Summary

• X-Men '97 features thrilling cameos from Captain America, Spider-Man, Hulk, Deadpool, Doctor Strange, Daredevil, Nick Fury, and Fantastic Four.
• X-Men '97 shares continuity with Marvel's 1990s animated universe, opening up the possibility for various classic Marvel heroes to make appearances.
• With an already established roster of iconic superheroes, X-Men '97 could continue to expand its universe by incorporating characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, War Machine, and more.

X-Men '97 features a thrilling appearance from Captain America, opening the door for other Marvel cameos from its shared animated universe. Marvel's 1990s animated universe depicted a swathe of classic characters sharing a timeline in various Saturday morning cartoons. X-Men '97 shares the same continuity, meaning that many other Marvel heroes are already established and could be readily included in X-Men '97's future.
X-Men '97 episode 7 "Bright Eyes" included an exhilarating cameo from Captain America, who previously appeared in X-Men: The Animated Series season 5, episode 7 "Old Soldiers," which depicted the hero teaming up with Wolverine to defeat Red Skull. Cap also had a cameo in season 4, episode 9 "One Man's Worth - Part 1," alongside his fellow Avengers. However, several other classic Marvel heroes appeared in X-Men: TAS or elsewhere in the connected animated universe, which could appear in X-Men '97.
Related When Every MCU Avenger Appeared In Marvel's Animated Universe The Marvel Animated Universe boasted numerous interconnected television shows which featured many members of the MCU’s Avengers team before the franchise. 10 Spider-Man Has Been Teased In X-Men '97 Spider-Man Had A Cameo In X-Men: TAS Season 3, Episode 7 "The Phoenix Saga, Part V: Child of Light" And The X-Men Appeared In Spider-Man: TAS Season 2, Episode 4 "The Mutant Agenda" & Episode 5 "Mutants' Revenge" Close Spider-Man’s solo cartoon boasts a legacy equally impressive as X-Men: TAS. Before this, however, Spider-Man made a very brief cameo in X-Men: TAS, rescuing by-standers from rubble during “The Phoenix Saga.” Later, during Spider-Man: TAS, Spider-Man teams up with the X-Men to battle Hobgoblin, and in season 5, episode 9 “Secret Wars - Chapter 1: Arrival,” Spider-Man enlists Storm into his hero team for the three-part adaptation.
Related 10 X-Men: The Animated Series Characters We Hope Still Appear In X-Men '97 X-Men ’97 has reintroduced a swathe of beloved and iconic mutants, but numerous other X-Men: The Animated Series characters should also appear. Spider-Man was teased in X-Men ’97 episode 1 “To Me, My X-Men,” on a Daily Bugle front page with a box reading “Is Spider-Man a mutant?” Spider-Man could therefore be introduced in X-Men ’97 easily - drawing on their history for a dynamic adventure as the X-Men navigate mutant politics. Spider-Man's former alliance with the X-Men could prove vital when Bastion and the Sentinels wage their war against the mutants. Regardless of the narrative, Spider-Man would be a dynamic addition to X-Men '97, particularly if it revives the version from Spider-Man: TAS.
9 Hulk Is Referenced In X-Men '97 The Hulk Made A Cameo Appearance In X-Men: TAS Season 4, Episode 1 "The Juggernaut Returns" Close X-Men: The Animated Series previously featured the Hulk in a cameo appearance, during which Juggernaut fought a Hulk robot in the X-Men’s Danger Room. Hulk made numerous appearances throughout Marvel’s animated universe and often teamed up with other Marvel heroes during The Incredible Hulk: TAS. The Hulk was referenced in X-Men ’97 episode 7, as Rogue encounters General Ross on a military base, and Ross assures the other soldiers that the base was built to withstand the Hulk.
While this reference teased the Hulk appearing in X-Men ’97, it also includes Hulk’s nemesis General Ross - creating an even stronger foundation for a Hulk narrative. With Ross established, Hulk could readily be portrayed as a misunderstood hero figure, mirroring the X-Men’s fragile political standing. The X-Men could even require Bruce Banner’s scientific genius and find themselves in a thrilling battle with the rage-fueled behemoth, much like Hulk’s appearance in Iron Man: TAS.
8 Deadpool Had Some Minor X-Men: TAS Cameos Deadpool Appeared In X-Men: The Animated Series Season 1, Episode 4 "Deady Reunions," Season 2, Episode 3 "Whatever It Takes," & Season 3, Episode 3 "The Phoenix Saga, Part II: The Dark Shroud" Close Deadpool would make for a fascinating X-Men ’97 cameo. Deadpool previously appeared in several X-Men: TAS cameos, establishing him in the X-Men ’97 universe. Deadpool appeared as a flashback in Sabretooth's mind in "Deadly Reunions." Later, Morph into Deadpool while confronting Wolverine in "Whatever It Takes", and Dark Xavier conjured Deadpool's image in "The Phoenix Saga, Part II: The Dark Shroud." With this precedent and Deadpool’s comic book history as a tangential X-Men member, Deadpool is primed for an X-Men ’97 cameo.
Deadpool was a highly popular character within comic book fandom for decades, but following Ryan Reynolds’ spellbinding performance in the Deadpool movies, the character’s popularity has soared. With the brilliant and hilarious cinematic nods to his rejected X-Men status, X-Men ’97 could exploit his popularity and continue examining his relationship with the team - without worrying about affecting other cinematic franchises. Moreover, Deadpool’s trademark abilities and fourth-wall-breaking style would translate well to X-Men ’97’s modern and mature tone.
7 Iron Man Previously Teamed Up With Storm In Spider-Man: TAS Iron Man Appeared In Spider-Man: TAS Season 5, Episodes 9-11 "Secret Wars" Close Iron Man was firmly established in Marvel’s animated universe, featuring Iron Man: TAS with a slew of familiar Marvel characters, and appearing in episodes of Fantastic Four and The Incredible Hulk. More pertinently, Iron Man worked with Storm during the “Secret Wars” adaptation in Spider-Man: TAS. Iron Man could reappear in X-Men ’97 with this previous alliance, though previous comic book narratives suggest he could be less cooperative.
With the burgeoning mutant-human war in X-Men ‘97, the Mutant Registration Act could reappear as a central theme. The law requires all mutants to register with the government and is often depicted as the first step in widespread mutant discrimination. With Iron Man’s support of the Superhuman Registration Act during Marvel’s Civil War, the X-Men could find themselves at odds with Iron Man if he shows similar support for government intervention. Nevertheless, Iron Man would be a captivating inclusion in X-Men ’97, proffering bombastic action and dynamic fight sequences.
6 War Machine Had Two Non-Speaking Cameos In X-Men: TAS War Machine Appeared In X-Men: TAS Season 2, Episode 7 "Time Fugitives, Part 1" & Season 3, Episode 7 "The Phoenix Saga, Part V: Child of Light" Close War Machine was another central figure in Marvel’s animated universe, appearing in every Iron Man: TAS episode, and alongside Tony Stark in Spider-Man: TAS. War Machine had two non-speaking cameos in X-Men: The Animated Series, first watching television in a dystopian future, and then rescuing civilians from falling rubble during “The Phoenix Saga.” In these appearances, War Machine never actually met the X-Men, but could do so in X-Men ’97.
War Machine would make a thrilling addition to X-Men ’97, bringing his high-tech prowess into the intricate mutant world. War Machine’s armored arsenal would make a dynamic elaboration on the X-Men’s confrontation with Sentinels, particularly if in conjunction with Iron Man. War Machine is the protagonist in the MCU’s Armor Wars, and an appearance in X-Men ’97 could tease this upcoming narrative, and test bringing the X-Men together with heroes who are integral in the MCU in advance of the MCU’s X-Men project.
5 Dr Strange Previously Sensed The Phoenix Force Dr Strange Appeared In X-Men: TAS Season 3, Episode 6 "The Phoenix Saga, Part IV: The Starjammers" & Episode 15 "The Dark Phoenix, Part II: The Inner Circle" Close Dr. Strange appeared in non-speaking cameos in X-Men: TAS, both of which depicted him sensing the almighty power of the Phoenix that Jean Grey was struggling to contain. Dr Strange had two other appearances in Marvel’s animated universe, in which he played a more significant role. Doctor Strange assists She-Hulk in saving the Hulk from a demonic presence in The Incredible Hulk, and encounters Spider-Man in a plot orchestrated by Mordo in Spider-Man: TAS.
Related 10 MCU Characters You Forgot Appeared In Incredible Hulk TAS The Incredible Hulk featured a swathe of thrilling cameos and team-ups, some of which included beloved characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Dr Strange could add a dynamic opportunity for psychedelic animation in X-Men ’97. X-Men: TAS sometimes deployed vivid, hallucinogenic animation to represent a character’s reality-warping abilities. X-Men '97 employing a new version of this with modern animation techniques could make Dr Strange's mystic powers especially entertaining. While Dr Strange’s previous affiliation with Spider-Man and the Hulk could help introduce Dr Strange, a narrative concerning the Phoenix would neatly unify his X-Men: TAS cameos.
4 Daredevil Allied With Spider-Man Daredevil Appeared In Spider-Man: TAS And Fantastic Four: TAS Close Daredevil is best remembered in Marvel’s animated Universe for his two appearances in Spider-Man: The Animated Series, which depicted both aspects of Matt Murdock’s crime-fighting life - as both a lawyer and a vigilante. Daredevil’s appearance in Fantastic Four was less consequential. But equally thrilling, facing off against Marvel’s First Family in a captivating season 2 premiere. A Daredevil cameo in X-Men '97 would inject an exhilarating dose of street-level heroics into the animated series.
As a character deeply rooted in the gritty underbelly of New York City, Daredevil's appearance in X-Men '97 could provide a fascinating contrast to the cosmic and mutant-focused narratives of the X-Men. Moreover, Daredevil's complex moral code and conflicted nature would spark compelling interactions with the X-Men, while his alter ego Matt Murdock could offer legal advice to the X-Men ’97 team, particularly after Rogue violated the X-Men’s “No Humans” rule.
3 Domino Was Imprisoned With The X-Men Domino Appeared In X-Men: TAS Season 1, Episode 1 "Night Of The Sentinels, Part One" And Episode 7 "Slave Island" Close Domino was teased in X-Men: TAS’s very first episode, appearing on a computer monitor attacking humans alongside Magneto and Sabretooth. Domino reappears several episodes later as one of the numerous mutants captured and enslaved on Genosha. Domino appears throughout this narrative and engages in the action-packed final scenes in which Cable and Gambit rescue the captive mutants who rebel against their human captors.
Domino could infuse the X-Men ‘97 with a fresh burst of energy and wit. Her updated depiction in Deadpool 2 showcased a charismatic and formidable character and quickly became one of the most iconic features. This iteration would make a captivating addition, perfectly suited to the animated world of the X-Men. With her luck-manipulating abilities and sharp combat skills, Domino would add an exciting dynamic to the team's missions. Domino would inject unpredictability and humor into their adventures - and expand the scope of mutants to include some lesser-known X-Men.
2 Nick Fury Worked With Wolverine And Captain America Nick Fury Appeared In X-Men: TAS Season 5, Episode 11 "Old Soldiers" Close Nick Fury appeared alongside Captain America in X-Men: TAS “Old Soldiers,” helping the two heroes take down Red Skull. Fury would subsequently appear in Spider-Man: TAS, in which he helps Spider-Man defeat the Chameleon and others. Fury was a more active participant in Iron Man: TAS, playing a central role in the “Armor Wars” adaptation. A Nick Fury cameo in X-Men '97 would be a nostalgic nod to the interconnected Marvel animated universe.
Building upon Captain America's cameo in X-Men ‘97 and their previous collaborations with Wolverine in X-Men: TAS, Fury's appearance would deepen the sense of cohesion within the Marvel animated landscape. As the enigmatic leader of S.H.I.E.L.D., Fury brings a wealth of experience and resources to the table, making him a valuable ally to the X-Men in their ongoing struggle for mutant rights. Like Domino, including the contemporary, updated iteration of Fury would satisfyingly modernize X-Men ’97 while retaining the 1990s setting.
1 The Fantastic Four Have Worked With Storm Iron Man Appeared In Spider-Man: TAS Season 5, Episodes 9-11 "Secret Wars" Close Like Iron Man and Captain America, the Fantastic Four were recruited by Spider-Man to serve as part of his hero team. This means that the Fantastic Four have also met and fought alongside Storm. Marvel’s First Family didn’t meet any more of the X-Men but did encounter Juggernaut, the Hulk, and Iron Man, confirming their collaborative nature throughout Marvel’s shared animated universe.
A Fantastic Four cameo in X-Men '97 would be a monumental event, uniting two iconic Marvel teams in the shared animated universe. With their diverse powers and unique personalities, the Fantastic Four would offer fresh dynamics and exhilarating team-ups with complimentary X-Men members. This crossover would celebrate the rich tapestry of the Marvel Universe, setting the stage for the Fantastic Four’s MCU debut in 2025. With comparably cosmic adventures, including the Fantastic Four in X-Men ’97 would offer endless possibilities and celebrate Marvel’s animated legacy.
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X-Men '97 is the direct continuation of the popular 1990s animated series X-Men: The Animated Series. Taking up where the third season left off, Marvel's revival brings back famous mutants such as Wolverine, Storm, Rogue, Gambit, Cyclops, Beast, Magneto, and Nightcrawler, who fight villains like Mr. Sinister, the Sentinels, and the Hellfire Club.
Cast Jennifer Hale , Chris Potter , Alison Sealy-Smith , Lenore Zann , Cal Dodd , Catherine Disher , Adrian Hough , Ray Chase , Chris Britton , George Buza Release Date March 20, 2024 Writers Beau DeMayo Directors Jake Castorena

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