Marvel’s highly anticipated series, “X-Men ’97” will take the world down memory lane. It is the revival of “X-Men: The Animated Series” of the 90s which is considered a landmark in superhero animation. Its rich narratives, complex characters, and exploration of social issues continue to make it a global phenomenon.
The series will bring back the character of Morph. In the original series, Morph was a fan-favorite character with the ability to transform into anyone. However, X-Men ’97 will present Morph with a non-binary identity, a move that has sparked curiosity among fans. Executive Producer Brad Winderbaum has now shed some light on Morph in the latest series.
Morph Can Shift Into Any Person, Male or Female, As Non-Binary In X-Men ’97
X-Men: The Animated Series (1992) was the home to a lot of characters from the comics like Wolverine, Cyclops, Professor X, and more. Moreover, there was one original character Morph, a shapeshifter who could change himself into any person or animal. The character will make his return in X-Men ’97. The new series is just more than the revival of the last and thus is making some changes to make it better, wherever possible. One of these includes the change in the character of Morph.
For context, X-Men ’97 will feature Morph as a Non-Binary character. In a previous interview, per EW, the show’s creator Beau DeMayo stated that they approached the character, who can shapeshift into any person, male or female, as non-binary.
Ever since this announcement, Morph’s character has been shrouded in mystery. This was recently debunked by Executive Producer Brad Winderbaum, who confirmed that this Morph is indeed the Morph from the original series and will play the same role. As the time has evolved, so has his character.
“He is the Morph from the OG series that has changed and evolved over time, and there is a connection between them,” Winderbaum says. “So much of the X-Men is about creating conversation. It is about holding a mirror up to the world, about coexistence, and about how you fight for peace in a world that fears you. So there is just inherently something that resonates about that character, but about the X-Men in general with people that feel marginalized.” – Brad Winderbaum to EW
Morph is originally inspired by Changeling, a character in the comics. In the new series, Morph will take on a more androgynous, otherworldly look that will take it more at par with Changeling than the 1990s’s Morph. The character will be voiced by J.P. Karliak.
When is X-Men ’97 Coming Out?
The first two episodes of X-Men ’97 will start streaming on Disney+ on March 20, 2024. The series consists of a total of ten episodes and the remaining eight episodes will be released weekly. The season finale will premiere on May 15. The names of the episodes, as revealed, are:
- To Me, My X-Men – March 20
- Mutant Liberation Begins – March 20
- Fire Made Flesh – March 27
- Motendo/Lifedeath, Pt. 1 – April 3
- Remember It – April 10
- Lifedeath, Pt. 2 – April 17
- Bright Eyes – April 24
- Tolerance is Extinction, Pt. 1 – May 1
- Tolerance is Extinction, Pt. 2 – May 8
- Tolerance is Extinction, Pt. 3 – May 15
The final three episodes of the first season are marketed with the same name adding to the curiosity of fans.
