Marvel’s acclaimed animated series X-Men ’97 won’t return with its second season until 2026. This unexpectedly long production timeline was revealed by Brad Winderbaum, Marvel Studios’ Head of Streaming, Television, and Animation, during a recent interview with Collider. The news comes as a significant disappointment to the dedicated fanbase that had made the revival series one of Disney+’s biggest hits and last year’s ComicBook Golden Issue Award winner for Best Animated TV Show. The extended gap between seasons means viewers will have to wait approximately two full years to see the resolution of multiple cliffhangers, including the introduction of Apocalypse, the possible resurrection of Gambit, and the formation of new mutant teams teased in X-Men ‘97 Season 1 finale.

“Season 2 of X-Men ’97 is going to be in ’26. We’re working on it now. It’s exciting,” Winderbaum confirmed, delivering the news with enthusiasm that likely won’t be shared by the show’s impatient fanbase. The Marvel Animation head went on to express his personal connection to the project. “That world of the ’90s is just… Honestly, I can’t believe they let me make it. I grew up at Marvel, as you know, clocked a lot of time here, and I feel like I used a lot of currency to revive this thing that I loved watching after school. So, the fact that we get to play in that universe with those actors is honestly why I went into this business in the first place.”