X-Men ‘97 continues its narrative momentum from the emotional sixth episode into its seventh episode. Following the demise of Gambit, the episode primarily focuses on Rogue’s quest to seek justice for her former teammate and love interest’s demise. In the process, viewers get to witness some exciting cameos from fan-favorite MCU characters.
While the cameos do not significantly affect the overall plot of the episode they still serve as a nice nod to the larger universe the X-Men inhibit. Such cameos were also a trademark of the original 90s animated series and the earlier entries in Kevin Feige’s MCU, which later expanded into a grand shared universe. Here is what you need to know about X-Men ‘97 episode 7’s cameos and how they use a trick from Feige’s early MCU playbook.
X-Men ‘97 Episode 7 Features Cameos From Fan Favorite MCU Characters
The seventh episode of X-Men ‘97 is titled Bright Eyes and opens with the X-Men holding a funeral for Gambit after the mutant superhero sacrificed himself to save his friends. Meanwhile, Rogue goes on a search for Gyrich and Trask, who are responsible for the events that led to Gambit’s death.
In the process, Rogue meets General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross and Captain America / Steve Rogers. The surprise cameos are integrated into the episode giving the viewers a taste of the larger shared universe in which the series takes place. Moreover, both the cameo characters are fan favorites in the MCU with William Hurt and Chris Evans‘ performances in the roles being memorable.
However, for their X-Men ‘97 appearances Josh Keaton and Michael Patrick McGill voice Captain America and Thunderbolt Ross respectively, reprising their roles from Marvel animation’s What If…? The Captain America and Thunderbolt Ross appearances come after The Watcher made a cameo in the fifth episode during the Genosha massacre, further tying together X-Men ‘97 and What If…?
X-Men ‘97 Episode 7 Cameos Are a Throwback to Kevin Feige’s Original MCU Roots
The cameo appearances in X-Men ‘97 clearly hint at a greater shared universe for the series, which was also hinted at during the original 90s animated series. However, unlike the recent barrage of cameos in MCU projects such as Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, these cameos take a more subtle approach to shared universe building.
For instance, one of the earliest post-credits scenes in the MCU involves a meeting between Tony Stark and Thunderbolt Ross, which hints at the eventual Avengers team-up. Similarly, Iron Man 2 features hints at Captain America’s relationship with Howard Stark, before it was expanded upon in Captain America: The First Avenger.
These early MCU cameos showcased Kevin Feige‘s early approach to building a shared universe with organic character interactions that aren’t fueled by the narrative’s need or by the want to create easter eggs for diehard fans. Instead, these characters interact because it makes narrative sense for them to have ties to one another.
Similarly, the Captain America and Thunderbolt Ross cameos in X-Men ‘97 feel organic because of the placement of these characters within the greater story of the X-Men. As a result, the MCU must learn from the animated series and revisit its own trick to shared universe building to pull itself out of its recent slump. Meanwhile, director Jake Castorena has teased more Marvel cameos for the future of X-Men ‘97.
X-Men ‘97 is streaming on Disney+.
