Marvel’s X-Men ‘97 Directors Tease More Cameos, Multiple Timelines in Season 2

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Earlier on X-Men ’97, it was thought that the X-Men perished while saving Earth from annihilation by an asteroid. However, this is just a widely held belief, as the season 1 finale revealed the X-Men splitting into two groups to prevent both human and mutant species from going extinct. The narrative then unfolds in a three-part arc titled “Tolerance Is Extinction”. In this storyline, Professor X (Ross Marquand) and Magneto (Matthew Waterson) clash, both physically and mentally. Simultaneously, the X-Men work tirelessly to thwart Bastion (Theo James), a Sentinel-human hybrid, from using Magneto’s Asteroid M as a weapon to bring about an extinction event on Earth.

It appears that Magneto, Professor Xavier, and the rest of the X-Men meet an apparent demise when no signs of the asteroid or the team can be found by Forge (Gil Birmingham). Six months following “E-Day,” Bishop (Isaac Robinson-Smith), a member of the X-Men, informs Forge that his comrades have been sent through time. This revelation initiates their mission to save the X-Men using newly discovered mutants who were not previously believed to be deceased.

As a passionate cinephile, I’m eagerly anticipating the next chapter of X-Men ’97, where we’ll journey through various timelines – diving into the past, present, and future. In the enigmatic land of ancient Egypt, around 3000 BCE, I’ll be reunited with young versions of Xavier, Magneto, Rogue (Lenore Zann), Nightcrawler (Adrian Hough), and Beast (George Buza). They’re about to cross paths with En Sabah Nur – the man who will one day become Apocalypse (Marquand). Fast forward to 3960, I’ll meet Cyclops (Ray Chase) and Jean Grey (Jennifer Hale), who are encountering a young Nathan, the future Cable (Chris Potter). The adventure continues!

As a passionate movie buff diving into the world of X-Men ’97, I’m excited to share that ComicBook can give us a sneak peek from the upcoming art book, X-Men ’97: The Art and Making of the Animated Series, set to release in July. This official behind-the-scenes book promises an intimate look at the creation of the first season’s 10 episodes.

Moreover, our talented episodic directors Emi/Emmett Yonemura and supervising producer-director Jake Castorena have given us a tantalizing hint about what’s to come in X-Men ’97’s second season, scheduled to hit Disney+ screens in 2026.

In the finale book of the upcoming season, Castorena praises the team, specifically Production Designer Anthony Go Wu, Art Director Roger Oda, and the entire color and paint crew. He hints at their impressive work, saying “you’re seeing little glimpses,” and expresses his excitement that Season 2 will showcase some of the most stunning visuals in episodic TV animation, thanks to the outstanding work being done by our color and paint team on environments and designs for ancient Egyptian deserts and the future of Clan Askani.

Castorena also affirmed that the settings must be separate since there will be frequent transitions between the past, present, and future. This is evident as the storyline concludes with Graydon Creed, the son of Sabretooth and Mystique, leading in political polls among the anti-mutant Friends of Humanity group, and fanatics prophesying “the Second Coming of Magneto.” By the end of the season, Wolverine (Cal Dodd) and Storm (Alison Sealy-Smith) are among those who have disappeared from view.

Castorena expressed great enthusiasm about the work our internal team is doing to set us apart. He apologizes for the wait, but encourages everyone to be patient while we prepare something special – just like baking a cake.

The initial series showcased several guest appearances from various characters in the Marvel Universe. Not only did Morph (portrayed by J.P. Karliak) transform into figures such as Colossus, Psylocke, Juggernaut, Hulk, and Reed Richards from the Fantastic Four, but a variety of characters featured throughout the series included Captain America, Iron Man, Daredevil, Doctor Strange, Black Panther, Cloak and Dagger, Omega Red, Doctor Doom, and Spider-Man from the 1994 animated series “Spider-Man.” If you enjoy cameos, Castorena stated that season 2 will not disappoint.

Discussing appearances, a scene during the credits in modern Genosha was featured – this is where Gambit (A.J. LoCascio) perished in episode 5 titled “Remember It”. The closing shot of this sequence showed Apocalypse grasping one of Gambit’s playing cards and uttering, “Such suffering, my offspring. Such… mortality.” Previously, the first mutant was featured on X-Men: The Animated Series, alongside his Four Horsemen: Famine, Pestilence, War, and Death. It’s possible that Gambit will join them again in the future.

Yonemura explained, “What we’re trying to convey is simply this: look at the hand, look at the card.

In 2026, it’s anticipated that Marvel Animation’s remake titled “X-Men ’97” will debut on Disney+. Starting July 1, you can grab a copy of “X-Men ’97: The Art and Making of the Animated Series” by Abrams.

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2025-06-27 01:11