- Despite X-Men '97 adapting her story from Marvel Comics, Cassandra Nova may not be the primary threat in the series.
- X-Men '97 may have already set up the overarching villain of the series.
- X-Men '97's three-part finale could adapt one of Marvel Comics' most intense X-Men storylines.
Marvel Studios Animation's X-Men '97 is set outside the main timeline of the MCU, but may be about to introduce one of Phase 5's most powerful upcoming villains. Emma Corrin's Cassandra Nova will be appearing in Deadpool & Wolverine, posing a major threat to Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine in live-action. However, X-Men '97's adaptation of Marvel Comics' E is for Extinction event, which saw Cassandra Nova orchestrate an attack on the mutant nation of Genosha, suggests she could also have a huge role to play in X-Men '97, though she may not be the series' overarching villain.
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Related Every Death In X-Men '97 Episode 5 The ending of X-Men ’97 episode 5 featured the tragic attack on Genosha by an army of Sentinels, resulting in the deaths of several major X-Men. Cassandra Nova Isn’t X-Men ’97’s Primary Villain 
Cassandra Nova debuted in Marvel Comics in 2001's New X-Men #114, and quickly set plans in motion to use Sentinel robots to enact a genocide on the mutant nation of Genosha. This storyline formed the inspiration for X-Men '97 episode 5, meaning that, while Cassandra Nova didn't actually make an appearance, many have suspected she could be behind the attack in the animated series. However, X-Men '97's head director Jake Castorena suggested to Inverse that audiences shouldn't "get [their] hopes up for Cassandra Nova being a huge villain," but teased another powerful threat that may have already been set up. I wouldn't get my hopes up for Cassandra Nova being a huge villain in our show. But what I will say is, I don't think people will be disappointed with our choices.X-Men ’97 Has Already Teased Bastion As A Powerful Villain Close Several moments in X-Men '97's first five episodes may have teased Marvel Comics' Bastion as the series' actual primary threat. Bastion made his first cameo appearance in 1996's X-Men #52, introduced as the humanoid robot fusion of Master Mold and Nimrod, two Sentinels who birthed Bastion while traveling through the Siege Perilous. Bastion was raised as the human Sebastion Gilberti, but his life soon brought him into contact with anti-mutant groups such as the Friends of Humanity. This creates the perfect opportunity for Bastion to appear in X-Men '97, and, in fact, he might have already made several brief appearances.
Related Exciting X-Men '97 Theory Sets Up A War Between 2 Iconic Marvel Villains X-Men '97 episode 5 appeared to set up a war between the X-Men and a hidden villain, but the mutants may be stuck in the middle of a different battle. Bastion's iconic black-and-pink costume from Marvel Comics is seen in a photograph on Forge's refrigerator in X-Men '97 episode 4, "Motendo/Lifedeath - Part 1." This image suggested that Forge and Bastion have a prior relationship, which could become more important in X-Men '97 episode 6, "Lifedeath - Part 2". Some have also theorized that Bastion may have made an appearance at Magneto and Rogue's inauguration gala in "Remember It," and the fact that Cable suggested "he" is coming veers away from the idea that Cassandra Nova is the series' primary villain, but creates the perfect opportunity for Bastion to debut. What Role Could Bastion Play In X-Men ’97’s Three-Part Finale?
Bastion's biggest Marvel Comics storyline could be hugely important to X-Men '97's record-breaking three-part finale. Marvel Comics' Operation: Zero Tolerance may have inspired the title for X-Men '97's "Tolerance is Extinction", Operation: Zero Tolerance saw Bastion escalate his plans for mutant extermination, as he orchestrated the transformation of humans into Prime Sentinels, humans fitted with cybernetic implants, which targeted mutants to kill. This would be a shocking and harrowing storyline for X-Men '97 to explore, particularly after the intensity of the series' recent episodes, but would mark a strong debut for Bastion and his crusade against X-Men '97's mutant heroes. X-Men '97 has been slowly building up to introducing Bastion as the series' primary antagonist, with Forge's photograph, a potential gala appearance, and Cable's warning that "he" is coming laying the seeds for this powerful villain's debut. X-Men '97 has put a great deal of focus on the Friends of Humanity and the Sentinel robots, dating back to the series' premiere episode, "To Me, My X-Men," but Bastion may not have a direct role until the epic three-part finale. If this turns out to be true, "Tolerance is Extinction" may be the most dramatic ending in the X-Men's animated history.
X-Men '97 AnimationAdventureActionSuperhero X-Men '97 is the direct continuation of the popular 1990s animated series X-Men: The Animated Series. Taking up where the third season left off, Marvel's revival brings back famous mutants such as Wolverine, Storm, Rogue, Gambit, Cyclops, Beast, Magneto, and Nightcrawler, who fight villains like Mr. Sinister, the Sentinels, and the Hellfire Club.Release Date March 20, 2024 Seasons 1 Streaming Service(s) Disney+
