'Marvel Studios' Assembled: The Making of X-Men '97': 5 things MCU can learn from 'X-Men '97'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Marvel Studios' Assembled: The Making of X-Men '97' is streaming on Disney+ starting Wednesday, May 22, 2024. The documentary offers an in-depth look at the process behind making the acclaimed animated series 'X-Men '97'.
'X-Men '97' has proven to be an exceptionally successful series, with fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe appreciating the animated show. Many wonder why it outshines recent TV shows produced by Marvel Studios.
Recent series like 'Ms. Marvel', 'Secret Invasion', 'She-Hulk: Attorney at Law', and 'Echo' have faced criticism, while even well-received series like 'Hawkeye', 'What If...?', and 'Moon Knight' haven't captured the same aura as 'X-Men '97'.
Marvel Studios' Assembled: The Making of X-Men '97' provided insight into the brilliant minds and creative geniuses behind 'X-Men '97', highlighting several reasons that contributed to its success. Here are some of those reasons:
Investment in writing and pre-production
'Marvel Studios' Assembled: The Making of X-Men '97' reveals that the makers of 'X-Men '97' invested heavily in pre-production from its conceptualization to the choice of creators, themes, and voice casting.
What contributed to the success of the series was the fact that it was an animated series, which allowed for less scope for improvisation during performances compared to conventional films.
As is revealed in the documentary, the creators of 'X-Men '97' delved deep into the little details behind making 'X-Men '97'.
From the choice of the title track to the visual appearance of the series, much of it was meticulously planned out before production began.
Films and series in phases 4 & 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe have been guilty of leaving a lot for editing and post-production and by learning from 'X-Men '97', they can put in a lot more work into their pre-production process before getting to shooting or production phase.
Not being afraid to experiment
'Marvel Studios' Assembled: The Making of X-Men '97' explores how the original 'X-Men' series and 'X-Men '97' have both been fearless in their approach while creating the series.
The makers discuss how they trust their audiences' intelligence and prioritize sticking to the core of the story, avoiding actions that would compromise the depth of the plot.
However, some feel that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has lacked experimentation, leading to predictable content, which may be affecting the quality of their TV shows.
Element of surprise
In the recent past, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been criticized for losing its edge in keeping the audience guessing, especially with its cameos.
This is something that 'X-Men '97' executed brilliantly, particularly with the Spider-Man cameo in the eighth episode.
In 'Marvel Studios' Assembled: The Making of X-Men '97', the importance of cliffhangers and surprises to the 'X-Men' franchise as a whole is highlighted.
It is indeed what initially hooked the audience. 'X-Men '97' also incorporates its share of surprises, keeping audiences eagerly anticipating what the series will offer next.
Telling relatable and human stories
'Marvel Studios' Assembled: The Making of X-Men '97' illuminates how 'X-Men' is grounded in a world close to reality, with its characters facing relatable obstacles. How they overcome these obstacles often contains hidden life lessons.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has frequently delved deeply into the supernatural realm, which has sometimes disconnected it from the conflicts viewers face in their everyday lives.
If they were to tap into life's common conflicts and integrate them into their storylines, it could pave the way for some exciting and relatable content.
Using technology to accentuate reality
'X-Men '97' demonstrates that technology can serve as an enabler to add emotional impact to scenes that might otherwise appear mundane.
'Marvel Studios' Assembled: The Making of X-Men '97' delves into the use of technology as a tool to enhance storytelling and make the narratives more engaging.
Marvel Cinematic Universe however has over-indulged itself with the use of technology and that sometimes has made their cinema lose connection with the real world. Smart use of technology could be the key to the revival of Marvel's TV shows.
'X-Men '97' trailer
'Marvel Studios' Assembled: The Making of X-Men '97' is streaming on Disney+.