The creator of “X-Men ‘97” was “stripped” of his credits on the second season of the animated series after an internal investigation turned up “egregious” findings, Marvel Studios has said.
Marvel released a statement on Thursday, August 15, just hours after the writer, Beau DeMayo, took to social media and alleged the company “stripped” him of his Season 2 credits because he posted fan art depicting him as the X-Men character Cyclops. In the sketch, DeMayo is shirtless and wears short trunks.
The comic conglomerate disputed DeMayo’s characterization of events.
“Mr. DeMayo was terminated in March 2024 following an internal investigation,” a Marvel spokesperson said in a statement given 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.”
Sources also told THR that after Marvel and DeMayo parted ways, they reached an agreement “over the issue of tweeting about the show.” DeMayo frequently tweeted about the series, a “breach” that insiders claimed was a key reason for his credit on the second season of “X-Men ‘97” being removed.
The sources claimed that Marvel’s internal investigation centered around alleged sexual misconduct on DeMayo’s part.
Not long after Marvel spoke up, DeMayo fired back. “The truth will be revealed,” he wrote on X.
“After their Disney Plus disaster, Marvel wants to mislead with alleged contract breaches over tweets.”
“It’s tragic it’s come to this but unsurprising,” he added. “Stay tuned.”
In a separate follow up post on X, he suggested he might be taking legal action.
“This is their Disney-Marvel’s usual playbook,” he said. “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.”
DeMayo’s initial comments on his exit from Marvel, began by him saying he felt a need to “speak up.”
“Firstly, I’m so grateful to have worked on #XMen97, collaborating with some amazingly talented folks,” DeMayo wrote on X. “Creating this revival was a dream come true and the support fans have shown is so touching. However, I felt it pressing for me to speak up in the wake of leaving the show.”
When discussing the fan art that he claimed he was fired for posting, the writer seemed to allege homophobia on Marvel’s part.
“Above is #XMen fan-art I posted on Instagram for Gay Pride in June,” he said on X alongside a screenshot of the June 4 post. “On June 13, #Marvel sent a letter notifying me that they’d stripped my Season 2 credits due to the post.”
He continued, “Sadly, this is the latest in a troubling pattern I suffered through while on working on #XMen97 and #Blade.”
“I’ll have more to say soon but must take a step back from social media to find a safer space for me to be out, proud and nerdy,” he added. “Stay tuned.”
DeMayo was employed by Marvel for several years. In addition to “X-Men ‘97,” he worked on a new in-the-works “Blade” movie and the Disney+ series, “Moon Knight.”
The Post has reached out to Marvel and DeMayo for comment.
Credit: Source link
