We are only a few days away from the March 20 release of X-Men ’97, the Disney+ update of the classic Marvel animated series from the 1990’s picking up where those earlier storylines left off. To revisit the series, several classic voice actors are back!
“I think people find these characters so compelling because anyone can see themselves in any of the X-Men,” supervising producer and head director of the series Jake Castorena said in a Disney+ press release. “Obviously, the mutant abilities and powersets are icing on the cake, but the storytelling, the drama, the imperfections—the X-Men are us! And having relatable characters is something the mythos as a whole does so well, and I feel we continue to bring that element to the table with our show!”
So who are the characters we’ll see in X-Men ’97? Here are details on several of them, courtesy of Marvel and Disney+:
CYCLOPS (Voice of Ray Chase)
Cyclops has the mutant ability to emit powerful red beams of energy from his eyes. The consistent and determined leader of the X-Men is committed to protecting both his family and mutants across the world. The creative team saw the character as someone who carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. Often underestimated, it’s about time Cyclops took the spotlight as the new leader of the X-Men.
JEAN GREY (voice of Jennifer Hale)
Jean Grey is a powerful telepath and telekinetic mutant who has bravely faced cosmic entities and world-shattering events. Endlessly empathetic, she often serves as the heart of the X-Men in their journey to bring Xavier’s dream of mutant-human coexistence to life. Co-executive producer Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt says she’s a big fan of Jean and her relationship with Scott aka Cyclops. “A hallmark of that couple, their relationship, has always been the pull between two lives, two families,” she says. “The found family with the X-Men and fighting for mutants, humanity, a better world—and then there’s a family that is personal to the two of them. As our show opens, we throw Scott and Jean into that tug-of-war and the high-stakes soap-opera drama.”
STORM (OG voice of Alison Sealy-Smith)
Storm is an Egyptian weather goddess with the mutant ability to control the weather at will. Castorena calls the character “Queen, Goddess of the elements and omega level abilities, yet usually the most level-headed and reserved one on the team. Definitely someone you’re glad to have on the field and in your corner!”
WOLVERINE (OG voice of Cal Dodd)
Wolverine is a gruff mutant who’s seen more wars than he can count. He sports healing factor powers and three retractable adamantium claws on each hand. Filmmakers agree that Wolverine is a reak pro—except maybe when it comes to getting over Jean. Episodes will explore his feelings for Jean and how that reflects on his self worth.
ROGUE (OG voice of Lenore Zann)
Rogue is a Southern belle. Along with super strength and flight, she has the mutant ability to absorb people’s powers and memories with a single touch. “In many ways Rogue is the heart of this season,” says Vasquez-Eberhardt. “The audience, new and old fans alike, will be introduced to a incredibly powerful and ultimately incredibly vulnerable, Southern Belle longing for a romantic connection that is always just beyond her grasp. She’s torn between loves and loyalties, testing her strength more than any super villain ever could.”
BEAST (OG voice of George Buza)
The Beast is a hyper-intelligent scientist whose mutant ability manifests as super-strength and a blue, furry exterior. Says Castorena, “With multiple PhDs and charismatic wit with quotes for any occasion, Beast will get it done! Let’s see how his genius adapts to an ever-changing world.”
GAMBIT (voice of AJ LoCascio)
Gambit is a suave Cajun with a tendency to try charm over violence when possible. He has the mutant ability to kinetically charge objects and an affinity for playing cards. Says Vasquez-Eberhardt, “There is such joy in everything Gambit does, whether it’s fighting with flair, bo staff in hand or, flirting with his lady love—and we have lots of fun with his roguish behavior. But there is a lurking, growing danger that threatens to tear down his kinetically charged house of cards.”
JUBILEE (voice of Holly Chau)
A mutant capable of generating colorful energy plasmoids, Jubilee is the youngest member of the X-Men. “Jubilee is THE ’90s kid so you know she had to return to the show!” says Vasquez-Eberhardt. “This season she’s on the edge of adulthood, one foot firmly in the arcade—but she also wants to be taken seriously. This show takes her on a crazy ride of self-discovery, leveling up in awesome, new ways!”
MORPH (voice of JP Karliak)
Morph is a shapeshifter mutant who tends to crack jokes even in the darkest of circumstances for the X-Men. Says Castorena, “Like their good pal Wolverine, Morph is no stranger to intense missions in the field. He’s made great strides to move on and heal from prior abduction and mind control via Mister Sinister.”
BISHOP (voice of Isaac Robinson-Smith)
Bishop is a seasoned time-traveling mutant with energy absorption powers who heralds from the near future. Fans beware: Bishop’s journey may not be what it seems upon first viewing.
MAGNETO (voice of Matthew Waterston)
The self-proclaimed master of magnetism, Magneto (voice of Matthew Waterson) is a survivor of genocide and has spent his mutant life trying to protect the less fortunate. Says Vasquez-Eberhardt, “Magnus is a legend. The enormity of the character, all the history he brings as the X-Men’s greatest enemy and sometimes uneasy ally is in this show.”
NIGHTCRAWLER (OG voice of Adrian Hough)
Nightcrawler, a kind-hearted, blue-skinned, teleporting mutant with pointed ears, fangs and a tail, sees the world through different eyes. “Our charming swashbuckler ‘BAMFS’ his way back onto the screen and into our hearts once again,” says Castorena. “How has Kurt been since that Alps trip in ’92?”
SUNSPOT/ROBERTO (voice of Gui Agustini)
Roberto is a trust-fund Casanova who’s always chosen the path of least resistance in life—that is until some familiar faces from the X-Men’s past come knocking at his door.
X-Men ’97 premieres March 20 on Disney+. Stay tuned to KSiteTV for more coverage of the show!
