There are a little over two weeks to go before we all finally get to watch X-Men '97, the long-awaited X-Men: The Animated Series revival which now has an official episode count.
The longest live-action MCU TV show to date is She-Hulk: Attorney at Law at 9 episodes. On the animated front, What If...?'s first two seasons share the record at 9 episodes apiece, but X-Men '97 will beat all of them with an impressive 10 instalments (according to a press release sent out by Disney).
Work has already begun on a second season, while there have been rumblings about a third batch of episodes as well. Back to the show's return this month, though, and we're hearing it will premiere with two instalments.
Assuming we then get one episode per week, the X-Men '97 finale should drop on May 15.
In related news, scooper @CanWeGetToast claims (via Toonado.com) that Your Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man (formerly known as Spider-Man: Freshman Year) will also be 10 episodes long, with each chapter running for roughly 30 minutes.
It was at the San Diego Comic-Con when we first learned of plans for the series, and aside from that title change, it's been all quiet since. Still, exciting things are clearly on the horizon for Marvel Animation.
"X-Men'97 revisits the iconic era of the 1990s as The X-Men, a band of mutants who use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them, are challenged like never before, forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future," reads a brief synopsis.
Cal Dodd (Wolverine), Alison Sealy-Smith (Storm), George Buza (Beast), Adrian Hough (Nightcrawler), Lenore Zann (Rogue), and Chris Britton (Mister Sinister) will all reprise their X-Men: The Animated Series roles in X-Men '97.
However, Catherine Disher, the original Jean Grey, is now voicing Dr. Valerie Cooper. Chris Potter, the original Gambit, is now playing Cable. Lawrence Bayne, the original Cable, is now playing X-Cutioner. Ron Rubin, the original Morph, is now playing President Robert Edward Kelly. Alyson Court, the original Jubilee, will take on the role of Abscissa.
Ray Chase is the new Cyclops, and he'll be joined by Jennifer Hale as Jean Grey, AJ LoCascio as Gambit, Holly Chou as Jubilee, JP Karliak as Morph, Isaac Robinson-Smith as Bishop, Matthew Waterson as Magneto, Ross Marquand as Professor X, Giu Augustini as Sunspot, Gil Birmingham as Forge, and Eric Bauza as the Sentinels.
X-Men '97 is set to premiere on Disney+ on March 20. Check back here soon for more on the series!