The potential absence of Professor X in the upcoming Disney+ series has left many fans concerned. Created by Beau DeMayo, X-Men ’97 serves as a revival of the X-Men: The Animated Series, which ran for successful five seasons from 1992 to 1996. While fans are buzzing with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming Marvel animated series, the absence of Charles Xavier has left many scratching their heads.
The iconic X-Men character is nowhere to be found in images or plot details released so far. However, the executive producer of the animated show has assured that Professor Charles Xavier’s legacy will continue to cast a long shadow over the world of the X-Men, shaping their destinies in ways yet to be revealed.
Executive Producer Addressed Professor X’s Absence in X-Men ’97
X-Men ’97 picks up where the original series left off, with the superhero team facing challenges in the absence of their leader. However, some of the fans of the series have expressed concern about how his absence would impact the narrative of the upcoming series.
The executive producer of the animated Marvel series Brad Winderbaum recently addressed these concerns, as he emphasized that while Xavier may not be physically present, his influence will be profoundly felt throughout the series.
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the showrunner shared that they utilized Marvel’s rich comic book history to explore the narrative in the absence of Professor X. “We could go in and look at the stories where Xavier was off the field and see how those characters reacted,” he shared.
He further explained that although he might not appear on-screen, Xavier’s powerful message of peaceful coexistence resonates among characters like Cyclops and Magneto. “So even though he’s not there onscreen, Xavier definitely looms large in the story,” he highlighted during the interview.
Why Professor X Would Not Return in X-Men ’97?
The emotional conclusion of X-Men: The Animated Series has left fans pondering upon the absence of Professor Charles Xavier in the upcoming animated series. The finale of the original series saw Xavier’s departure from Earth.
The season finale “Graduation Day” featured Professor Xavier facing mortal peril as he battled against the Mutant Containment Bill. However, his condition only worsens after the anti-mutant campaigner Henry Peter Gyrich turns on Xavier with an energy disruptor, pushing him into a coma.
It turned out to be a critical turning point for the series. Mutants all around the world started rallying under the leadership of Magneto. With Xavier’s life hanging in the balance, the X-Men embarked on a mission to seek aid from the alien race known as the Shi’ar, ultimately leading to Xavier’s departure from Earth under the care of Lilandra.
The departure of their leader sets the stage for a new era of challenges for the superhero team, particularly in the absence of their leader. While the return of the mutant leader remains uncertain in the upcoming series, the trailer shares glimpses of upcoming developments, involving characters like Cyclops and Magneto. However, the exact details remain unknown.
X-Men ’97 is set to premiere on Disney+ on March 20, 2024.
