Fired ‘X-Men ’97’ Showrunner Slams Marvel’s New X-Men Movie Plans & Kevin Feige: ‘It’s Sad’

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Beau DeMayo, who once oversaw X-Men ’97, expressed his reservations about Marvel Studios’ approach to the X-Men. In DeMayo’s opinion, what Marvel is doing with the mutants is unfortunate. Despite fans eagerly anticipating the arrival of the X-Men in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, DeMayo questions the path that the studio is choosing.

DeMayo, who was dismissed from Marvel due to alleged severe misconduct, continues to express his views publicly. In a sequence of posts on platform X, he voiced his dissatisfaction with Marvel’s approach to integrating the X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Though he expressed his desire to contribute to the live-action X-Men films as a writer or director, he stated, ‘To begin with, the X-Men are far beyond any individual creative genius, myself included. Would I have cherished the opportunity to script, direct, manage these live action productions? Absolutely. However, I firmly believe that there are immensely talented artists out there who possess captivating visions and narratives for the X-Men. As for the MCU’s Mutant Saga, my faith isn’t established yet, no.”

DeMayo stressed the importance of thoughtful planning when incorporating the X-Men into the MCU. He emphasized the need to treat these characters with care and consideration, acknowledging the strong bond between fans and their beloved characters over time. In his words: “Careful planning is essential for introducing the X-Men. It’s about crafting a story that will connect with audiences while staying true to the characters and their emotional significance in fan culture. This means putting aside personal ambitions and instead focusing on understanding and respecting the established lore of the mutants.

As a devoted fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), I can’t help but voice my thoughts on the transformation of Kamala Khan, also known as Ms. Marvel. In the latest adaptation, her origins were shifted from an Inhuman to a mutant, which I find quite unexpected and, in my opinion, feels like a young adult novel-style retcon that Kevin Feige seemed to have imposed upon the franchise. I personally believe it would have been more fitting and exciting for them to introduce some iconic X-Men characters instead.

He proposed an idea where a freshly minted Jubilee, instead of appearing unexpectedly, could join Ms. Marvel towards the end as a recruiter for the X-Men. This would seem more logical compared to the sudden introduction of her as a mutant in the series, which some consider forced and out of place within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

DeMayo expressed reservations about certain Marvel guest appearances. Specifically, he felt uneasy about Patrick Stewart’s brief reprisal of Professor X in Doctor Strange 2, describing it as an “unusual, nostalgia-fueled cameo” that lacked depth for the characters. Furthermore, regarding the mid-credits scene from The Marvels, where Monica Rambeau interacts with Beast, he viewed it as a “desperate attempt to stir emotions.

Instead of having Monica encounter someone ordinary, it would have been more fitting and engaging for fans if she had met a character similar to Anna Paquin’s Rogue. As stated, ‘If all the Phase 1 films set the stage for a compelling Avengers story, why introduce Beast and Monica? It seems like an unsuccessful attempt to generate interest. A more effective finale would have been Monica or Carol waking up to meet…Anna Paquin’s Rogue-just like what the MCU’s Phase 1 end-credits did.’

Additionally, DeMayo expressed concerns about Marvel’s overreliance on characters from the older Fox universe, such as Wolverine and Deadpool. He believed this was a sign of laziness, suggesting that Marvel prioritizes pleasing fans over crafting a coherent narrative. Furthermore, he criticized the inclusion of adamantium in Captain America: Brave New World, claiming it added nothing significant to the story and created timeline inconsistencies. In his opinion, bringing back Fox characters thought to be deceased is merely a ploy to generate artificial interest and divert attention from Marvel Studios’ prolonged series of failures over the past decade.

DeMayo expressed disappointment that Marvel seems to have strayed from the essence of what made X-Men significant. He voiced criticism towards Kevin Feige and Nate Moore for not attending the X-Men ’97 premiere, and further argued that while Deadpool and Wolverine are given credit for keeping the X-Men relevant, it was actually X-Men ’97 that truly resonated with fans. In his words, “Regrettably, Kevin Feige and his followers despised what my team and I created, but it was the one that received all the recognition.

He contemplated the central themes of Marvel’s press events, noticing the difference between their initial approach and the current one. In the beginning, Marvel discussions centered around the comics, tales, and dedicated fanbase. However, as DeMayo sees it, the emphasis has shifted towards celebrities and their star appeal instead of giving due importance to the characters themselves. He expressed his dismay by stating, “‘It’s unfortunate, as these characters merit more than serving as a public relations platform for Kevin and his famous friends’ fame and careers.’

Apologies for the inconvenience, but here’s a rephrase:

Darn it, someone queried me about my belief in Marvel Studios’ Mutant Saga, and I accidentally dismissed the message. Hopefully, they catch this. Since I get this question frequently, I thought to make a more comprehensive post that might irk a few of you. My apologies ahead.

To begin with, the X-Men are…

— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) August 15, 2025

At present, Marvel Studios is working on their initial X-Men film for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which is anticipated to premiere during Phase 7. Jake Schreier has been assigned as director, while Michael Lesslie will pen the screenplay. As of now, no cast members or release date have been disclosed; however, fans remain eager and expect Marvel to honor the X-Men’s legacy by producing a captivating story that does justice to these iconic characters.

DeMayo’s critique indicates that individuals who previously collaborated with Marvel also think the X-Men need greater emphasis and dedication. His comments suggest he feels the studio prioritizes self-promotion, publicity gimmicks, and nostalgia over careful storytelling and fan appreciation.

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2025-08-15 20:49