Since X-Men '97 wrapped up its first season, fans have looked forward to seeing what is in store for their favorite mutants in the second season. The Season 1 finale ended with a major cliffhanger, with the X-Men members ending up in different timelines and the arrival of Apocalypse. As many want to know what will happen next, Jennifer Hale, who voices Jean Grey, says, “Buckle up” for X-Men '97 Season 2.
In an interview with ComicBook, Hale was asked for any updates for X-Men '97 Season 2 and the future of Jean Grey. Although the Canadian-American voice actress didn’t want to give anything away, she seemed to tease that an exciting moment would take place.
“All I will say is, ‘Buckle up,’” she said. “I can tease nothing… nothing.”
So far, details about the animated series’ second season remain scarce, with only major production updates and teasers coming from people behind the scenes. That said, the 52-year-old star admitted that she was practicing not to say anything, especially if the producers and creators of the project she was working on hadn’t said anything yet.
“I’m making a practice not to say a word about anything,” Hale explained. “I don’t even mention I’m in something until I see the producers and the creators say something online.”
If there’s one thing Hale didn’t want to do, it was to screw anything by saying something she shouldn’t. “I just don’t do it,” she continued. “I don’t risk it.” However, she seemingly couldn’t help herself and teased, “Keep reading,” probably so that fans would know what would happen next.
Jennifer Hale Addresses the Jean Grey/Madelyne Pryor Twist in X-Men '97 Season 1
X-Men '97 Season 1 featured a lot of exciting twists, but one of the most surprising was the big reveal about Jean Grey had been cloned by Minister Sinister. Just when everyone thought that the X-Men were with Jean Grey, it was later revealed that she had been replaced by Madelyne Pryor, who later became the Goblin Queen. As this turn of events caught many off guard, Hale addressed this incredible twist, revealing she didn’t know about it when she started voicing the character.
“It wasn’t presented to me much ahead of time,” she told ComicBook’s Phase Zero podcast. “They keep these scripts locked down; I think justifiably so.”
So, when she finally received the scripts where the revelation was made, she was ultimately surprised and found it “crazy.” She even wanted to give a shout-out to their voice director, Meredith Layne, for being the “unseen hero,” giving her full credit for helping her play both characters at the same time.
She's the reason that I get to play full-out without worrying about how it's all coming together because she has the reference of the original like, 'Where is it Jean? And where is it Madelyne? And where is it Goblin Queen?' And I can jump into any scene fully and just throw down knowing that she's there with the guard rails going 'That one leaked over into the other lane… She allows us to play fully and keeps us just going… I think that's an amazing job and I appreciate her so much.
From there, Hale discussed how she gave Jean Grey and Madelyne Pryor their distinctive voices. She used a key line or a key physicality associated with the character to do it. For Jean, it was Scott, living in for the love of her life, while Madelyne had to prove herself as Jean. Alternatively, when she voiced Goblin Queen, there was no specific line; it was just like threatening everyone.
“[Madelyne] has a slightly different energetic compass point for her,” she revealed. “Her key line is not Scott; it’s other things.”
Hale has been voicing Jean Grey in various Marvel media, including Wolverine and the X-Men and Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds. That said, it’s no surprise that she has effortlessly played the role, and fans may hear more from her in the upcoming X-Men '97 Season 2.
All episodes of X-Men '97 Season 1 are available on Disney+, while Season 2 has no official release date yet.
