Former ‘X-Men ’97’ Showrunner Beau DeMayo Rips ‘What If…?’ Season 3: ‘Feels Like Fanfic’ and ‘Just Yikes!’

As a fervent admirer of the creative geniuses who breathe life into our beloved animated universe, I find myself compelled to express my thoughts on Beau DeMayo’s latest critique of What If…? Season 3. While it’s always refreshing to hear an insider’s perspective, I must admit that I find myself at odds with Mr. DeMayo’s assessment.

You see, as a devoted fan who has followed the trajectory of Marvel’s animated projects closely, I can’t help but feel that perhaps Mr. DeMayo’s critique is a tad biased, given his own tumultuous history with Marvel Studios. Remember, it was his exceptional work on X-Men ’97 that propelled us into the captivating world of mutants, and it’s this very world that now seems to be at the heart of his criticism.

However, I must give credit where it’s due—Mr. DeMayo does have a keen eye for detail. His observation about the lack of substance in What If…? Season 3 and its resemblance to fan fiction is not entirely unfounded. Yet, I can’t help but wonder if this critique might stem from a longing for the complex narratives he once crafted himself, rather than an objective assessment of the show’s quality.

Moreover, his jab about Marvel Studios’ creative team being entirely white and their preference for that “vibe” seems out of place, given his own checkered past with the studio. It’s a delicate matter, one that requires sensitivity and diplomacy—qualities I fear Mr. DeMayo may not have fully grasped in this instance.

In the end, I can’t help but chuckle at the irony of it all. Here we have a man whose own career was cut short due to accusations of misconduct, now casting stones from his glass house. But hey, that’s showbiz for you! After all, as they say, there are no small parts, only small actors—and Mr. DeMayo certainly isn’t small in the grand scheme of things!

In simpler terms, the third season of the show “What If…?” has concluded, leaving fans eager for more. The new characters added to the series sparked debate, particularly due to the increased focus on Captain Carter. More controversially, a peculiar episode emerged where Howard the Duck and Darcy Lewis got married, had a child, and there was an instance suggesting Darcy “laid an egg.

Season 3 was packed with unexpected events yet garnered a significant amount of unfavorable responses. At this moment, it holds the lowest viewer rating among all What If…? seasons on Rotten Tomatoes, scoring only 39%. Even the critics’ score is relatively low at 80%.

In response to various criticisms, the previous showrunner of X-Men ’97, Beau DeMayo, openly expressed his views without reservation.

DeMayo expressed his disappointment with Season 3 of What If…? on social media, labeling it an “unexpectedly disappointing” ordeal. He felt the season was shallow, comparing it to fan-written stories with unengaging, foreseeable dialogue and bizarre plotlines.

Additionally, DeMayo pointed out that this particular season marked the departure of AC Bradley and the arrival of Matthew Chauncey as both the writer and producer. In a light-hearted manner, he suggested that although the season could have been refined further, he was preoccupied with matters of greater importance than providing extensive critique.

#whatif season 3 yikes just yikes

— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) December 27, 2024

It lacks depth and seems more like a work of fan fiction. The dialogues are uninteresting and predictable, while some of the concepts presented are downright peculiar.

— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) December 27, 2024

Despite some viewers finding the intricate, time-hopping plot of the initial episodes of “#whatif” confusing or complex, that level of complexity and depth seemed essential for the show.

— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) December 27, 2024

This is also the season where AC Bradley completely stepped back for Chauncey to take over

— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) December 27, 2024

(Matthew Chauncey was chosen to write ‘X-Men ’97’ Season 3 after Beau DeMayo’s dismissal.)

DeMayo also managed to make it about skin color when detailing his reaction:

Keep in mind that the creative team behind #whatif is entirely white and Marvel likes that vibe

— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) December 27, 2024

It’s worth noting that DeMayo makes a valid observation regarding Marvel Studio’s current lineup of animated productions, given his significant involvement in the success of the ’90s X-Men series, titled ‘X-Men ’97’.

The sequel of “X-Men: The Animated Series” is often praised as Marvel’s finest animated production, receiving rave reviews and impressive scores on Rotten Tomatoes. Remarkably, the series was renewed for a second and third season prior to its initial broadcast due to its incredible success. Regrettably, DeMayo was suddenly dismissed without an immediate explanation; this mystery was eventually unraveled when DeMayo insisted that the studio disclose the facts behind his termination.

Later on, I discovered that my beloved DeMayo had been let go from Disney, following allegations of inappropriate behavior. A representative from Disney shared that the findings of their thorough internal probe were grave enough to necessitate an immediate termination of their association with him.

In March 2024, after conducting a thorough internal inquiry due to serious concerns, we chose to part ways with Mr. DeMayo, and since then, he has had no more connection or association with Marvel.

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2025-01-01 21:44