MCU's Highest-Rated Show on Rotten Tomatoes Proves It's Time for James Gunn to Revive the DCAU
Marvel’s X-Men 97 is a breakout hit, reviving the franchise with sharp, character-driven arcs that have fans buzzing. James Gunn weighed in on Threads, applauding its distinct vision even as fans push for a Justice League Unlimited revival.
Marvel just reminded everyone how to bring a classic back from the dead with X-Men '97, and yes, even James Gunn has noticed. If he ever decides to take a swing at reviving the DC Animated Universe, there are some useful takeaways here — and a couple of potholes to avoid.
Gunn on X-Men '97: the vibe he likes
'X-Men '97 is fun because it’s unique and not desperately trying to follow the trends of everything around it. So I’d rather just keep doing that.'
That was Gunn on Threads when someone asked about a Justice League Unlimited revival. Hard to argue with the core point: X-Men '97 works because it isn’t chasing everything else.
Why X-Men '97 hits so hard
The show is a straight-up continuation of the original X-Men: The Animated Series (1992–1997), same continuity, no hand-holding. It drops you back in on Disney+ and moves — no clunky recap, just ten lean episodes built around character choices and consequences. The result: a sky-high 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and a very loud 'this is how you do a revival' message.
Season 1 was steered by showrunner/head writer Beau DeMayo, with Jake Castorena and a rotating crew behind the camera on individual episodes. That single, consistent creative voice matters. Nerdy process note, but it shows on screen.
The lineup sticks to the icons — Cyclops, Wolverine, Jean Grey, Storm, Rogue, Gambit, Jubilee, Beast, Morph — with Magneto and Professor X in the mix. And the voice bench is stacked: Ray Chase (Cyclops), Cal Dodd (Wolverine), Jennifer Hale (Jean), Alison Sealy-Smith (Storm), Lenore Zann (Rogue), A.J. LoCascio (Gambit), Holly Chou (Jubilee), George Buza (Beast), J.P. Karliak (Morph), Matthew Waterson (Magneto), and Ross Marquand (Professor X).
What Gunn could borrow (and what he shouldn’t)
Gunn already shares one big X-Men '97 trait: he tends to be the main writer and/or director on his projects. That kind of authorship is what kept '97 focused instead of trend-chasing. If he ever tackles a DCAU revival, that same clarity would go a long way.
Another lesson: keep it tight. '97 doesn’t meander, and it doesn’t hide behind a joke every 30 seconds. I like Peacemaker, but it definitely overdosed on gags at times. A DCAU comeback would need a firmer, moodier tone. Gunn can do grim and empathetic — remember, he produced Brightburn — without losing the character stuff.
Creature Commandos says he’s got the range
Creature Commandos is Gunn proving he can weave an ensemble of messy antiheroes into stories that actually land. The Amanda Waller-recruited crew gets pathos and punch, and yes, it ties into Gunn’s larger DCU. If he were to revive a DCAU-era show, he wouldn’t need to chain it to a master continuity — but it’s nice to know he can connect dots without losing the plot.
The dream: turn the lights back on
I’d happily clear my calendar for fresh seasons of the giants, specifically:
- Batman: The Animated Series
- Justice League Unlimited
- Superman: The Animated Series
- Batman Beyond
That whole mid-90s/early-2000s aesthetic still hits — angular silhouettes, noir shadows, orchestral stabs — and there’s real appetite for it. With Marvel wobbling lately, DC has an opening to make a statement in animation.
Where Gunn actually seems headed
Right now, his slate leans new rather than revival. On the animation side, there are fresh titles like DC Super Powers, Starfire, and My Adventures with Green Lantern — projects that are separate from the old DCAU continuity. That’s not a knock; it’s just a different mission. But if he ever does circle back to the classics, the X-Men '97 playbook is sitting right there: direct sequel, one strong creative voice, ten episodes of purposeful storytelling, minimal trend-following.
Quick watch notes
X-Men '97 is streaming on Disney+ in the U.S.
Creature Commandos is streaming on HBO Max in the U.S.
Would you want Gunn to bring the DCAU back, or should he keep building out the new stuff?