X-Men ’97 is not coming out in 2023

X-Men ’97 news: Fans will unfortunately have to wait till 2024 for the nostalgic reboot.

X-Men ’97, the much-anticipated sequel to the 1990s cult classic X-Men: The Animated Series, has been building hype ever since Disney+ made the official announcement back in November 2021. This new and really exciting series promises to bring back a wave of nostalgia, with many of the original voice cast reprising their iconic roles, as well as keeping the show’s original animation style.

However, we will have to keep the excitement alive as we wait just a little bit longer for this reboot to bless our screens. Originally slated for a fall 2023 release, the series is now expected to premiere in January 2024, according to leaked reports.

Do we know why X-Men ’97 is delayed?

Although fans have been waiting since November 2021 with a 2023 release in mind, it seems the universe had other plans. Marvel has recently pushed back several projects, which has also affected the release date for X-Men ’97. While the official reason for the delay remains undisclosed, industry insiders believe that it may be due to the jam-packed Marvel calendar, or possible production difficulties that could also have stemmed from the ongoing writers’ strike.

What’s the cast and plot for X-Men ’97?

Rejoice! Most of the original main voice cast will return, including Cal Dodd as Wolverine, Catherine Disher as Jean Grey, and Cedric Smith as Professor X. The series will also include characters voiced by Jennifer Hale and Ray Chase as well as other new voice actors joining the cast.

The plot is set to pick up where the original series left off, with Professor X in space searching for a cure for his terminal illness, and Magneto, in a surprising turn, steps up to help lead the X-Men against Mr. Sinister — the show’s newest main antagonist.

Is there a trailer for X-Men ’97?

There is no trailer yet for X-Men ’97, but visuals and character posters have been released:

Could X-Men ’97 be part of the MCU?

One of the bigger questions is whether the series will be connected to the MCU or not. While previous animated Marvel shows have been very much independent of the MCU — and with Spider-Man: Freshman Year also launching around the same time on Disney+ — there could be potential for crossover episodes.

It also makes us wonder if the Fox’s X-Men movies, starring Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, will be remade or tied back into the MCU somehow. Though those movies have their flaws, they were still an integral part of any Marvel fan’s entertainment and it would be amazing to see them either rebooted or somehow connected to it all.

Lastly, for those feeling a little sad because of the delay, remember that all five seasons of X-Men: The Animated Series are currently streaming on Disney+. As the saying goes, “Good things come to those who wait,” and given all the information already available about X-Men ’97, it’s likely that this wait will be worth it in the end. Also, for what it’s worth, Rogue voice actress Lenore Zann has confirmed that the first season will not be the last, as a second season is already in production.

In the end, while the delay does make us all a little sad, it also gives the crew more time to fine-tune the series and maybe even align it with other Marvel projects. For a franchise that has captured imaginations for decades, a few extra months seem like a small price to pay for quality and nostalgia.