More details have now been revealed regarding the resurrection of the X-Men animated series in the Disney+ project X-Men ‘97. As fans prepare their eardrums for that iconic theme tune once again, returning producers Eric and Julia Lewald, two of the creators behind the original show, have offered further insight into the intentions for X-Men ‘97 while speaking with YouTube user Spideyjeu09 Justin Underwood. Including that the series will continue on soon after the end of the show’s original run, and that the series is due to premiere midway through 2023.

“I believe they’re looking at 10 episodes for the first season that’s going to come out mid-next year. They’re starting it soon after ours ended. They want it to be an extension [of X-Men: The Animated Series]. Whoever it is doing this new show is going to make it their own, no matter who is involved in it. There is great love and affection and respect from an entire group of people that are doing this show, starting at the top with Beau DeMayo, who’s the showrunner.”

The Lewalds were surprised that the studio wanted to bring back the world crafted during the X-Men series, which began in 1992, rather than opt for a reboot. According to the pair, the studio was hugely respectful when suggesting the idea for X-Men ‘97, with the series set to remain faithful to what came before, with a few modernizing tweaks.

“They could have just said, ‘We’re just going to do a new show. We have friends that were part of other very successful shows, and when they get rebooted, not a phone call, not a card, not a bit of recognition, just, ‘We’re going to do a new show.’ In this case, they were all nice and respectful enough. We said, ‘It’s your show. We’re here if there’s a red flag,’ but we’re on for that, or maybe some ideas of things we’d like to see. But really, it’s their show. You can tell by the design. It’s the same but slightly modernized, slightly a bit more beautiful, five times the money spent on it. Not that we’re bitter (laughs).”

X-Men ‘97 Sees Several Original Voice Actors Return, Including Wolverine, Rogue, Gambit & More

x-men-97
Disney/Marvel Studios

Not only will X-Men ‘97 pick up following the finale of X-Men the animated series, which aired way, way back on September 20, 1997, several members of the original voice cast will also return to pick up the torch once again, portraying several iconic members of the mutant team.

Returning cast members reportedly include Cal Dodd (Wolverine), Lenore Zann (Rogue), George Buza (Beast), Adrian Hough (Mr. Grey), Christopher Britton (Mr. Sinister), Catherine Disher (Jean Grey), Chris Potter (Gambit), Alison Sealy-Smith (Storm), and Alyson Court (Jubilee). Joining the cast are Jennifer Hale, Anniwaa Buachie, Ray Chase, Matthew Waterson, JP Karliak, Holly Chou, Jeff Bennett, and AJ LoCascio in undisclosed voice roles.

Produced by Marvel Studios, X-Men ‘97 will premiere on Disney+ in 2023. If you need to get all caught up before the release of X-Men '97, the X-Men animated series is currently available to stream on Disney+.