X-Men '97 Creator raises his dislike for Marvel’s What If...? Season 3

An animated series on Marvel's What If...? premiered on Disney+ in August 2021 which explores the what-if possibilities within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Each episode reinterpreted events from key MCU films, adding a new twist to familiar characters and circumstances.

Jeffrey Wright voiced one of the show's key characters, Uatu the Watcher. Uatu acted as the omniscient narrator, viewing the multiverse's infinite possibilities but refraining from interfering, until unanticipated events obliged him to intervene at critical points.

Beau DeMayo, the previous showrunner for X-Men '97, has attacked What If...? Season 3, which premiered on December 22, 2024. The season included episodes such as a Red Guardian-Winter Soldier collaboration and a Howard the Duck and Darcy Lewis adventure.

DeMayo described the season as "mediocre," with "flat" themes and language. His comments added to the ongoing debate over Marvel's animated content. He also expressed his displeasure with writer Matthew Chauncey for changing his original intentions for X-Men '97's second season.

More about the X-Men '97 creator's dislike for Marvel’s What If...? season 3

Marvel's What If...? ended after its third and final season, with Episode 8 available on Disney+. While reviewers gave the season mostly positive reviews, popular public reaction was more divided, ranging from mixed to negative.

Beau DeMayo, the former main writer for X-Men '97, recently commented on What If...? season 3, calling it "yikes, just yikes" in a post on X (previously Twitter). In the comments, he expressed his dissatisfaction, with several fans stating that they would rather watch water boil than continue watching the series.

DeMayo also discussed his experience with Marvel, stating that Matthew Chauncey, a writer from What If...?, had joined X-Men '97 to rework the second season. He said that Chauncey modified his original "time-hopping" plan, which Marvel deemed too difficult to implement, resulting in a shift in the show's focus.

In response to a question about his specific complaints about Season 3, DeMayo called it "mediocre," pointing out that the themes and dialogue were "flat and obvious," more like "fanfic" than skillfully written. He suggested that these developments had a detrimental effect on the series and ascribed these issues to Chauncey taking over as chief writer and AC Bradley's comeback.

Additional details about What If...? season 3

Marvel's What If...? season 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) explores alternate realms. The season brought fresh twists to iconic characters and narratives while receiving a mixed set of responses from critics and fans

Jeffrey Wright returned as Uatu the Watcher, the enigmatic witness who monitors and occasionally gets involved in the mayhem of the cosmos, while the animated series reintroduces a plethora of beloved characters.

Returning cast members included Hayley Atwell, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Hemsworth, Mick Wingert, Lake Bell, and Josh Keaton.

New actors took over legendary roles such as Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, and Natasha Romanoff, when Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Scarlett Johansson resigned from their MCU roles following Avengers: Endgame.

Season 3 included a variety of innovative tales, including a cooperation between the Red Guardian and the Winter Soldier, as well as an odd Howard the Duck and Darcy Lewis episode.

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Despite conflicting reactions from fans and critics, the series was completed with eight episodes that demonstrated the boundless potential of Marvel's multiverse.

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