X-Men: The Animated Series remains beloved among comic book fans and we'll finally return to that world in Marvel Animation's upcoming X-Men '97. The biggest surprise in the new trailer was just how similar the animation style is in the revival, but there will be one big alteration beyond the voice cast.
The homepage for X-Men '97 on Disney+ reveals that the show is going to be rated TV-14; the small screen equivalent of PG-13, this is a fairly noteworthy change compared to X-Men: The Animated Series' TV-Y7 rating.
"This program contains material that most parents would find unsuitable for children under 14 years of age," reads an official description which strongly seems to suggest X-Men '97 will explore slightly more mature and hard-hitting themes. The original did that too but the world is a different place now.
The latest issue of Empire Magazine also includes an interesting update on the shapeshifting Morph, a character who we've now learned will be portrayed as nonbinary.
According to the publication, X-Men '97 will feature a "lighter take on the character, who is nonbinary and has an interesting buddy relationship with Wolverine." Morph wasn't portrayed in this manner in X-Men: The Animated Series or the comics, so it appears to be a shakeup made to increase the revival's level of diversity.
It's noted that Morph's history with Mister Sinister will also "come into play" during the course of the series.
X-Men: The Animated Series saw Morph, a mutant who can transform into both male and female characters, seemingly die in a battle with the Senintels. He survived and fell under Mister Sinister's influence, later parting ways with the X-Men due to that brief change in allegiance.
"He really set the stakes, and he had a very interesting relationship with the team because of trauma," X-Men '97 showrunner Beau DeMayo said of the character who will now be voiced by J. P. Karliak. The original Morph, Ron Rubin, is taking on the role of President Robert Edward Kelly.
"X-Men'97 revisits the iconic era of the 1990s as The X-Men," reads a brief synopsis, "a band of mutants who use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them, are challenged like never before, forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future."
X-Men '97 is set to premiere on Disney+ on March 20. Keep checking back here for updates on the show.