Beau DeMayo, creator and head writer of X-Men ’97, recently left the show ahead of its premiere, sparking questions as to why Marvel and Disney+ chose to remove his name from the credits of the second season. In a statement on social media, DeMayo expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work on the series and collaborate with talented individuals. However, he also hinted at one of the reasons behind the decision to strip his credits for Season 2.
DeMayo shared a screenshot of an Instagram post he made in celebration of Pride Month, showcasing X-Men fan-art with a Pride theme. This post, made on June 4, was later cited by Marvel as one of the reasons for his removal from the show. According to DeMayo, Marvel sent him a letter on June 13 informing him that his Season 2 credits were being revoked due to the content of the post. This incident, along with other issues he faced while working on X-Men ’97 and Blade, marked a troubling pattern for DeMayo.
In response to the controversy, DeMayo stated that he would have more to say on the matter soon. However, for the time being, he announced that he would be taking a break from social media to create a safer space for himself to be open about his identity as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and his passion for nerd culture. This decision reflects the challenges faced by individuals in creative industries when navigating issues of representation and creative freedom.
Following DeMayo’s claims and public statement, Marvel released an official response to address the situation. A spokesperson for the company stated that DeMayo was terminated in March 2024 after an internal investigation. The nature of the findings was deemed egregious, leading Marvel to cut ties with him immediately. As a result, DeMayo no longer has any affiliation with Marvel or its projects, including X-Men ’97.
The Impact on X-Men ’97
Despite the controversy surrounding DeMayo’s exit, X-Men ’97 has continued to garner attention and acclaim for its revisiting of the iconic era of the 1990s X-Men series. The show follows the mutant superheroes as they navigate a world that fears and hates them, facing new and unexpected challenges along the way. The revival has been praised for its critical reception and strong viewership numbers, with 4 million views collected across the first two episodes within five days of their release on Disney+.
The controversy surrounding Beau DeMayo’s departure from X-Men ’97 sheds light on the complexities of representation, creative freedom, and corporate decision-making in the entertainment industry. The situation serves as a reminder of the importance of fostering inclusive and supportive environments for creators and artists to express themselves authentically.