X-Men ‘97 surprised fans with its unexpected turn of events when it released Episode 5, Remember It, last week. It didn’t only show the shocking cameo of Uatu, aka The Watcher, but it also hinted at the possible introduction of the new Marvel villain, Cassandra Nova. But just as fans thought they would finally see Charles Xavier’s evil twin sister before her debut in Deadpool & Wolverine, the animated series has been dropping clues for its real powerful villain, and it’s not Cassandra.
X-Men ‘97 Episode 5 was based on the events of E is for Extinction from the Marvel Comics. As the comic revealed that Cassandra was behind the attack on Genosha, many couldn’t help but think that she might be one of the revival’s villains, joining the already-introduced X-Cutioner, Mister Sinister, Mojo, and the Adversary.
However, the series’ head director, Jake Castorena, told Inverse that he wouldn’t get his hopes up for Cassandra being the huge villain, seemingly hinting another foe would come when he said people wouldn’t be “disappointed” with their choices. Add to that Cable saying, “he’s coming,” when he warned his mom, Madelyne Pryor, of the dangers that were about to come; he was actually referring to a guy, and it could be Bastion.
The Clues that Bastion Could Be X-Men ‘97’s Powerful Villain
Aside from Castorena and Cable’s hints that another powerful villain could make his way to X-Men ‘97, the series itself had been dropping clues for Bastion’s possible appearance all along. In Marvel Comics, the mutant-hunting robot wears a black-and-pink costume with three parallel lines in the middle. A man, whose face is hidden, is seen wearing the same clothing in a photo on Forge’s refrigerator in Episode 4, Motendo/Lifedeath – Part 1.
The picture seems to suggest that Forge and Bastion have known each other, and it may play out in the upcoming X-Men ‘97 Episode 6, Lifedeath – Part 2, which appears to be a continuation of Episode 4. Some also believe he may have appeared in Episode 5, during Magneto and Rogue’s inauguration gala.
In addition, the last three episodes of the reboot have the title Tolerance is Extinction, which could be based on Marvel Comics’ Operation: Zero Tolerance. Here, Bastion has increased his work to exterminate mutants by transforming humans into Prime Sentinels. If this happens, it will be a finale that fans need to see, as the X-Men will surely do everything to stop him.
Who is Bastion?
Bastion is one of the X-Men’s most powerful enemies. As a fusion of a human and Sentinel, Nimrod and Master Mold, he’s a great threat to Xavier’s dream of letting the humans and mutants co-exist. He has been the villain in several X-Men story arcs, like the Messiah Complex and the Second Coming.
With the help of the mystical energy of the Siege Perilous, Bastion was reborn with a natural-looking human body, though he’s a peculiar cybernetic hybrid. He has no memories of his past and is taken in by the Rose Gilberti, who gives him the human name Sebastion Gilberti. However, he eventually becomes anti-mutant and has been aligned with groups like Graydon Creed’s Friends of Humanity.
X-Men ‘97 Episodes 1 to 5 are now available to stream on Disney+, while Episode 6, Lifedeath – Part 2, is set to be released on Wednesday, April 17. Fans can expect the series’ main villain to be introduced with only five episodes left. Whether it’s Cassandra or Bastion, this revelation is definitely a must-see.
