What Really Happened with Beau DeMayo and X-Men ’97?

ByHrvoje Milakovic Posted onJuly 12, 2024August 5, 2024

The X-Men community was taken by surprise when news broke that Beau DeMayo was no longer part of the X-Men ’97 team. DeMayo, known for his work on Marvel projects like Blade and Moon Knight, had played a pivotal role in the writing team for the show. His unexpected exit has left many of us scratching our heads, wondering what led to this change just as the series was gaining momentum.

Brad Winderbaum, the executive producer of X-Men ’97, shared in a March 2024 interview with Entertainment Weekly that Marvel Studios did not fire DeMayo. He stressed that it was more about choosing to go separate ways. Winderbaum praised DeMayo’s dedication and his high-quality scripts that have inspired the rest of the team.

While Marvel is yet to give a clear-cut reason as to why the writer, who had also worked on Moonknight and The Witcher was fired, insiders reported that much of DeMayo’s behavior was deemed to be difficult. Industry insider Jeff Sneider revealed part of the reason while on the podcast ‘The Hot Mic’ with John Rocha.

“I think he was probably difficult to work with and getting on everyone’s last nerve. And, I don’t think the OnlyFans stuff helped. That’s where I leave it for now.”

In his own words on X (formerly Twitter), DeMayo told us he had a big part in crafting the story for Season 2, even though he won’t be heavily involved in its production. He expressed his hopes for the season but kept details close to his chest.

Thank you. I did write a lot of season 2. However, unlike Season 1, I will not be heavily involved or leading production, cast records, design, editorial, post, music, etc., nor doing any production rewrites as it relates to the creative vision of the show. #xmen97
— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) May 17, 2024

Film Stories reported that following DeMayo’s departure, Marvel opted to revise his scripts for the upcoming season. This decision came around the same time as the premiere screening of X-Men ’97, adding to the shock of his sudden departure.

Recently, Deadline revealed that Matthew Chauncey is set to take over as the writer for Season 3 of X-Men ’97. This move marks a new chapter for the series, potentially steering it in a new direction.

While the full story behind DeMayo’s exit remains unclear, his contributions to the Marvel universe and his passion for the characters of X-Men ’97 are undeniable. We look forward to seeing how the new team builds upon his foundation and brings new adventures to life.

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