X-Men '97's possible impact on the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been addressed by its showrunner. The animated series will be the first project produced by Marvel Studios based on the mutants that previously had their rights tied to Fox. X-Men '97's release date has been revealed to be March 20, 2024, putting it before Deadpool & Wolverine's July release. As the first X-Men project by Marvel Studios, anticipation is high for the show.
X-Men '97 is not canon to the MCU, with the showrunner stating, 'We are our own thing.' The show will be a direct continuation of X-Men: The Animated Series, with the series having no ties to the MCU. While Marvel fans are excited about the X-Men coming to the MCU in future projects, it is for the best that X-Men '97 remains its own entity.
Marvel Studios' take on the X-Men in the MCU is highly anticipated, but X-Men '97 should focus on its unique story. The upcoming Disney+ show has the task of continuing the beloved X-Men series while introducing new elements and character dynamics.
X-Men '97 can serve as a reminder that not all Marvel Studios projects have to be MCU canon. By existing in its own universe, the animated series has the freedom to explore different creative choices.
The revival of X-Men '97 picks up where the original 1990s animated series left off, featuring iconic mutants like Wolverine, Storm, Rogue, Gambit, Cyclops, Beast, Magneto, and Nightcrawler. The show will see these characters battling familiar villains such as Mr. Sinister, the Sentinels, and the Hellfire Club.