Disney+ Will Stream X-MEN ’97 Animated Series Continuation

For many, many ’90s kids, Fox’s X-Men: The Animated Series (otherwise just known as X-Men) was their introduction to the universe of Marvel’s merry mutants. And even if they read the comics prior to the series premiere in 1992, it’s probably the ’90s-era costumes (oh, all the yellow and blue) are the ones deeply embedded in their minds. Though X-Men has changed over time, it’s still that original animated series that speaks to the most people, and that is, of course, why Disney+ has decided to bring it back in a brand new animated series follow-up called X-Men ’97,

.@MarvelStudios' X-Men '97, an animated Original Series, coming in 2023 to #DisneyPlus. #DisneyPlusDay pic.twitter.com/iIicZsE8Ox

— Disney+ (@disneyplus) November 12, 2021

As part of the Disney+ Day deluge of announcements, we got the surprise announcement of a continuation to the beloved ’90s X-Men series. Specifically 1997, which is of course the year the original series went off the air. With the hilarious “Longing Wolverine” meme at their disposal, they made sure we all knew what version of the mutant heroes we’d get. Whether it will be the same stylish but rather stilted animation in addition to the familiar character designs is still unknown. Hopefully they improve where applicable.

Marvel/Fox

Not only were the original designs of the characters the most iconic versions (even today), but the Canadian series’ cast of voice actors are the de-facto versions of those characters. That could prove tough to replicate, considering it’s been 30 years since the premiere. Norm Spencer, the actor who voiced Cyclops, sadly passed away in 2020, meaning we can’t get the original voice cast in its entirety even if we wanted.

Marvel Studios

That said, I would hope the new series retains the amazing writing and grown-up storytelling that the original had, even if the voices and animation have to change with the time. Surface level replication is fine, but it’s the heart of the characters and their struggles that made X-Men one of the best cartoons of all time.

X-Men ’97 will premiere on Disney+ some time in 2022, just in time for the 30th anniversary.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Twitter!

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