Fans of X-Men '97 had to wait over two years for the second season, and while it felt like it flew by, the good news is that the wait for more won't be as long. Marvel Studios' Brad Winderbaum has already confirmed that Seasons 3 and 4 will hit Disney+ in 2027 and 2028, respectively, closing the gap between installments. But with Season 3 comes a significant behind-the-scenes shift: Beau DeMayo, the original showrunner, was let go in 2024, and Matthew Chauncey has stepped in to lead the series into its next chapter.
At a recent X-Men '97 panel at FAN EXPO Canada, moderated by Collider's Maggie Lovitt, executive producer Larry Houston offered an exclusive update on how the transition has been going. Houston, who has been with the franchise since the original X-Men: The Animated Series, revealed that the change has been remarkably smooth, despite the potential for creative friction.
“It’s been pretty seamless,” Houston said. “I was introduced to Matthew [Chauncey] while we were doing Season 2. The only thing I’ve had to do — because with the new generation, everybody wants to do Zooms and put it up on the monitor where you’ve got all these little boxes and stuff — so a lot of times I have to insist: I like to come in and have lunch so we can actually talk face to face. But yeah, it’s been pretty good. We’re all on the same page, and they’re open to every idea they come up with, so it’s been a good working relationship.”
Houston's comments suggest that Chauncey, who previously worked on What If...?, has embraced the collaborative spirit of the show. The producer's preference for in-person meetings over virtual ones highlights his commitment to preserving the creative energy that made the original series a classic. Fans can rest easy knowing that the new showrunner is not only receptive to ideas but also aligned with the team's vision.
The seamless transition is particularly reassuring given the show's popularity. X-Men '97 has been a critical and commercial success, reviving the beloved 90s animation style while exploring mature themes. With Season 2 already in the can and Season 3 in production, the series is poised to continue its momentum. The decision to keep the episode count at around nine or ten per season, as Winderbaum explained, is a strategic one to avoid long gaps between releases.
“We want to get these out as quickly as possible,” Winderbaum told Collider earlier this year. “If we did more episodes, it would take longer, and we'd rather have a shorter wait.” This approach has paid off, as fans have responded positively to the show's consistent quality and timely releases.
Looking ahead, the future of X-Men '97 seems bright. With Season 3 on the horizon and Season 4 already planned, the series is set to continue exploring the mutant saga for years to come. The show's success also bodes well for Marvel's broader animated strategy, which has been expanding with projects like Brandon Sanderson's new sci-fi epic and other animated ventures. For now, fans can catch up on the first two seasons of X-Men '97 on Disney+ and look forward to the seamless transition into Season 3.
As Houston's comments suggest, the creative team is united in their goal to honor the legacy of the X-Men while pushing the story forward. With Chauncey at the helm, the series is in good hands, and the wait for Season 3 will be well worth it.
