Are we finally going to get an answer to this monthslong mystery? Shortly before X-Men ‘97 premiered on Disney+ in March, show creator Beau DeMayo was reportedly fired from the project. The reason for his abrupt exit wasn’t clear. At the time, Marvel exec Brad Winderbaum told Entertainment Weekly that he would characterize DeMayo’s departure not as a firing, but rather a parting of ways. However, after DeMayo recently leveled allegations against Marvel on social media, the studio has changed its tune: Marvel is now claiming that DeMayo was “terminated†due to the “egregious†findings of an internal investigation. Here’s what to know about DeMayo’s hiring and apparent firing, including new reports that level allegations of sexual misconduct against him and a statement from his attorney declaring that he will “bravely tell the truth.â€
How was DeMayo involved in X-Men ‘97?
He joined X-Men ‘97 (the Disney+ revival of X-Men: The Animated Series) as show creator, executive producer, and head writer — news that was celebrated by those excited to see a Black gay man’s take on characters who are deemed societal outcasts. However, DeMayo was reportedly fired just days before the first season premiered on Disney+ in March. He was said to have already completed work on the second season. Neither DeMayo nor Disney initially offered an explanation for his departure.
X-Men ‘97 season one debuted to critical acclaim, and has been nominated for Outstanding Animated Program at this year’s Emmy Awards. “To those asking, Marvel-Disney has not reached out to arrange my attendance to the Emmy’s [sic] for the show I created #xmen97,†DeMayo tweeted on August 12. In a reply to a fan, he added, “I created and produced it, and was the entire creative point and leader on every aspect and stage or production.â€
What did DeMayo accuse Disney of?
On August 15, DeMayo took to social media to allege that Marvel said it would remove his X-Men ‘97 season two credits over a post he made for Pride Month to share fan art of himself, ripped and shirtless, as Cyclops. “On June 13, #Marvel sent a letter notifying me that they’d stripped my Season 2 credits due to the post,†DeMayo alleged. “Sadly, this is the latest in a troubling pattern I suffered through while on working on #XMen97 and #Blade. I’ll have more to say soon but must take a step back from social media to find a safer space for me to be out, proud, and nerdy. Stay tuned.â€
What was Disney’s response?
In a statement to Variety, Marvel Studios claimed that DeMayo was “terminated in March 2024 following an internal investigation. Given the egregious nature of the findings, we severed ties with him immediately and he has no further affiliation with Marvel.†Citing an unnamed source with knowledge of the investigation, Variety’s report specified that the investigation was conducted over evidence of sexual misconduct, and that DeMayo’s credits were removed after he repeatedly violated his termination agreement. Unnamed insider sources told The Hollywood Reporter and the Los Angeles Times that part of the agreement terms involved DeMayo’s social media posts about the show.
What misconduct allegations have been leveled against DeMayo?
Unnamed sources claimed to the The Insneider in an August 16 report that DeMayo sent young male staffers photos where he was either nude or in “states of undress.†Allegedly, in some of these photos, DeMayo was dressed in superhero costumes and hitting sexually suggestive poses under the pretense that they could be “inspiration†for the show. He allegedly continued to send these photos after being asked to stop.
The Insneider’s report further includes allegations that DeMayo groped an assistant multiple times and was emotionally and physically abusive to staffers. More broadly, it alleges that DeMayo was let go from Netflix’s The Witcher due to “similarly troubling behavior.†(DeMayo has previously claimed in a 2022 Instagram Story that some of The Witcher’s writers “actively disliked†and even mocked the source material, which he called a “recipe for disaster and bad morale.â€)
Will there be legal action between DeMayo and Disney?
It sure seems like DeMayo wants that. After Marvel issued its statement, DeMayo tweeted that Disney and Marvel were following their “usual playbook,†adding, “Legal letters as well as other items to prove their long-standing pattern to follow.†His attorney, Bryan Freedman, similarly said in a statement to Vulture that he plans to prove that Disney follows a playbook of “secretly attempting to plant illegal unconscionable items in contracts that silence the truth and stop the employee/customer from asserting basic constitutional rights.†The statement goes on to accuse Disney’s “international well oiled publicity machine†of “gaslighting†and redirecting blame toward anyone who tries to expose the truth. Freedman claims that he will expose this “bullying and illegal conduct†with the help of evidence and multiple clients who are willing to share their experiences. “Beau DeMayo wants nothing from Marvel/Disney except the truth,†the attorney’s statement concludes. “He will bravely tell the truth. So will I. Stand by.â€
And what about future seasons of X-Men ‘97?
A release date for X-Men ‘97 season two has yet to be announced, but there have been no signs that its rollout will be affected. Marvel Animation’s panel at D23 this year teased footage from the upcoming season and revealed that the characters will suit up in gold-and-black costumes inspired by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s New X-Men comics. Meanwhile, Marvel has already found a successor for DeMayo: Deadline reported back in July that Matthew Chauncey, known for his work on What If…?, will take over writing duties for X-Men ‘97 season three.