During this past weekend's San Diego Comic-Con, X-Men '97 was quietly given the spotlight during the "Designing the X-Men: A This Week in Marvel Special Event" panel.
Head Writer and executive producer Beau DeMayo, supervising producer Jake Castorena, and Larry Houston, director and producer of the original X-Men: The Animated Series, were all present and offered new insights into what fans can expect from the highly anticipated (and seemingly long-delayed) revival.
"We just put together kind of an internal thing for the [Marvel and Disney executives], actually giving them a taste of what the show is," DeMayo noted, suggesting there's still work to do before the show hits Disney+. "The size and scope of something like this and sending a love letter to what Larry and [X-Men: The Animated Series creators Eric and Julia Lewald] did is huge."
Houston was quick to add to that, making it clear X-Men '97 successfully picks up the torch from where X-Men: The Animated Series left these characters way back in 1997.
"You have an entire crew working on this show that are all dedicated fans to the mythology and the lore and legacy of the X-Men," he promises. "And everyone who's involved really believes in the story and the characters. I think you guys are going to really enjoy it when it comes on the air."
As we first told you over the weekend, a couple of clips were screened for fans who attended the panel and DeMayo elaborated on what they got to see during an interview with Marvel.com (via Toonado.com).
"We showed a clip from the first episode that shows the X-Men going off [on] a mission to confront a new Sentinel threat. And mid-mission they are unexpectedly attacked and have to use their Danger Room practice skills to save themselves."
Castorena adds, "[Beau] gave us a really good script and a really good scene and a really good epic moment that makes you go: 'That’s why Cyclops is the leader of the X-Men.'"
While we continue to wait for an update about when X-Men '97 will premiere, DeMayo went on to share some good news about a second batch of episodes. "[Production] is going really, really well. We’re just in post-production on Season 1 and [right now] writing the finale for Season 2," he confirms. "I cannot be happier."
We'd been hoping to see the show on our screens this year, but as of right now, we're expecting a 2024 premiere date. Still, all signs currently point to X-Men '97 being worth the wait...