X-Men '97 has made a lot of noise as of late. After the surprising firing of its creator, Beau DeMayo, last week, the much-awaited animated series has finally debuted with a two-episode premiere. While giving fans major nostalgia and bringing them back to the ‘90s with its classic feels, many can’t help but wonder if it can feature a Super-Man crossover. So, to weigh in on fans’ assumptions, executive producer Brad Winderbaum hints at the friendly neighborhood superhero’s possible cameo.
For a little refresher, the original X-Men: The Animated Series featured some fan-favorite Marvel superheroes cameos, like Spider-Man, Captain America, Carol Danvers, and Deadpool. It also saw crossovers with Spider-Man: The Animated Series episodes, which ended with a major cliffhanger of Madame Web taking Peter Parker to the multiverse to reunite with Mary Jane Watson. So, now that the mutants’ story continues in X-Men '97, it looks like the crossovers and cameos may happen again this time.
In an interview with Men’s Health, Winderbaum, who also heads Marvel Studios’ streaming, television, and animation, revealed their executive, Drew River, managed the series’ timeline continuity that could make this crossover happen. However, things would be more complicated with a multiverse saga and multiple timelines. But despite that, he teased that the possibility would always be there and there would be several cameos in the revival just like the original series.
X-Men '97 fits into that '90s timeline, along with the OG series, as well as those concurrent '90s shows that would sometimes cross over with the X-Men. The potential is always there. Without going into spoiler territory, the original show does have a lot of fun cameos, and '97 carries that torch.
How can X-Men ‘97 feature Spider-Man?
Disney and Marvel now hold the rights to X-Men after acquiring it from 20th Century Fox. However, the rights to Spider-Man remain with Sony after it was bought from Marvel in 1999. With Sony's consent, Marvel can only feature Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe projects. But aside from that, the stipulation in Sony’s rights to Spider-Man lets Marvel use the character in animated shows, like X-Men '97, without asking for permission.
In 2009, Sony gave Marvel back the rights to let Spider-Man appear in animated shows in a deal that would give the former more freedom over the latter’s live-action projects. However, Marvel can only feature Spider-Man in episodes that are no longer than 44 minutes in length.
This is why Marvel has successfully made Spider-Man shows like Ultimate Spider-Man and Marvel’s Spider-Man. The Wall-crawler also managed to appear in the animated series What If…? A new animated series, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, is also planned.
What is X-Men ’97 about?
X-Men '97 continues where X-Men: The Animated Series left off. With the death of Professor X, Storm and Wolverine now lead the X-Men and continue the work he has left. But with Magneto’s return, wanting to take over Xavier Institute, a new battle is about to unfold.
You can read the synopsis below:
Storm and Wolverine try to continue the X-Men. Magneto comes in and wants to step up for Charles Xavier. Sinister comes in to try to end the X-Men once and for all.
Now that X-Men ‘97 has officially begun, fans may see Marvel hero crossovers and cameos. Thanks to the rights Marvel receives from Sony, Spider-Man can make an appearance, too. X-Men '97 airs new episodes every Wednesday on Disney+, with its first two episodes now available to stream.
