Posted in: Disney+, TV | Tagged: X-Men '97

X-Men '97 EPs on Gambit's Death & Season 2: Rogue, Apocalypse & More

X-Men '97 EPs Larry Houston and Eric & Julia Lewald on how Gambit's death "looms greatly," its impact on Rogue, and the Apocalypse factor.

Along with the release of the official trailer and July 1st release date, Marvel Animation and Disney+'s X-Men '97 EPs Larry Houston and Eric & Julia Lewald have been dropping some key intel on what viewers can expect (including how the team is already offering script notes for Season 4). For this go-around, the trio discusses the lasting impact that Gambit's (A.J. LoCascio)  death is having on the team, with Houston noting that it "looms greatly over season 2," especially with Rogue (Lenore Zann) still mourning. "Gambit has been such a core character to the X-Men, pretty much since he debuted in the comics back in 1990," Houston added. "He's been a huge part of our storytelling in the animated series, as well, and I know fans have a lot of expectations on how we follow up on everything that happened in season 1 in this new season."

Of course, how can we forget that scene during the end credits of the first season finale, with Apocalypse holding one of Gambit's playing cards and saying, "So much pain, my children. So much… death," as he stares at the place where Gambit lost his life. Considering Gambit's "history" with Apocalypse in the comics and that ten-ton hint that was dropped with the "death" line, it looks like Apocalypse might be getting the nad back together. "We probably don't wanna get too close to answering that specifically, but appreciate that a lot of folks are picking up breadcrumbs. And that's positive," Julia offered. Eric added, "If you were a betting man, I would say, follow the breadcrumbs."

X-Men '97 Season 2 continues with the heroic mutant team of X-Men, divided and thrown across different eras in time as they struggle to navigate their return home. Meanwhile, back in the 1990s, suspicious foes and new strains of mutant intolerance are on the rise in the wake of the X-Men's absence. The second season of the original animated series features 9 episodes, and the voice cast includes Ross Marquand as Professor X, Matthew Waterson as Magneto, Ray Chase as Cyclops, Jennifer Hale as Jean Grey, Alison Sealy-Smith as Storm, Cal Dodd as Wolverine, Lenore Zann as Rogue, and George Buza as Beast.

Coming out of New York Comic Con (NYCC) 2025 weekend back in October 2025, Marvel Television and Marvel Animation's Brad Winderbaum and EPs Eric Lewald and Julia Lewald had some big intel to share with X-Men '97 fans. First, it was announced that the animated series would return for its second season in Summer 2026 and that it would be back for a third season. From there, a teaser trailer was shown offering a look at Apocalypse, as the heroes struggle to get back home after being scattered throughout time during the season finale. But Winderbaum had even more news to share regarding the show's future – specifically, a fourth and fifth season. "There is definitely, more than possibly, more to come from 'X-Men '97.' We're talking about Seasons 4 and 5 now," he shared with Collider. As for how the recently confirmed third season is coming along, Winderbaum added, "Season 3 is… I've almost seen animatics for the entire season, and it is incredible. I saw an episode the other day."

Speaking with The Official Marvel Podcast, Winderbaum discussed what a benefit it was to have the Lewalds and Larry Houston on board as executive producers for the second season, given their wealth of knowledge and experience with the original series. "It's so great to return to that time period, and there's so much nostalgia for that original series. For me personally, and for the fans, it's so rewarding to see these characters back. It's so rewarding to see the cast members come back. And in season 2, we brought, you know, Eric and Julia Lewald and Larry Houston were consulting producers on season 1, but they're full executive producers on season two and have really helped guide the team. What's amazing about working with them is not just how amazing they are as storytellers and how sharp their instincts are, but they can speak to the limitations of the time they made the original series, which is the aesthetic of the new show," Winderbaum shared.

He continued, "You know, we live in a time where you can make anything look like anything. And the challenge is actually finding your limitations, finding your parameters, cuz now you have to make your own parameters so that it's not a free-for-all. And 'X-Men 97' has like the most amazing authentic set of aesthetic values, per maybe more than any show I've ever made. And that is born out of the troubles that Eric, Julia, and Larry had when making the original series, you know? What it took to stage an animated show back then is much different than what it takes now. It's a completely different industry. It's a completely different release strategy. The technology is different. Everything's different. That's why it's so remarkable to be able to work with them and to bring them back."

X-Men '97 Season 2: Brad Winderbaum's NYCC 2025 Updates

"Well, first and foremost, it's actually the entire creative team. Same director, same producers, same cast, many of the same writers, and it's standing on the shoulders of giants," Winderbaum shared ahead of the NYCC panel when asked if there would be any major creative changes behind the scenes with the departure of original Showrunner Beau DeMayo. "One thing that makes 'X-Men '97' work so well is that everybody's rowing in exactly the same direction. Everyone that works on the show knows that original series inside and out. And we work very closely with Eric and Julia Lewald and Larry Houston [X-Men: The Animated Series creators]. They're here all the time reviewing material and talking to the artists. The second season feels very much a worthy successor to the first season."

As for what viewers can expect regarding the on-screen action, Winderbaum added that the tease of Gambit as the Angel of Death "certainly matters" and that "Apocalypse is a big part of season 2." Regarding Ross Marquand's previous comments that the season was "very, very dark" and that "a lot of people die," the Marvel Studios executive added, "I saw something about that. I would say that it is the same stakes as season 1. I wouldn't characterize it as a lot of characters die! It's not 'Marvel Zombies,' but like many great anime shows, like 'X-Men '97' season 1, mortality's on the table, and some of these characters want to do what's right at any cost."

The series is executive produced by Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D'Esposito, Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, Julia Lewald, Eric Lewald, Larry Houston, and Beau DeMayo. The supervising producer is Jake Castorena. Episodes written by JB Ballard, Beau DeMayo, Bailey Moore, Antony Sellitti, Brian Ford Sullivan, and Mariah Wilson. The episodic directors are Emmett Yonemura and Chase Conley.

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