Over the Course of the Last Ten Weeks: X-Men ‘97 Becomes a Marvelous Success

Over the Course of the Last Ten Weeks: X-Men ‘97 Becomes a Marvelous Success (Pics: Discussingfilm.net)

WATCHFILM.BIZ.ID - In an age where superhero adaptations flood the media landscape, the Disney+ original series X-Men '97 has distinguished itself as a phenomenal triumph. Over the past ten weeks, this revival of the beloved 1990s animated series has captivated audiences with its dynamic storytelling and faithful yet fresh take on iconic characters such as Magneto, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Gambit, and Rogue. 

Following up on X-Men: The Animated Series which originally aired from 1992 to 1997 — was no small feat, yet X-Men '97 has managed to exceed all expectations, thanks in large part to the skilled creative team led by creator/head writer Beau DeMayo and supervising director Jake Castorena.

A New Era for the X-Men

The first season of X-Men '97 focuses on the titular team of mutants as they strive to rebuild after the departure of their former leader, Professor Charles Xavier (Ross Marquand). The entrance of Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto (Matthew Waterson) as the new leader thrusts the team into immediate turmoil. 

The drama intensifies with the revelation that Jean Grey (Jennifer Hale) has been replaced by an evil clone, Madelyne Pryor, created by the villainous Mister Sinister (Christopher Britton). 

This shocking twist complicates Jean's relationship with Cyclops/Scott Summers (Ray Chase), particularly since Scott and Madelyne had recently celebrated the birth of their son, Nathan Summers.

The chaos escalates further when Nathan Summers, now the time-traveling warrior Cable (Chris Potter), arrives to warn the X-Men of an impending catastrophe. However, the warning comes too late, leading to an epic attack on Genosha, Magneto’s mutant nation. 

This conflict results in the tragic death of fan-favorite hero Remy LeBeau/Gambit (A.J. LoCascio) and leaves the X-Men divided. Cyclops leads a faction dedicated to upholding the X-Men’s traditional values, including Jean, Wolverine (Cal Dodd), Beast (George Buza), 

Nightcrawler (Adrian Hough), Storm (Alison Sealy-Smith), Jubilee (Holly Chou), and Forge (Gil Birmingham). Meanwhile, Magneto reverts to his destructive ways, leading a splinter group alongside Rogue (Lenore Zann) and Sunspot (Gui Agustini).

Epic Showdowns and Unforeseen Twists

The season culminates in a spectacular showdown with Professor X re-entering the fray to confront Magneto. The X-Men face formidable villains Bastion (Theo James) and Mister Sinister, leading to an ultimate sacrifice that seemingly results in the demise of the heroes. However, the season concludes with a jaw-dropping twist: the team is not dead but lost in time. 

Jean and Cyclops find themselves in 3960 A.D., a dystopian future where they encounter Mother Askani and a younger Nathan Summers. Simultaneously, Xavier, Magneto, Rogue, Nightcrawler, and Beast are transported to ancient Egypt, where they meet a young En Sabah Nur, the future Apocalypse.

Behind the Scenes: Crafting a Revival

To explore the intricacies behind this treasured animated revival, DiscussingFilm.com conducted an exclusive interview with supervising director Jake Castorena. Castorena, a veteran in the superhero animation genre, shared insights into the creative challenges and inspirations behind X-Men '97.

Q: How did you work to continue the story of X-Men: The Animated Series while ensuring that X-Men '97 could serve as a fresh starting point for new audiences?

Jake Castorena: The mandate and mission statement were clear from day one with Beau DeMayo’s series bible. Our show is a revival, a spiritual successor, not a reboot. Certain elements ingrained in the original show’s DNA had to remain intact to maintain its excellence. We’re all fans, and our goal was to create a show that we ourselves wanted to see. By staying true to the original while also infusing our personal instincts and creativity, we aimed to satisfy both long-time fans and new viewers.

Pushing Boundaries with Creative Freedom

Unlike the original series, which faced significant network oversight, *X-Men '97* enjoyed creative liberties that allowed for more mature themes, including swearing and graphic violence. This freedom profoundly influenced the storytelling approach.

Q: How did these elements affect your team’s approach to telling this story?

Jake Castorena: The ability to showcase violence and not shy away from intense moments allowed us to deepen the narrative. We created false parameters, imagining how the original series might have tackled these elements, to maintain consistency with the show's style while leveraging modern animation techniques. This balance of old and new helped us stay true to the original’s spirit while pushing creative boundaries.

Visual Evolution

The visual style of X-Men '97 has garnered significant praise for modernizing the classic designs of the 1990s cartoon. Castorena discussed the careful approach to updating the art style for a new generation.

Q: How did you modernize the classic designs and art style for a new generation?

Jake Castorena: Our lead character designer, Amelia Vidal, and her team did an incredible job adapting Jim Lee’s iconic designs. We aimed for a "fresh but familiar" look, keeping the essence of the 90s style while making it producible and manageable for today’s animation standards. Simplifying elements like hair design helped streamline the animation process without compromising the nostalgic feel.

Looking Forward

As X-Men '97 progresses, the show draws inspiration from nearly 30 years of X-Men stories, blending classic and contemporary narratives.

Q: Are you interested in incorporating X-Men stories from the 2000s or recent years into X-Men '97, or do you plan to stay focused on '90s comics?

Jake Castorena: We’ve already touched on stories outside the '90s, such as “E is for Extinction.” The X-Men’s core themes of prejudice and unity remain timeless, allowing us to blend different eras while staying true to the show's '90s roots. We’re excited to continue this approach in season two, keeping the essence of the original series alive while exploring new storylines.

Conclusion

With its captivating storytelling, stunning visuals, and faithful homage to the original series, X-Men '97 has firmly established itself as a standout Marvel adaptation. The first season’s dramatic twists and epic battles have left fans eagerly anticipating what’s next. As the series moves forward, it promises to honor its legacy while forging new paths in the ever-evolving world of X-Men.

All episodes of X-Men '97 are now streaming on Disney+! Created by Beau DeMayo and based on the original X-Men by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, this series is a testament to the enduring legacy and evolving creativity of the Marvel universe.

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