Marvel reportedly cut ties with X-Men ’97 creator over “egregious” investigation findings

Eleni Thomas
X-Men '97 team

Marvel speaks out about the recent firing of X-Men ’97 creator Beau DeMayo and claims he was let go after “egregious” internal investigation findings.

Despite the success of Marvel’s X-Men ‘97 animated series, the behind-the-scenes news and details regarding the firing of the show’s creator, Beau DeMayo, have become a significant talking point.

A week before the, Marvel revealed they had parted ways with DeMayo. His company email was deactivated immediately, and Marvel notified the cast and crew of his firing.

Since being released, DeMayo has been largely silent, deactivating his Instagram and being far less active across all social media. 

However, the mystery has resurfaced again, with DeMayo taking to X to reveal that “Marvel-Disney has not reached out to arrange my attendance to the Emmys for the show I created.”

Just days after this statement, the X-Men ’97 creator later claimed on X that he was “stripped” of his season 2 credits for the series following a “fan art [he] posted on Instagram for Gay Pride in June.”

“Sadly, this is the latest in a troubling pattern I suffered through while working on X-Men 97’ and Blade,” wrote DeMayo.

In the same X thread, the X-Men ’97 creator promised that he has “more to say soon” but that he will be taking “a step back from social media to find a safer space for [him] to be out, proud, and nerdy.”

Marvel quickly hit back against the claims that his lack of credits for season 2 of X-Men ’97 was due to the artwork he posted for Gay Pride, instead claiming that his firing was over “egregious” findings from an internal investigation.

“Mr. DeMayo was terminated in March 2024 following an internal investigation,” a Marvel spokesperson said in an official statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

“Given the egregious nature of the findings, we severed ties with him immediately, and he has no further affiliation with Marvel,” the statement added.

DeMayo has since hit back against Marvel’s statement in another X update, which reads as the following:

“This is their Disney-Marvel’s usual playbook. Legal letters as well as other items to prove their long-standing pattern to follow. It’s about finding a safe outlet. Thanks for your faith and patience.”

Jeff Sneider alleges new information on Beau DeMayo firing

Noted insider Jeff Sneider has revealed additional details about the DeMayo termination and what led to it.

Sneider revealed on his website The Insneider that he received multiple tips following the very public DeMayo/Marvel dust-up on August 15.

According to Sneider, DeMayo’s termination was related to nude photos he sent to young male staffers. The photos were reportedly of himself in “hero poses” to use as “inspiration” for X-Men ’97.

There were also additional claims of DeMayo being physically and emotionally abusive towards staffers. These would be the latest claims of this nature levied against DeMayo after reports of similar behavior while working on The Witcher.

Sneider reached out to Marvel and DeMayo for comment, but had no response. DeMayo has not posted on social media since his rebuttal of Marvel’s response.

We’ll be sure to keep you updated as the story continues to develop.