X-Men ‘97 Season 2 has been in the works long before its first season’s premiere in March 2024. In fact, before Beau DeMayo’s firing, he had already written much of the second season, though he wouldn't be heavily involved in the production anymore. After Marvel Studios’ Head of Streaming, Television, and Animation Brad Winderbaum reveals that the new set of episodes is now in the animatic stage, director Jake Castorena gives another Season 2 production update and talks about how everything is going.
In an interview with ComicBook’s Phase Zero podcast, Castorena confirmed that everyone was already working hard on X-Men ‘97 Season 2. However, despite the hype surrounding the series, with many waiting for the show’s return after the epic first season finale, no one is rushing things out. He even likens the production to baking a cake, taking the time to create the perfect recipe.
“I equate it like, 'We're baking a cake right now.' Nobody wants to ruin a cake. I don't want to ruin a cake. Let us bake it,” he said. “The cake is well underway and being made, being fabricated as we speak. There is no rest for the wicked, I guess. To use that phrase. We rolled right into Season 2 while we were on Season 1!”
Castorena added they would stick with what people loved with the original X-Men: The Animated Series. Just like the revival’s first season, they would keep things in line, promising they would not stray far from the ‘90s Saturday morning cartoon, though adding some fresh but familiar take.
“It's all about, we're on a team. It's something we realize that we give ourselves false parameters to make sure we're checking our math,” he continued. “Whether it's nerd math, geographical math, whatever it is. We gave ourselves false parameters to make sure to keep us in check, to make sure we're not going too far away from the original DNA that is the OG show. But also adapting it. Fresh, but familiar.”
What to Expect from X-Men ‘97 Season 2
Like the first season, X-Men ‘97 Season 2 may adapt several storylines from the comic book. However, it’s expected to address the Season 1 finale’s major cliffhanger. The final episode, Tolerance is Extinction – Part 3, ended with most X-Men members ending up in different timelines, with Cyclops and Jean Grey in 3960 AD and Professor X, Magneto, Rogue, Beast, and Nightcrawler in 3000 BC. As for Storm, Wolverine, and Morph, their whereabouts are yet to be revealed.
Forge is seemingly planning to form a new group of mutants amid the belief that Storm and the rest of the gang who fight Bastion and Magneto have died after the explosion of Asteroid M. These all point to the return of a major X-Men villain, Apocalypse. The antagonist appears in the mid-credits scene in the present timeline and hints at resurrecting Gambit after placing one of the latter’s ruined cards in his hand.
Hence, the second season may feature three timelines: the past, present, and future. This way, they can stop Apocalypse from threatening the world by meeting different versions of himself from other times. The new season may also address the loss of Wolverine’s adamantium skeleton after his fight against Magneto. As Storm and Morph seem to be with him, the two may try to help Logan heal.
Anyhow, fans are advised to take these assumptions with a grain of salt, as nothing is confirmed yet. Details about the second season are emerging, so more about its plot may be revealed in the coming days.
All episodes of X-Men ‘97 Season 1 are available on Disney+. There are no words yet on when X-Men ‘97 Season 2 will be released.
