The conversation surrounding upcoming Disney Plus animated series X-Men ’97 has heated up recently, but in a way that no one either working on the show or eagerly anticipating it would’ve wanted. Following unconfirmed casting reports concerning the character of Sunspot, the comic’s hero typically portrayed as being of Afro Brazilian ethnicity, the show is being hit with accusations of “whitewashing.”
Unfortunately, those incensed by this casting news seem to be exclusively directing their ire at X-Men ’97 showrunner Beau DeMayo, with a glimpse at his Twitter account revealing the countless accusations and pointed responses coming his way. Within 24 hours of the situation blowing up, DeMayo has since posted a lengthy tweet in which he makes clear that, after a mentally and emotionally taxing day, he will be “going dark” online in the face of “the sheer amount of vitriol” he’s had to deal with.
While acknowledging those who “respectfully” broached the issue with him, promising that they “have been heard,” DeMayo called out those who have “attacked [his] body, lifestyle, intelligence, or who call [him] a race traitor.” The producer — who first contributed to a Marvel Studios series with 2022’s Moon Knight — went on to stress that this sort of behavior “functions against the core of elevating and inspiring new creators.”
For additional context, the rumors that sparked this intense backlash claimed that Caucasian Brazilian actor Gui Agustini has been hired for the role of Sunspot. In many ways, then, this can be seen as an inversion of the situation surrounding Disney’s The Little Mermaid facing hate for recasting Ariel with a Black woman. It’s ironic, and extremely dispiriting, that those attacking DeMayo over this would likely be appalled at the abuse directed at Bailey and yet have targeted the producer with the same level of virtriol.
There’s certainly a big conversation to be had here, but clearly this is not the way it should be held.
X-Men ’97 is officially still coming to Disney Plus in late 2023, but recent indicators suggest it’s more likely streaming in January 2024.