A new report indicates that the original creators of the X-Men: The Animated Series are planning to pitch Disney on the idea of continuing the series.
The Hollywood Reporter states that show creators along with artist Larry Houston are pitching to bring the animated series to the Disney streaming service.
Houston told THR, “The one thing we’d like to do more than anything else is to continue where we left off.”
This would not be the first time an animated series would be resurrected by Disney. Disney announced that they are bringing back Star Wars: The Clone Wars for their Disney+ streaming platform for a final season.
DC Universe also resurrected Young Justice for a third season. So, there’s definitely hope that this pitch could work especially given the popularity of X-Men: The Animated Series.
Where Did the Series Leave Off?
Last time I watched the series, there was a rushed production to do the entire Phalanx Covenant in about 1-2 episodes. I was already familiar with the storyline of the Phalanx Covenant in the comics that ran in 1994. It was airing its 5th season, in 1997, my junior year of High School.
Looking back, I remember being disappointed with the adaptation of the techno-organic race for the animated series. They were less menacing, and the horror elements were completely lacking. I could look at the art of Adam and Andy Kubert and be absolutely terrified at the situation the X-Men and Wolverine were facing. And I was also disappointed that they didn’t tie in the introduction of Generation X.
But a younger version of me appreciated the series for at least trying to tackle a story that spanned over several comics and took months of issues to tell. I don’t remember an ending episode for the series. All I recall is a bit of disappointment when the Saturday morning cartoon show just disappeared one day. The internet was fresh and the trades weren’t as heavily covered. So news about cancellations and such were lost to me. And I quickly moved on to Toonami and Dragon Ball Z in 1998.
What Could They Explore
As much as I love the older storylines, many of them were explored by the show already. The Brood really didn’t get airtime. However, the subject matter might be a little too adult-themed for a kids show.
God loves, Man Kills is a classic, but X2 did somewhat of an adaptation of the classic Chris Claremont story.
There’s also Generation X, which could usher in the new class of mutants and bring some new faces to the Xavier School. It could then explore the X-Men being more than a mutant team of fighters, but a collaborative effort of educators attempting to teach youngsters the responsibility of power and what they can do with it. To change the world for better or worse. And it would tie in perfectly to where they left off the series with the Phalanx Covenant.
The cast of the 90’s X-Men animated series will be at the L.A. Comic Con this October. That coupled with the final X-Men film in theaters, it could be the perfect time to get some buzz and nostalgia going for the team of mutants.
But what do you think? Should the X-Men get an animated series for the Disney + streaming service? What storylines could they explore if the series gets a green light? Sound off in the comments below or let’s talk about it on social media!