Fans of Marvel’s X-Men ’97 should brace themselves, things are about to get even darker in the hit animated revival.
At FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention, Collider’s Maggie Lovitt hosted a Walking Dead panel featuring Cooper Andrews and Ross Marquand. During the discussion, Marquand was asked if he could share anything about the upcoming season of X-Men ’97. His response was blunt: Season 2 is “very dark.”
The actor, who voices both Professor X and Apocalypse in the Disney+ series, revealed that his role as Apocalypse will be front and center in the new episodes. “I play Apocalypse next season too, so there’s a lot of scenes for myself as Apocalypse. I’m dressed in rags, which is kind of weird, but yeah,” Marquand teased.
But the bigger revelation came when he dug deeper into the tone of the season. “I’m amazed Disney greenlit it because it’s so dark. It’s very, very dark. A lot of people die, and so many people don’t talk about it. Just being honest.”
That candid comment makes Marquand the first cast member to confirm the high body count awaiting fans in Season 2. While X-Men ’97 has always leaned into weightier storylines, his comments suggest the follow-up will push the boundaries even further.
Marquand’s dual performance as Professor X and Apocalypse adds another layer to the intrigue, especially given the long-running conflict between the X-Men and one of their greatest foes. His hint about Apocalypse appearing “in rags” suggests a new take on the iconic villain that could tie into the darker direction of the show.
According to Collider, Season 2 will be released sometime next year.
