X-Men ‘97 featured several cameos of Marvel characters, but the most distinctive one was Spider-Man. The Friendly Neighborhood superhero first appeared in Episode 8, Tolerance is Extinction – Part 1, and after showrunner Beau DeMayo confirmed that his version was from the original Spider-Man: The Animated Series, there have been calls for a reboot. The clamor strengthens after the X-Men ‘97 Season 1 finale made a big reveal, showing Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson together and resolving a major cliffhanger after 26 years. Now, with the fans’ cry, Marvel Studios Head of TV, Streaming, and Animation Brad Winderbaum hints at the “potential” Spider-Man: The Animated Series revival after the success of X-Men ‘97.
In an interview with ScreenRant, Winderbaum addressed the hype surrounding the Spider-Man: The Animated Series reboot. The ‘90s show ended its five-season run with a major cliffhanger, with Madame Web helping Spider-Man to find the real Mary Jane in the multiverse. And as the X-Men ‘97 Season 1 finale revealed that Peter had found MJ, which DeMayo also confirmed in a tweet, it reignited fans' hopes to see the continuation of their story in the possible Spider-Man ‘98.
“It is amazing to see them back on screen together,” the Marvel boss said. “I wish we could tell that whole adventure with Madame Web and figure out how exactly he did it! Maybe one day, we, as fanboys, could certainly dream.”
Winderbaum seemed to have a plot line that might play out in the potential Spider-Man ‘98, with Spider-Man finally finding MJ in an adventure with Madame Web. But though he hinted at the possibility of it, he didn’t confirm anything. Instead, he said the focus would be on X-Men ‘97.
“There is always potential, right? I don't want to close the door on anything,” he continued. “But I think that for now, for the foreseeable future, X-Men ‘97 will own the ‘90s, and how much we bring in guest stars or tell stories from other Marvel characters from that era is TBD, but it will be seen through that lens of the X-Men.”
#xmen97 yes, Peter Parker found MJ
— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) May 15, 2024
Will there be Spider-Man: The Animated Series revival?
Winderbaum neither denies nor confirms if there will be a future Spider-Man: The Animated Series revival. But as he says, he’s not closing his door on anything, so there’s always a possibility for it. The series writer, John Semper Jr., has already expressed his interest in rebooting the series. However, based on his answer after a fan asked him about his thoughts on Spider-Man ‘98, he had yet to receive a call about it.
“All they have to do is call me,” he said in a tweet. “I'm here, and I'd certainly consider doing it.”
Hey everyone! I just wanted to say thanks for all of the positivity and support surrounding the idea of a “Spider-Man 98” revival! I’d obviously love to participate in such an awesome venture! Unfortunately I haven’t been contacted by anyone regarding this possibility and I also…
— Christopher Daniel Barnes (@cdb_stories) May 2, 2024
Spider-Man’s voice actor, Christopher Daniel Barnes, also addressed the calls for the animated series revival. Like Semper, he also showed his interest in continuing the Web Crawler’s story and reprising his role. However, he, too, had yet to be contacted by anyone to do it.
“I haven’t been contacted by anyone regarding this possibility, and I also currently have no connection to the X-Men ‘97 show,” he tweeted.
All they have to do is call me. I'm here, and I'd certainly consider doing it.
— John Semper Jr. (@johnsemper) February 28, 2024
With the hype, Winderbaum’s hint, and Semper and Barnes’ openness to returning to the world of the Spider-Man animated series, a revival may not be far from happening. However, it may take time before this comes to fruition, as Marvel Studios Animation is now putting its focus on X-Men ‘97.
All episodes of X-Men ‘97 are available on Disney+, while Season 2 is now in the animatic stage and Season 3 is in development.
