Several directors ofMarvel Animation’sX-Men ‘97are throwing their hat in the ring to take another crack at the mutants in live-action. In a recent interview withScreenRant,X-Men ‘97directorsChase ConleyandEmi Yonemuraexpressed interest when asked if they had any desire to be part of the MCU’s first live-actionX-Menmovie. Conley is the director ofX-Men ‘97episodes 2, 4, and 6, while Yonemura is the director of episodes 3, 5, 7, and 9.
The directors had this to say in response to the question:
CONLEY: “If that’s a call that we get, at some point, I’m going to pick up the phone, for sure.”
YONEMURA: “I would never say no to that phone call because I love a good challenge, and I love trying new things.”
X-Men ‘97has been extraordinarily well-received by fans of the original series and newcomers alike through the halfway point in the first season. Conley and Yonemura, along with everyone else involved in Marvel Studios’ latest animated series, have showcased extreme care by adapting these mutants into animation in a way that pays homage to theircomic book originsand the original animated series. Both directors have much more experience with animation than live-action, but if the live-action X-Men look anything like they do inX-Men ‘97, MCU fans are in for a treat. If anyone has proved themselves worthy of at least being involved with the project in a consulting role, it’s Conley and Yonemura.
Are Mutants Already in the MCU?
Mutants have been a thing in the MCU sinceKamala Khan debuted as a mutant, with Marvel Studios moving away from her original backstory in Marvel Comics as an Inhuman. There have also been several other appearances by mutants, including Professor X (Patrick Stewart) inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Namor (Tenoch Huerta) inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever, and Beast (Kelsey Grammer), who showed up in thepost-credit scene forThe Marvels. More mutants are also confirmed to appear inDeadpool and Wolverine, which is set to be Marvel Studios’ first movie with previously established mutants as the titular characters.
This ‘X-Men ‘97’ Character’s Presence Hints at a Future MCU Crossover
A familiar face played by an Academy Award nominee may have witnessed the mutant community’s latest tragedy.
Anticipation for the X-Men to finally arrive in live-action is through the roof, especially after how well the MCU has handled the mutant team inX-Men ‘97. Much of the credit for this reception goes to Conley and Yonemura; bringing them into the fold on one of theMCU’s most important future projectswould be both a great step up for them and a gesture of goodwill to fans that Marvel cares about the live-action iteration of the X-Men just as much as their comic book and animated counterparts.
Deadpool & Wolverineis set to release exclusively in theaters on July 26. The first five episodes ofX-Men ‘97are available to stream onDisney+.
A band of mutants use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them; they’re challenged like never before, forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future.
