Recently, X-Men ’97 actor Ross Marquand provided intriguing insights into the show’s second season, especially concerning the fate of the beloved mutant team. As the voice behind several characters—including Professor X/Charles Xavier and the formidable supervillain Apocalypse—Marquand’s remarks are particularly noteworthy given the dramatic finale of the first season, which left the X-Men scattered across various timelines.
The finale concluded with Magneto, Professor X, Rogue, Nightcrawler, and Beast being transported back to 3,000 B.C., while Jean Grey and Cyclops found themselves in the future, leaving Cable stranded in the present day. This time-travel twist introduces a complex new storyline, with the heroic team on a mission to rescue a younger version of Apocalypse.
In this new series, while Marquand takes on the role of Apocalypse, the character’s past self, En Sabah Nur, is voiced by Adetokumboh M’Cormack. The narrative’s ties to the original X-Men: The Animated Series, in which Apocalypse was a central villain, promises to deepen the conflict and character development as the series progresses.
What Ross Marquand’s Comments About X-Men ’97 Reveal
During a panel at AwesomeCon, which was moderated by Joe Deckelmeier from Screen Rant, Marquand shared an exciting update regarding the anticipated sophomore season of X-Men ’97:
Screen Rant: “I know that you guys are in the process of working on the next X-Men ’97 seasons. I’m not going to ask you this for spoilers, but for hardcore X-Men comic fans, what runs should they be reading?”
Ross Marquand: “I’m not allowed to say, but just focus on Apocalypse.”
Screen Rant: “Age of Apocalypse?”
Ross Marquand: “I don’t know, maybe. You said that! I didn’t say that. But I can’t wait; it’s gonna be amazing. We’re just waiting now for the animators to do their thing. We wrapped production on that a while back, but it’s incredible. It’s so well done. I just can’t wait for everyone to see it. It’ll probably be next year, full honesty. That’s what I’m hearing from the higher ups, but we’ll see.”
It’s not just Marquand who is teasing the upcoming season. Lenore Zahn, who voices Rogue, indicated that she has completed her recording sessions for the second season and is prepared to begin work on the third. Additionally, Isaac Robinson-Smith hinted that his character, Bishop, might see an expanded role. Adding to the excitement, Marvel Studios Head of Streaming, Brad Winderbaum, confirmed that “Season 2 of X-Men ‘97 is going to be in ‘26,”aligning with Marquand’s prediction that fans could expect new episodes next year.
As for how the character of Apocalypse will be depicted in the series, it remains uncertain. Notably, Marquand’s avoidance of specifying which Apocalypse comics he would recommend hints at potential inspirations drawn from iconic story arcs. His evasive response regarding the “Age of Apocalypse”could suggest that the classic 1995 event might influence the unfolding narrative in season two.
Our Perspective on Ross Marquand’s Insights
The season one finale has set the stage for a multifaceted storyline involving both the historical En Sabah Nur and Apocalypse’s future self, suggesting that both incarnations will play pivotal roles. This development opens the door for the introduction of multiple mutant factions, possibly creating complex alliances or confrontations across the timelines. As anticipation builds for the return of X-Men ’97 in 2026, fans can look forward to richly woven narratives that dive deeper into the legacy of one of Marvel’s most intriguing villains.