'X-Men '97' Episode 5: Jaw-dropping MCU cameo hints at major storyline speculation
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In the latest episode of 'X-Men '97', titled 'Remember It' which aired on Wednesday, April 10, the animated series took a dramatic turn by drawing inspiration from the 'E is for Extinction' storyline from Marvel Comics.
This storyline, which debuted in 2001, marked the beginning of Grant Morrison's influential run on the 'X-Men' comics.
The episode follows Magneto, Rogue, and Gambit as they travel to Genosha to seek official recognition for the mutant nation in the United Nations. However, their mission takes a disastrous turn when Genosha comes under attack by advanced Sentinels, resulting in widespread devastation.
The episode not only delves into this tragic storyline but also hints at a potential connection to the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This is a significant development, considering 'X-Men '97' serves as a continuation of the beloved 'X-Men: The Animated Series', which originally aired from 1992 to 1997.
With its shocking cameo appearance, the latest installment of 'X-Men '97' adds another layer of intrigue for fans, hinting at the possibility of further crossover between the animated series and the MCU.
The Watcher makes a surprise cameo in 'X-Men '97'
In 'X-Men '97' Episode 5, just before the Sentinels attacked Genosha, some keen-eyed viewers might have caught a glimpse of the Watcher. This cosmic entity appeared briefly before Magneto and Rogue's elegant dance and Cable's reunion with his biological mother, Madelyne Pryor.
In both Marvel Comics and the main MCU timeline, The Watcher is known for overseeing significant events that shape worlds and split timelines. Thus, his appearance in the skies above Genosha just before the devastating Sentinel attack seems fitting, hinting at the magnitude of the impending chaos.
Is this the same The Watcher from Marvel's 'What If...?'
Firstly, for those doubting if the cosmic entity is indeed The Watcher, Beau DeMayo, the head writer of 'X-Men '97', recently liked a post on X discussing Utau's (The Watcher) appearance. This nod from the series' head writer adds weight to the speculation surrounding the identity of the character.
It's worth noting that Utau pops up in the original 'X-Men' animated series, notably in the episode 'The Dark Phoenix, Part III: The Dark Phoenix.' Also, The Watcher we see in 'X-Men '97' looks a bit different from the one in 'What If...?', sporting that classic pointy collar and oversized head.
This might mean we're dealing with different Watchers here. However, in the MCU realm, The Watcher's gig involves keeping tabs on the Multiverse from the Nexus of All Realities.
Is 'X-Men '97' connected to 'Deadpool & Wolverine'?
Marvel Studios' upcoming project, 'Deadpool & Wolverine' brings together both 'X-Men' and the Multiverse from the MCU. This opens up exciting possibilities for MCU characters to make appearances in 'X-Men '97'.
The villain of 'Deadpool & Wolverine' is set to be Emma Corrin as Cassandra Nova, an unnatural life that becomes telepathically entangled with Charles Xavier in the comics. Cassandra Nova's role in the comics is notably tied to the tragic Genosha Massacre which was seen in Episode 5.
Now, rumors are swirling about her potential arc in 'Deadpool & Wolverine'. Her objective could be to annihilate Mutants across the Multiverse. Match that with The Watcher appearing in 'X-Men '97' and the unknown variety of universes set to appear in 'Deadpool & Wolverine', and there's certainly a reality where animated and live-action crosses over, or at least we hope so.
Hugh Jackman is back as Wolverine, but he is donning his comic-accurate suit, which looks similar to the animated version of the character as well. Despite Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool entering the MCU and visiting the TVA, it's unclear what other Earths or universes the upcoming film could visit.
It would be thrilling to witness Deadpool and Wolverine stepping into the 'X-Men '97' universe and encountering animated versions of themselves, even though we still haven't seen the Deadpool of the 'X-Men '97' universe yet.
While it once seemed unlikely, there's now a glimmer of hope for an unprecedented crossover between 'X-Men '97' and the MCU.
5 episodes of 'X-Men '97' are now streaming on Disney+.