Marvel fans are deep into 2026 with a steady stream of Disney+ hits like Wonder Man and Daredevil: Born Again, but the summer belongs to the long-awaited second season of X-Men '97. The animated revival has already packed in callbacks to Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Eternals, and even Moon Knight in its first four episodes. But it's the gut-wrenching end of Episode 4 that has everyone talking: Magneto's death at the hands of Apocalypse.
Voice actor Matthew Waterson, who took over the role of Erik Lehnsherr, recently sat down with Collider's Maggie Lovitt for an exclusive interview. He revealed that he learned of Magneto's fate long before recording began—back when he was still working on Season 1. Waterson said he had a conversation with Gambit actor A.J. LoCascio, who had just learned about his own character's demise in the first season. "I already knew what was coming for me, too," Waterson shared. "I asked him how it was going, and he said, 'Good—It's a lot, but it makes sense.'"
Waterson also credited former showrunner Beau DeMayo for giving him a heads-up before Season 2 recording started. "He laid out the broad strokes of what was going to happen to Erik," Waterson explained. "So by the time I got the script, it wasn't a shock. I didn't have every detail, but I knew it was coming." That early warning helped Waterson prepare for one of the series' most brutal moments.
But here's the twist: Magneto's death scene almost played out very differently. Waterson revealed that the original version was much less graphic. "My memory is a little sketchy, but the death you see now isn't what it originally was," he said. "Originally, it was a bit more out of sight." He compared it to Gambit's death in Season 1, Episode 5, "Remember It," where the actual killing happens off-screen. The creative team decided to change course, opting for a more direct approach. "The thinking was, in terms of 'show, don't tell,' letting Charles actually see what happens—have him experience it—was important for that character," Waterson explained.
The result is a scene that forces viewers to watch Magneto's final moments in excruciating detail. Waterson noted that the first recording had a more nebulous ending, with the audience relying on Professor X's reaction to understand the tragedy. Over time, the scene became "much more direct." It's a bold choice that underscores the stakes of Season 2, which has already proven that no character is safe. Ross Marquand, who voices Apocalypse, previously told Collider that the season would pull no punches, and he's been proven right before the halfway point.
Waterson also teased that more deaths are coming in Season 2. "There are definitely more shocking moments ahead," he hinted, though he kept specifics under wraps. Fans are already bracing themselves for what could be an even bloodier second half. For those who love tracking when TV characters get axed, X-Men '97 is delivering some of the most memorable exits in recent animation history.
The first four episodes of X-Men '97 Season 2 are now streaming on Disney+. With Magneto's death reworked to be more brutal, and Waterson hinting at more carnage ahead, the season is shaping up to be a must-watch for Marvel fans. Stay tuned for more updates, and check out the full interview with Waterson on Collider Set Stories.
