Marvel Studios has experienced a lot of success in 2024, bouncing back after 2023, which was a pretty lacklustre year for all involved. From the release of TV-MA series Echo to the triumphant return to the movies with Deadpool and Wolverine, as well as this season's release of Agatha All Along, it's been the comeback for the ages for Marvel. But perhaps their greatest success has been that of X-Men '97.
The first series under the Marvel Animation banner (and second animated series in general), the Disney Plus show is a sequel to the classic X-Men: The Animated Series, with some of the original cast members returning. Like its predecessor, it was praised for its mature approach to the storytelling and the thoughtful way that it explored a number of narratives throughout its 10-episode first season.
X-Men '97 took a serious approach to the stories it told, and it sounds like its second season will do the same... perhaps even more so.
X-Men '97 star reveals second season will be "darker"
Ross Marquand recently appeared at Edmonton Expo and during that appearance, he revealed that X-Men '97 season 2 would be "darker" than season 1. The actor, who voices Professor Charles Xavier in the revival series didn't say how that was even possible, but the prospect of it is incredibly interesting given that the first season was pretty dark already.
Season 1 featured a number of harrowing storylines, including the Mutants massacre on Genosha, which involved the death of X-Men member Gambit, as well as the potential mutant cure storyline - which was used as a means of further oppressing mutantkind.
As for where the story could go next, there are a couple of story elements that were left dangling by the season 1 finale - all of which could take X-Men '97 into that darker territory Marquand speaks of.
The closing moments of that season finale saw the X-Men confronted by Apocalypse in his early days after they were transported back in time. En-Sabah-Nur does not know of the horror he will become, and somehow, the X-Men may have to work with him to get back to their own time. But what could that mean for the timeline and could it lead to an Apocalypse-heavy season? If so, that could very well make for a harrowing season for the X-Men.
Speaking of Apocalypse, the mid-credits scene of the finale showcased the modern version of the character in Genosha, taking in the aftermath of the Mutant massacre that took place there. He then picks up one of Gambit's signature playing cards in a moment that very much suggests the beloved X-Men character will be resurrected to serve as one of Apocalypse's Four Horsemen.
Needless to say, Gambit's death in the first season of X-Men '97 was one of the darkest moments in the show. He and Rogue were finally open and honest about how they felt about each other, and then all of it was taken away. If he were to return as a villain - and as one of Apocalypse's Horsemen of all things - it would no doubt pave the way for that darker season that Marquand was alluding to.