X-Men '97 showrunner and primary writer Beau DeMayo was let go by Marvel Studios without clarification. A recent report offers some insight into the possible motives behind DeMayo's sudden exit shortly before the premiere of X-Men '97.
Aside from his involvement in X-Men '97, DeMayo had prior engagements with Marvel Studios as a writer for Moon Knight and reportedly contributed to drafts for Mahershala Ali's long-awaited MCU reboot of Blade. Completing the writing for X-Men '97 season 2 and being in talks for a potential third season made his unexpected dismissal even more surprising for fans.
An article by Jeff Sneider on The InSneider might shed some light on Marvel Studios' decision to part ways with DeMayo from X-Men '97. According to Sneider, DeMayo was described as "extremely difficult to work with on a daily basis." Following his dismissal, speculations emerged linking his OnlyFans account to the sudden termination, as its nature may not align with Disney's family-friendly image. While this remains speculative, Sneider's report mentions that Disney executives found DeMayo's behavior on OnlyFans unsettling. It's worth noting that neither Marvel Studios nor DeMayo has addressed the specific reason for his departure at this time.
X-Men '97 stands out as one of the most highly anticipated TV releases in March 2024. However, DeMayo's exit is likely to cast a shadow over the promotional activities, even if the subject is avoided during interviews. Some fans on the Marvel Studios subreddit question whether having an OnlyFans account warrants firing a creator, especially since many argue that DeMayo's content was reportedly non-explicit. Fans also question whether Marvel Studios were unaware of DeMayo's OnlyFans activities, given that his account had been public knowledge as early as 2022 (via Out).
The details surrounding DeMayo's departure are expected to remain undisclosed until either Marvel Studios or DeMayo offer an official statement. Despite ongoing speculations, excitement for X-Men '97 remains undiminished. The latest trailer for X-Men '97 was well-received, heightening the anticipation for the series, which adds to Marvel Studios' expanding collection of animated shows.
While mutants have made appearances in Disney-owned Marvel projects since the Fox acquisition, notably when Iman Vellani's Ms. Marvel was revealed to be a mutant, a dedicated X-Men project has not been undertaken by Marvel Studios post-acquisition. Thus, although the team behind X-Men '97 has emphasized its standalone nature, many fans are intrigued to see if the series will become part of the MCU's growing multiverse. Only time will tell, but it's improbable that any off-screen controversies will deter most fans from tuning in.
X-Men '97 is scheduled to debut on Disney Plus on March 20, 2024.
Source: The InSneider