Summary
- X-Men '97 continues the beloved animated series with the return of iconic characters and the introduction of new faces for more classic storytelling.
- Magneto leads the X-Men, Mr. Sinister takes on a villainous role, and Wolverine sports his classic costume in X-Men '97.
- The revival brings back fan-favorites like Rogue, Jubilee, and Beast, while introducing new characters like Sunspot and exploring complex storylines.
X-Men '97 perfectly balances a blend of beloved returning characters and exciting newfaces alike. The animated series is a revival of the beloved X-Men show that ran for five seasons between 1992 - 1997. It adapted many of the classic Chris Claremont and John Byrne stories like "The Phoenix Saga" and "Days of Future Past" for a Saturday morning cartoons audience.
As hinted by the name, X-Men '97 picks up where the original animated series left off, with the original voice cast reprising their roles and taking the opportunity to adapt many more classic X-Men storylines from decades worth of comics. The 2023 Comic-Con revealed before the show even released that many of the best-loved characters from the 90s X-Men show would return for the new series. The Disney+ X-Men revival started stream in the summer of 2023, just over 26 years since the final X-Men episode aired in March 1997.
Magneto
Following the wishes of his former friend, Charles Xavier, X-Men's Professor X.
Mr. Sinister
Mr. Sinister appeared in multiple episodes of the original X-Men animated series and takes on a substantial villainous role in X-Men '97. As detailed in The X-Men season 5, episode 13, "Descent," Sinister was originally the brilliant Victorian scientist Nathaniel Essex, an acquaintance of Charles Xavier's ancestor, James. Like Magneto, Mr. Sinister battled against the X-Men in the original cartoon, hell-bent on creating a superior world. Sinister's connection to Xavier and unique worldview make him the perfect foil for the team in X-Men '97.
Wolverine
As audiences eagerly speculate about the casting of the MCU's Wolverine, the original animated Wolverine makes a comeback in X-Men '97, sporting the iconic yellow and blue spandex costume and cowl from the comics and the original animated series. As one of Marvel's most popular characters, there's still a wealth of Wolverine stories for X-Men '97 to adapt to screen.
Cyclops
As Charles Xavier's right-hand man, Scott Summers, AKA Cyclops, is naturally a main character in X-Men '97. Indeed, with Xavier gone and Magneto set to take over in his stead, it's no surprise that Scott is a more central character than ever, as the consistent moral cornerstone of the group and their quasi-family.
Jean Grey
Jean Grey reforms X-Men's Marvel mutants' love triangle between Cyclops and Wolverine when she returns for X-Men '97. The original X-Men animated series memorably tackled Jean's biggest story from the comics, The Phoenix Saga and Dark Phoenix Saga, which formed most of X-Men season 3. However, that left plenty of scope for Jean Grey stories in X-Men '97, such as her status as an Omega-level mutant with psychic potential, a revelation that puts her at odds with her husband, Scott.
Beast
Beast was another founder member of the original X-Men and a member of the Avengers. He was a much-loved character in the animated series, which suited the iconic blue furry design of Hank McCoy's unique mutation. Both an intellectual and a fearsome fighter, Beast gave confidence to a generation of more studious children in the 1990s and can do the same again in X-Men '97.
Gambit
Gambit has been notably absent in the multiple live-action X-Men movies that followed the end of the animated series in 1997, with only a single appearance in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, played by Taylor Kitsch. A planned Channing Tatum-fronted Gambit movie was eventually abandoned, and the character didn't feature in any of Fox's later X-Men movies. He was a hugely popular character in the original animated series, so the possibility for more adventures for Gambit will be appealing to a nostalgic audience.
Rogue
Gambit's beloved Rogue also returns for X-Men '97, bringing back another memorable character from the original 90s series. Rogue's energy-sapping mutation led to an inability to form physical bonds with others which defined her character in the animated series, comics, and movies. In X-Men '97, Rogue's arc continues the often-philosophical questions posed by his powers and inability to touch anyone without risking harm to them - but she's also a welcome source of both action and often comic relief.
Jubilee
Wolverine and Rogue's paternal relationship in the X-Men movies was reminiscent of his relationship with Jubilee in the 90s X-Men show. Jubilee was also the audience identification figure, introducing them to Xavier's school through her eyes following an attack by the Sentinels. Jubilee is an established member of the team in X-Men '97, as is set to be a kind of mentor to newer additions to the team.
Storm
Storm is another integral X-Men member who returns in X-Men '97. Unlike her colleagues, whose looks are unchanged from their 90s costumes, Storm has had a subtle change, as her hair better reflects the iconic mohawk look from the comics - but her personality remains just as consistent and endearing as her hero cohorts, though the show once again offers her some of its biggest challenges to face down.
