The Marvel Cinematic Universe has overseen the release of several TV shows, but few have proved as successful as X-Men ’97. The show, which serves as a sequel series to the beloved X-Men: The Animated Series of the 1990s, brings several iconic members of the titular team to life on the small screen, bringing back one of the most famous iterations of the heroes outside of the comics. The release of X-Men ’97 season 1 saw the show earn near-universal acclaim, impressing critics and fans alike with its sleek animation, nostalgic vibes, and competent adaptation of iconic comic book stories and characters.
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In an interview with POCCulture, executive producers Larry Houston and Eric and Julia Lewald discussed their hopes for X-Men ’97‘s future in light of its success. While Houston admitted he’s aiming to ensure at least five seasons of the show to match the length of its predecessor, the Lewalds gave an even more ambitious answer. “Brad [Winderbaum]’s bursting up and down and you know he wants to do 10 [seasons], and we want him to do 10,” they stated. “We want eight years from now to be having more conversations like this about season 10. With 60 years of comics and all these characters…there’s really no limit.” With the show already confirmed for seasons 3 and 4 even before the release of season 2, such a prolific animated output certainly doesn’t seem out of the question.
Why X-Men ’97 Running For A Decade Or More Is Actually Pretty Plausible
As Eric Lewald’s comments suggest, the wealth of source material to draw from is an obvious factor in the show’s narrative longevity. There are numerous excellent story arcs that future seasons of the show could explore, and many exciting members of the team who could come to play important roles in the show’s future. The core cast of the show being made up of major X-Men characters also certainly helps, as there is already a near-universal appeal for its present, which goes a long way toward cementing a dedicated fan base moving forward.
Another key element of X-Men ’97 potentially boasting incredible longevity is the success of its predecessor. While X-Men: The Animated Series might not be the greatest animated Marvel TV show of all time, the show’s lasting impact on the genre, as well as on the X-Men movie franchise and the wider continuity of the comics, simply cannot be understated. Considering The Animated Series still has enough fans dedicated enough to wholeheartedly embrace X-Men ’97 from the very beginning is another encouraging sign.
However, one of the most obvious indicators of X-Men ’97’s potential for continued success lies in the passion of its executive producers. Larry Houston and the Lewalds all seemed incredibly excited by the show’s success and the prospect of keeping it running for many years to come. If those making the show are already hoping for 10 seasons, and the powers that be seem to be encouraging that ambition, then it’s certainly more than just plausible. With any luck, X-Men ’97 will continue to grow toward being the most comprehensive adaptation of the Marvel characters ever made.
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