Former X-Men 97 Showrunner Accuses Marvel of Discrimination, Threatens Legal Action

Beau DeMayo, who was previously in charge of “X-Men ’97”, recently shared a video addressing the accusations made against him. In this video, he also puts forth some severe allegations towards Marvel Studios, suggesting instances of bias and reprisal.

In a nearly 30-minute video, which was shared on both his premium platform and YouTube (we obtained it from YouTube…), DeMayo refutes the misconduct claims that resulted in his dismissal from X-Men ’97 and hints at bringing legal action against Marvel to disclose any related information.

If DeMayo’s claims are accurate, this would undeniably be a stark contradiction to Marvel and its parent company Disney, who are often associated with promoting diversity and inclusivity in their projects, particularly when it comes to racial and sexual themes. However, DeMayo has been a contentious figure within the fan community for quite some time now, as he frequently introduces gender politics into the Morph character and alleges that fans are misinterpreting the platonic nature of Wolverine and Morph’s relationship by labeling it as heterosexual.

Addressing the Allegations Against Him

In the beginning of the video, DeMayo spoke about the claims that he had shared inappropriate pictures with male coworkers. These were the same charges that emerged after his departure from X-Men ’97.

He acknowledged that the accusations being leveled against him are severe, and he’s treating them with utmost importance. That’s why he spent the last few weeks away, on one hand to collaborate with his legal team on a suitable response, but primarily to spend time with his loved ones… and as I stand here today, I want you all to know that the accusations of grave misconduct are untrue.

In my perspective as a film critic, DeMayo alleges that the criticism he’s faced is a strategically planned character assassination by Marvel Studios. This seemingly harsh judgment is, in his view, an underhanded tactic to silence him after he voiced concerns about prejudice and unscrupulous actions within the company.

He went on to say that rumors about him circulating online are false and hurtful. What’s even more troubling is that these rumors appear to be part of a smear tactic, intended to undermine my reputation. This strategy seems to reach as far back as certain crew members on X-Men ’97 and extends up to the higher echelons of Marvel Studios, possibly concealing serious instances of prejudicial misconduct.

Accusations of Racism and Discrimination at Marvel

DeMayo claimed that Marvel Studios fostered an unfriendly workplace atmosphere and exploited his personal identity against him.

He stated that Marvel executives and certain crew members misused his identity within the studio, turning it into a tool to undermine him, fostering a humiliating atmosphere where people felt empowered to employ age-old derogatory stereotypes often favored by prejudiced individuals. He was described as large, intimidating, outspoken, angry, emotional, flamboyant, dramatic, and a potential pervert.

Previously, DeMayo criticized the casting selection for Storm in X-Men ’97, disclosing that Marvel executives dismissed his suggestions since they felt the chosen actress didn’t have a voice considered “sufficiently African.

Demayo’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, has previously filed a lawsuit against Marvel. The legal action was initiated in September with the intention of nullifying the non-criticism agreement that Demayo signed during his departure. According to Freedman, this agreement breaches California law as it restricts whistleblowing activities, allowing employees to reveal information about illegal activities within the workplace such as harassment or discrimination.

According to DeMayo, Marvel retaliated against him for reporting misconduct on the set of Blade.

The final incident that pushed me over the edge was when I arrived in Atlanta for work on Blade, and I noticed others being treated similarly. Being instructed to ‘whip things into shape’ – a phrase used in Atlanta, Georgia, at Tyler Perry Studios, which were once barracks during the Civil War.

DeMayo Calls Out Disney’s Feminist Agenda in X-Men ’97

DeMayo emphasized a feminist perspective that appeared to diminish male characters within X-Men ’97. He suggested that some members of the production team openly disfavored male characters, notably Cyclops, who has historically held a leadership role among the X-Men in both comic books and animated versions.

He expressed that it’s inappropriate for the artist on the program to consistently label all men as inconsiderate and to blame him specifically for not supporting the movement because he allows a ‘jerk’ such as Cyclops to continue leading the team.

It seems that some individuals at Marvel may have aimed to reduce Cyclops’ significance and instead push a storyline more focused on personal agendas. This is consistent with the broader accusation that Disney and Marvel are favoring female-centric narratives or ideological themes over traditional male superheroes, which has sparked controversy. It appears that DeMayo’s opposition to these alterations may have stirred up conflicts during his work on X-Men ’97.

Accusations of Workplace Misconduct and Harassment

Moreover, DeMayo outlined numerous instances of unacceptable conduct by Marvel’s executives and staff, such as:

DeMayo further elaborated on various occasions where Marvel’s executives and team members displayed inappropriate behavior, which included:

A producer showing his Instagram photos to underage family members and making lewd comments:

During my time at Marvel, I encountered actions that were not only inappropriate but also unethical. It’s completely unacceptable when a crew producer, who frequently explains things incorrectly from a white perspective to his superior, responds to concerns voiced on January 9th of this year with something along the lines of, “This has nothing to do with me being white.” Similarly, it’s wrong for that same producer to continuously joke about sharing my social media posts, which could be considered inappropriate ‘thirst traps’, with his underage son and then wondering if they need to buy him gifts for Christmas.

An executive making racially charged comments while reviewing his Blade script:

It’s inappropriate for Marvel executives to congratulate themselves while providing feedback on a Blade script. A group of white men chuckling as they inform me, ‘See what we did? We brought back a younger version of Wesley Snipes for the new Blade movie.’

An executive dismissing his concerns about discrimination:

It’s inappropriate for Marvel executives to express skepticism or disdain when I bring up issues related to bullying and harassment based on my identity, and suggesting that I should simply tolerate it because the perpetrators are exceptionally skilled is unacceptable.

This revised sentence maintains the original meaning while being more natural and easy to read, using less formal language and a clearer structure for improved comprehension.

Claims of Professional Sabotage and Retaliation

Additionally, DeMayo claimed that Marvel was not only removing his work on the series ‘X-Men ’97‘, but they also allegedly barred him from participating in related events.

As a movie critic, I’ve found myself in an unusual situation. I’ve been told by Marvel’s publicity team that the crew members should refrain from discussing their positive work experiences with me during interviews. In some cases, they even interrupted ongoing interviews on platforms like IGN and made them re-record answers that somehow managed to exclude my involvement.

He also says that Marvel blacklisted him from panels and award shows.

He went on to explain that Marvel declined his invitations and prevented him from participating in events such as the Emmy Awards. Furthermore, they deliberately excluded him from third-party conventions not owned by Disney, like Comic-Con panels.

On the Creation of X-Men ’97 and Its Themes

DeMayo proudly acknowledged that the themes in X-Men ’97 were influenced by his own life experiences.

He stated, “I didn’t include those lines haphazardly.” This was his assertion that the lines reflected his personal experiences with how Marvel Studios may have treated him due to his race and sexuality.

Willingness to Cooperate with Disney but Prepared for Court

Despite his accusations, DeMayo says he is willing to resolve the issues privately.

As a dedicated fan, I’d rather hand over this compelling evidence directly to Disney and Marvel, aiming for those involved to experience what I lacked – a thorough, impartial probe away from the spotlight. My team and I have already initiated the investigation, and we’re equipped with the necessary receipts and eyewitness accounts.

However, he made it clear that he is prepared for a legal battle, should it come to that.

You could persist in hurling falsehoods and misleading statements at me, resulting in an unattractive and tiresome exchange that resembles a never-ending tennis match. Alternatively, you can strive to behave like a studio deserving of a series as great as X-Men ’97. I’m simply trying to do what’s right, and this presents Marvel with an opportunity to follow suit.

The Road Ahead

Beau DeMayo’s forceful comments contribute a new section to the escalating debate about his exit from Marvel Studios. His assertions offer a critical view of the company’s inner workings, and his lawsuit could move these disagreements into the courtroom. Regardless of whether this conflict unfolds privately or publicly, DeMayo’s allegations are expected to keep Marvel Studios under scrutiny for several months.

2025-02-13 19:57