Published May 28, 2026, 11:15 PM EDT
Since 2019, Kevin Erdmann has been one of Screen Rant's Senior Staff Writers, covering all kinds of Superhero and Star Wars media with Easter egg breakdowns, theory pieces, breaking news, and more. A huge Star Wars & MCU fan, Kevin also loves Batman (because he's Batman), but could talk for hours about why Nightwing is DC's greatest hero.
With 8 years of total experience covering entertainment and pop culture, Kevin has gotten the chance to interview top creatives and talent, and has also attended major media events like Disney's D23 convention.
Majoring in Cinema Studies with a minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies from the UofO, Kevin lives in Oregon with his wonderful wife, adorable dog, and sinister cat who is no doubt currently plotting his demise.
Sign in to your ScreenRant account
Almost 30 years later, Marvel Studios has the perfect opportunity to pay off an original series tease with X-Men '97 season 2. The first season of the popular revival series did a great job of balancing nostalgia with exciting new storytelling, adapting major comics arcs while featuring exciting new synergies between mutant heroes. However, season 2 can finally pay off a handful of teases that were made in the original X-Men animated series for one of the franchise's most popular characters of all time: Deadpool.
Despite being one of the most iconic antiheroes to come out of the late ‘90s and 2000s, Wade Wilson's Deadpool never made a proper debut in X-Men: The Animated Series. However, he was teased and referenced more than once. Since then, Deadpool has become an even bigger household name beyond the page, especially now that he has three live-action movies under his belt, played by Ryan Reynolds.
While it was likely Marvel Studios' Deadpool & Wolverine that kept Wade Wilson out of X-Men '97's first season, a brand-new tease suggests we may finally get to see the "Merc With The Mouth" in this beloved animated universe once the new season begins streaming this July.
Deadpool Was Teased Multiple Times In The Original X-Men Animated Series
Throughout its five seasons, the original X-Men: The Animated Series referenced Wade Wilson in a few different ways. One of the most notable came when Professor Xavier conducted a psychic probe into Sabretooth’s mind. Receiving quick flashes of various characters and imagery, Deadpool's face was briefly featured, connecting to his and Sabretooth's shared history with the Weapon X program (and Wolverine). Additionally, Xavier at one point used an image of Deadpool while taking on Wolverine.
Additionally, Morph transformed into Deadpool as a means of taunting Wolverine, with all three depictions subtly teasing the dark history between Logan and Wade Wilson. However, it was never actually shown, nor did Deadpool himself ever show up in the actual series. He never spoke nor was his name ever said, in order to comply with the era's stricter television censorship laws.
While he was a newer character at the time, Deadpool has only become part of the mainstream more and more in the years that followed, eventually becoming one of the most popular Marvel characters of all time. As a result, the time may have come for Deadpool to finally make a full debut in the animated X-Men universe.
Nearly 30 Years Later, X-Men '97 Season 2 Needs To Actually Debut Deadpool
Now, X-Men '97 looks as though it might finally feature Deadpool. As seen in the brand-new trailer for X-Men '97 season 2, there's a brief moment where Morph is shown shapeshifting into Deadpool while facing the alien horde known as the Brood, an exciting callback to the original animated series. However, it would be very exciting if this was also teasing the real Deadpool's long-awaited debut.
Marvel · Mutant Profile Which X-Men Character Are You? “Mutation: it is the key to our evolution.”
🐺 Wolverine The Loner
🧠 Professor X The Visionary
🧲 Magneto The Survivor
ACTIVATE CEREBRO →
01
Humans discover your mutant abilities. What do you do?
ADisappear. Go off the grid before anyone can come after me — I don’t owe them an explanation BReach out calmly and try to have a dialogue — fear comes from misunderstanding, and I can help bridge that gap CMake a show of strength — they need to understand that mutants will not be hunted or controlled, ever
NEXT →
02
Anti-mutant protesters surround a school full of young mutants. What’s your first move?
AGet between the kids and the mob. If anyone raises a hand, they answer to me BAddress the crowd telepathically or publicly — show them the children are just scared kids, not threats CEvacuate the children to safety, then make the protesters deeply regret their choices
NEXT →
03
A team of mutants needs a leader for a dangerous mission. What role do you naturally fall into?
AI work alone, but I’ll take point — someone’s gotta make sure nobody gets killed BI coordinate the team, play to each person’s strengths, and keep morale steady CI lead from the front — my vision, my plan, my responsibility if it fails
NEXT →
04
A powerful mutant threatens innocent humans. How do you respond?
APut them down fast — talk later. Innocent people don’t have time for a debate BTry to reach them mentally — understand why they’re doing this and find a peaceful resolution COffer them a place at my side — their power is wasted on chaos when it could serve a greater cause
NEXT →
05
A human politician offers to champion mutant rights — but has a shady past. What do you do?
AGive them a chance — people can change, and this alliance could mean real progress for coexistence BI don’t trust politicians. Watch them closely, and the second they betray us, I’ll be right there CUse them — let them think they’re in charge while I control the narrative from behind the scenes
NEXT →
06
What’s your biggest flaw?
AI push people away — I’d rather be alone than risk losing someone I care about BI’m too idealistic — I keep believing in people even when the evidence says I shouldn’t CMy anger — once I commit to a path, I’ll burn everything down before I admit I was wrong
NEXT →
07
Sentinels are hunting mutants in your city. What’s your move?
AHunt the hunters — tear them apart before they find anyone else BCoordinate an underground network to hide and protect every mutant in the area CSeize control of the Sentinels — turn the weapons of oppression into instruments of liberation
NEXT →
08
What do you believe about coexistence between humans and mutants?
ACoexistence is a fantasy. Humans will always fear what they can’t control — mutants must secure their own future BI don’t care about the big picture — I protect the people I care about, and everyone else can sort themselves out CIt’s possible and worth fighting for — the dream of a world where humans and mutants live in peace is everything
REVEAL MY MUTANT IDENTITY →
Cerebro Scan Complete Your X-Men Identity
🐺
Wolverine (Logan)
“I’m the best there is at what I do. But what I do best isn’t very nice.” You’re the fierce loner who acts first and philosophises later — but beneath that adamantium-plated exterior beats a heart that cares far more than you’d ever admit. You’ve been burned enough times to distrust the world, so you keep people at arm’s length, yet you’d throw yourself into any fight to protect the ones who slip past your defences. You don’t need a cause or a manifesto — you just need someone worth fighting for. Like Logan, your greatest strength isn’t your claws or your healing factor; it’s the stubborn refusal to let the people you love face danger alone.
Fierce Protective Resilient Untamed
🧠
Professor X (Charles Xavier)
“Just because someone stumbles and loses their path, doesn’t mean they’re lost forever.” You’re the visionary who sees the best in everyone — even when the world gives you every reason not to. Your greatest power isn’t telepathy; it’s an unshakeable belief that understanding and compassion can bridge any divide. You lead not through force but through hope, building bridges where others build walls. Some call you naive, but you know that real strength lies in extending a hand to your enemy. Like Charles Xavier, you carry the weight of a dream that most consider impossible, and you refuse to let it die.
Visionary Empathetic Diplomatic Hopeful
🧲
Magneto (Erik Lehnsherr)
“Peace was never an option.” You’re the survivor who learned the hardest lesson life has to offer: the world will not protect you, so you must protect yourself. Your conviction is unbreakable and your patience is terrifying — you’ll wait years to set the right plan in motion. You don’t hate humanity; you simply refuse to let your people be victims ever again. Every action you take, no matter how ruthless, is driven by a profound love for those who share your struggle. Like Erik Lehnsherr, you are both revolutionary and tragic — a leader forged in pain who will bend the world before it bends you.
Resolute Strategic Ruthless Unyielding
↻ PLAY AGAIN
During the production of X-Men '97's first season, Marvel Studios reportedly prohibited Deadpool from being featured, most likely because Ryan Reynolds' live-action version was about to make his MCU debut alongside Hugh Jackman's Wolverine that same year. However, Morph turning into Deadpool at some point in this upcoming season suggests that those restrictions are no longer in place, meaning a full Wade Wilson appearance is very much on the table for the very first time.
Without a doubt, fully bringing Deadpool into the animated X-Men universe would certainly generate a huge amount of excitement for longtime fans of the animated series, as well as newer fans who are just getting into the X-Men franchise through the revival series. At any rate, the opportunity to pay off teases that are nearly 30 years old is very exciting across the board.
X-Men '97 season 2 is set to premiere July 1st on Disney+ from Marvel Studios.
Release Date March 20, 2024
Network Disney+
Directors Jake Castorena, Emi Yonemura, Chase Conley
Writers Charlie Feldman, Anthony Sellitti, Beau DeMayo, JB Ballard
English (US) ·