X-Men '97: Same Theme Song, Same Voices, All-New Adventures Await!

X-Men: The Enlivened Series Lives On - Another Section Starts (Yet Feels Outdated)

Wonder Studios isn't known for avoiding fan-most loved characters, yet when it came to restoring X-Men: The Enlivened Series, there were two non-negotiables: the notorious signature melody and the first voice cast.

Thankfully, according to Brad Winderbaum, Head of TV, Streaming, and Animation at Marvel Studios, reuniting the team proved surprisingly easy. "They were all thrilled to come back," he shared, "and trust me, we were just as thrilled to have them!"

The result? X-Men '97, an exclusive Disney+ series premiering on March 20th, 2024. In any case, here's the wind: it's anything but a reboot or a redo. It's a continuation, seamlessly picking up right where the classic 90s cartoon left off.

The story kicks off in the wake of Professor X's passing. "His absence leaves a huge void," says Winderbaum, "but his message of peaceful coexistence continues to resonate with the team."

The early episodes delve into how the X-Men grapple with Xavier's legacy. "Characters like Cyclops and Magneto grapple with different ways to honor his dream," explains Winderbaum. "How about we simply say, there's no deficiency of perspectives on the most proficient method to lead forward."

So why 2024? Actually, it fundamentally came down to timing. With the success of What If? Marvel saw a renewed interest in animation, and Winderbaum jumped at the chance to bring the beloved X-Men back to audiences.

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"Here's the thing," Winderbaum emphasizes, "the original X-Men: The Animated Series had a far-reaching influence on countless creators, myself included. It holds the same nostalgic weight as Star Wars for a specific generation."

There was never a thought of a modern update, Winderbaum clarifies. "We weren't interested in a 2024-set show with a whole new look and feel. It's the familiar 90s aesthetic that makes it fresh and exciting, even though it's 'old school.'"

He continues, "Think about it: superhero stories without the internet or cellphones? It's a whole different rulebook for these characters!"

Staying true to that rulebook was paramount. Winderbaum details the team's efforts to capture the essence of the original series. "We even brought back original series co-creator Eric Lewald and director Larry Houston to guide us on how the show was made and establish our creative parameters."

Interestingly, advancements in animation presented a unique challenge. As Winderbaum explains, "We had to set limitations for ourselves, mirroring the constraints Larry and Eric faced back then." This meant a focus on "flat space storytelling with big, bold colors," staying true to the classic two-dimensional animation style.

"Of course," Winderbaum admits, "we did bend the rules occasionally, but only when the story demanded it." These rule breaks often fulfilled ambitions the original creators couldn't realize due to technical limitations.

He cites the extended opening credit sequence as an example. "There's a shot of Rogue flipping a bad guy – something that was much shorter in the original. We revisited Larry's storyboards from the 90s and expanded on it."

Winderbaum emphasizes the importance of building upon the work of legendary creators. "The X-Men have a rich history across comics and animation thanks to giants like Chris Claremont, John Byrne, Jim Lee, and of course, Eric Lewald and Larry Houston. Now, it's our turn to carry the torch with a new team," he states.

There's also a fascinating parallel between the characters and the show's creators, Winderbaum points out. "The narrative itself mirrors the creation of the show. It's about honoring a legacy, an idea deeply woven into the DNA of this project."

So, what's Winderbaum most excited for fans to experience?

"I want longtime fans to rediscover the X-Men's incredible depth and emotional range," he says. "And for new audiences, I hope they'll be surprised by the impact these timeless stories can have on screen."

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