Charles Xavier and Magneto are known for their love-and-hate relationship. These two have one of the most complicated relationships in Marvel and X-Men history, turning from friends to enemies to friends again. That said, X-Men ‘97 voice actor Ross Marquand, who voices Professor X, can’t help but liken Charles and Magneto to Marvel’s Thor and Loki.
In an interview with ComicBook’s Phase Zero podcast, Marquand discussed Charles and Magneto's relationship in X-Men ‘97. As Charles is back and Magneto has been set free from Bastion’s clutches, thanks to Val Cooper, a reunion isn’t far from happening. That said, their dynamics may be again seen on the small screen.
“They're like brothers, they really are, and I have likening it to Thor and Loki,” he said. “It's not dissimilar at all.”
The actor believed that someone made that reference a long time ago, thinking it might be Marvel comic book writer and editor Stan Lee. However, he was also convinced that Charles’ character was based on Martin Luther King and Magneto on Malcolm X, considering many X-Men issues were written during the Civil Rights Movement.
“That was not accidental, that was very intentional,” the 42-year-old continued.
Although Charles and Magneto are very closely related, they are also different. Sure, they want to achieve the same thing so their fellow mutants can live peacefully, but they have different beliefs. If the professor believes that mutants and humans can co-exist, the master of magnetism thinks otherwise—humans will forever try to destroy the mutants.
“As this episode reveals, Magneto was right,” Marquand added, referring to X-Men ‘97 Episode 8, Tolerance Is Extinction – Part 1, where Magneto proved his assumptions about humans were right all along.
Did Magneto believe Charles Xavier was right in X-Men ‘97?
In X-Men ’97, fans see a different Magneto. He’s no longer the supervillain that has been terrorizing the X-Men. Instead, he now leads the group of mutants after Charles’ supposed death in the original X-Men: The Animated Series. He’s now an ally and a hero no one expects.
That said, Marquand revealed that Magneto was slowly convinced that Charles was right that mutants and humans could co-exist. However, that suddenly changed after the tragic event in Genosha, where numerous mutants were killed after the Wild Sentinels’ attack. And by the looks of it, nothing could change his mind anymore.
“He really did! And, I don't think he was doing it for performative effect. I think he really did believe that,” he explained. “So, it's a damn shame that now he's been proven right when he was trying so hard to change and really encapsulate Charles' vision for the future.”
X-Men ‘97 Episodes 1 to 8 are available to stream on Disney+, while new episodes are set to release every Wednesday. With only two episodes left in the first season, fans can expect to see more unexpected events as the X-Men prepare to face Bastion. And with Charles’ return, what will happen next is a must-see.
