into the storyline.
Feige found appealing the notion of creating a substance that weakened Blade, similar to Kryptonite for Superman. However, D’Esposito considered it too reminiscent of comic books, and Ali was reluctant towards the magical theme. This concept was ultimately dropped, leading to the project’s instability since its announcement in 2019, as various writers and directors came and went.
Clashes on X-Men ’97: Contempt for Fans and Creators
According to DeMayo, he proposed including the original creators of the X-Men: The Animated Series, Eric and Julia Lewald, but Marvel Animation executive Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt disregarded them as figures “intended more for viewing than speaking,” allegedly to please fans.
Attempts to work together with renowned comic creators such as Chris Claremont or Joe Madureira hit a roadblock, and DeMayo faced criticism for being overly affectionate towards fans. He alleges that Marvel shows blatant disregard towards comic book writers, mirroring the sentiments expressed by artist Rob Liefeld.
Endgame” drop to an overconfidence that led them to prioritize actor satisfaction and job security over creative input by the writers.
He attributes it to a team member, stating that all positive ideas originated from Kevin. Essentially, he considers Kevin as the star or prominent figure.
It seems that Kevin and Marvel once placed faith in their directors and scriptwriters to carry out their responsibilities effectively. These responsibilities include channeling the audience’s affection for their intellectual properties, along with their extensive filmmaking skills, to bring these stories to life in a captivating manner on screen.
But, success gets to folks and soon you start getting high off your own…
— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) August 9, 2025
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but share some intriguing insights about the creation of X-Men ’97. Unlike other projects that required extensive oversight from Kevin Feige, this one was swiftly greenlit by Brad Winderbaum, which apparently didn’t sit well with certain executives.
According to reports, Vasquez-Eberhardt reportedly stated that there would be no breaks for the crew, instead suggesting they bring in fresh talent for the betterment of the show, which could imply a certain disposability of the artists involved.
According to reports, Feige perceived the show as a “critique of Marvel’s flaws,” drawing parallels to Fox’s X-Men films, such as X2, which he was involved in producing. As a result, both Feige and D’Esposito chose not to attend the premiere.
DeMayo expressed his disapproval of abandoning the Kang storyline following Jonathan Majors’ problems and instead casting Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, using the word “lackadaisical” to describe his feelings. In response to Marvel’s refusal, he organized a $10,000 fan-exclusive wrap party all on his own, an event that some chose to boycott.
Looking Forward: Healing, a Movie, and Industry Contrasts
DeMayo says he’s recovering and penning a film about his Marvel saga.
He praises DC Studios under James Gunn for promoting energetic collaborations, which contrast sharply with the toxic environment at Marvel.
Although his story suggests that corporations have influenced him, it’s just one viewpoint in an ongoing dispute. Marvel has yet to comment on this matter, but previously mentioned misconduct as the reason for his dismissal. This discussion brings up concerns about the direction of the Marvel Cinematic Universe due to delays in films like Blade.
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2025-08-10 16:59