Marvel Studios has found itself at the center of controversy with the termination of Beau DeMayo, the creator and head writer of the highly anticipated animated series “X-Men ’97.” The studio issued a statement confirming that DeMayo was dismissed in March 2024 following an internal investigation that uncovered what they described as “egregious” misconduct.
The situation took a public turn when DeMayo shared his side of the story on social media. In a series of posts, he claimed that his dismissal was linked to a Gay Pride post he made on Instagram, which featured fan art of himself as the iconic mutant superhero Cyclops. According to DeMayo, Marvel informed him in June 2024 that his writing credits for the second season of “X-Men ’97” had been revoked due to this post. He described this move as part of a broader pattern of troubling experiences during his time working on the series.
DeMayo’s departure occurred before the series debuted on Disney+, with the first season receiving some of the most positive reviews for Marvel’s streaming content in recent years. Critics praised the show for its bold storytelling and complex characters, a testament to DeMayo’s creative influence. Despite his significant contributions, DeMayo was not invited to the Primetime Creative Emmy Awards, where the show was nominated for Best Animated Program.
In a further twist, DeMayo’s social media activity included a response to Marvel’s official statement, where he hinted at a deeper conflict with the studio. He suggested that Marvel was using alleged contract breaches as a pretext to obscure the true reasons for his dismissal, urging his followers to “stay tuned” for more revelations.
As the dust settles, the future of “X-Men ’97” remains bright, but the circumstances surrounding DeMayo’s exit continue to spark discussion and debate, particularly within the LGBTQ community, where his work and visibility as a gay creator have been influential.