Summary
While Marvel’sX-Men ‘97delighted fans with a plethora of beloved character cameos from the franchise, one particular appearance was exceptionally subtle, nearly slipping past the notice of even the most attentive viewers.
As the first season of Marvel’s beloved animated series,X-Men ‘97, concludes, fans are eagerly awaiting what the next installment will bring. Marvel Animation chief has recently provided insights into one of the easily overlookedcameos featured in the series, hinting at the possibility of deeper implications to come.
During a recent exclusive interview withComicBook’s Phase Zero podcast, Brad Winderbaum, the head of Marvel Animation, shed light on the plethora of cameos spanning the expansive Marvel franchise in the first season ofX-Men ‘97.Among these numerous appearances, Winderbaum drew attention to a particularly subtle moment featuring The Watcher. Despite its briefness, this cameo might have eluded the notice of many fans.
Throughout the season,X-Men ‘97boasted a plethora of appearances, ranging from brief cameos to more substantial roles. These included characters from the depths of Marvel Comics to beloved heroes from the silver screen. Yet, among this diverse array,The Watcher’s cameo stands outas unexpected and perhaps easily overlooked. However, The Watcher’s presence carries more weight than a mere cameo. His inclusion in pivotal moments of great magnitude adds depth to his appearance. As a self-professed fan, Winderbaum drew inspiration from the animatedWhat If… ?series for this particular cameo. Reflecting on The Watcher’s significance, Winderbaum remarked, “The Watcher moments that really stand out for me are the ones where he just is there because you know the s***’s about to hit the fan. That was the intention there. You can feel the temperature of that episode. It’s crazy how visceral it is. And when The Watcher appears in the sky, for those people that notice it, it is supposed to feel like a bit of a harbinger of doom I would say.”
However, this cameo might hold even greater significance than initially perceived. Winderbaum revealed thatWhat If…?season threeis currently in production and slated for release soon. Regarding The Watcher’s role, he assured fans that there’s more in store for the character in the upcoming season. According to Winderbaum, viewers can anticipate an emotional journey with The Watcher, as he delves deeper into his complex nature. “What’s great about The Watcher is that he presents himself as uncaring, and cold, and just an observer, but he cares more than everybody [and] anybody. That is on full display in that third season,” Winderbaum elaborated. With bothX-Men ‘97andWhat If…?gearing up for new seasons, speculation about a potential connection between the two series has arisen. While the crossover holds undeniable potential, the extent of its connection remains uncertain. However, givenWhat If…?’s penchant for exploring alternative scenarios within the Marvel universe, there’s a possibility that X-Men might make an appearance in the upcoming season.
The first season ofX-Men ‘97is now available to stream exclusively on Disney Plus.
X-Men ‘97
Cast
The animated X-Men team returns in the Disney Plus reboot, X-Men ‘97. With Professor X gone, Cyclops, Wolverine, Jean Grey, and the rest of the mutants find themselves under the leadership of Magneto and facing a new threat. X-Men ‘97 is the first project under the newly created Marvel Animation banner.
