X-Men ’97’s showrunner has been fired a week before its premiere

As a rule, things are never easy for the X-Men — something that seems to apply in real life as well as comic books. In a shocking update from The Hollywood Reporter, Beau DeMayo, creator and showrunner of the highly-anticipated X-Men ’97 animated series on Disney Plus, has been fired a week before the show’s March 20 premiere.

According to THR, DeMayo, who had just finished scripting season 2 of X-Men ’97, was suddenly fired last week, and will no longer participate in the show’s promotion. No reason was given for the termination from either Marvel nor DeMayo’s representatives. Polygon has reached out to Disney for comment, but has not received anything at time of publication.

X-Men ’97 is the biggest release on the Disney Plus calendar this month, a continuation of the Fox Kids runaway hit X-Men: The Animated Series that picked up right where the old show left off after its 76-episode run concluded in September 1997. Despite numerous delays, the series has already been renewed for a second season — and, prior to DeMayo’s firing, a third was reportedly being contemplated.

X-Men ’97 is currently scheduled to premiere its 10-episode first season on Disney Plus March 20.