Key Takeaways:
– Despite current popularity, X-Men: The Animated Series struggled for almost ten years before it was greenlit.
– The series creator, Eric Lewald, and TV producer, Margaret Loesch, endured rejections as the concept was deemed too “inside-comic-bookie”.
– X-Men ’97, a sequel to the original series, arguably owes its success to the foundation laid by X-Men: The Animated Series.
Every superhero seeped in our minds has its own origin story; so does the series showcasing them. X-Men: The Animated Series, widely acclaimed as one of the most definitive adaptations of superhero comics, also has a unique genesis worth delving into.
X-Men’s Journey from Comic Books to Screen
The series, beloved globally, almost never saw the light of the day. Hollywood was skeptical about the popularity of X-Men, leading to an almost decade-long deferment of the series. The intriguing characters that we applaud today had to leap over several procedural hurdles before they could unleash their powers on the small screen.
Eric Lewald, the series creator, in an interview with Marvel for The Making of ‘X-Men: The Animated Series,’ unveiled the challenges faced to bring the comics to life. Margaret Loesch, Fox Kids‘ diligent TV producer, who also brought the Power Rangers to life, endeavored persistently to pitch the concept. However, the premise was repeatedly deemed as being too “inside-comic-bookie,” leading to consistent dismissals.
Unwavering Faith and Persistence Pays Off
Loesch’s unwavering belief in the appeal of X-Men didn’t wane amidst the rejections. When the opportunity presented itself, she sought the strongest talents like Larry and Will to make her vision a reality.
Finally, in February 1992, X-Men ’97 was greenlit. This project not only adapted some of the best X-Men storylines from the comics but also played instrumental in bringing seminal X-Men and Power Rangers to Fox Kids, leaving an indelible mark on their respective genres.
The Role X-Men: The Animated Series Played in X-Men ’97 Success
The existence and bastion of X-Men ’97 largely owes to the prior creation of X-Men: The Animated Series. As a fresh spin on X-Men, the sequel benefited significantly from the established framework of the characters and setting the first show offered.
Despite its distinctive identity from its predecessor, X-Men ’97 leveraged the popularity and recognizability of the characters from the Animated Series. Without their predecessors’ hard-won battle, X-Men ’97 might have drawn a significantly smaller audience despite its brilliance.
The Legacy Lives On
The impact of X-Men: The Animated Series endures today, with sequels like X-Men ’97 available for streaming on Disney+. The determined efforts of its creators not only paved the way for successful sequels but also allowed the X-Men’s beloved characters to stake their claim in mainstream media forever.
In synopsis, the journey of the X-Men: The Animated Series from an idea to a cultural phenomenon is one filled with persistent efforts, unyielding faith, and of course, a bit of superhero magic.
