Disney Fired X-Men '97 Showrunner Beau DeMayo in 2024 Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Updated
Updated · Vanity Fair · Jul 1
Disney Fired X-Men '97 Showrunner Beau DeMayo in 2024 Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations
3 articles · Updated · Vanity Fair · Jul 1
Summary
March 2024—just 16 days before X-Men ’97 premiered—Disney fired showrunner Beau DeMayo after an internal investigation, later saying it found conduct serious enough to sever ties immediately.
Variety later reported a source said evidence of sexual misconduct was uncovered; DeMayo denies wrongdoing and says Marvel used false allegations to mask a toxic, discriminatory workplace.
X-Men ’97 was a major hit despite the upheaval, drawing 4 million views in its first five days, earning a 99% Rotten Tomatoes score and helping drive renewed interest in the 1992 original.
September 2024 brought DeMayo’s lawsuit seeking relief from a non-disparagement clause he says Marvel coerced him into signing, while Marvel replaced him for season three and kept season two moving toward its July 1 debut.
July 2027 is the current trial target in DeMayo’s still-active California case, as his public profile has shifted from Marvel writer to intermittent adult-content creator with no major new screen projects listed.
Is a showrunner's firing a symptom of deeper turmoil inside Marvel's creative machine?
Can a creator's lawsuit over free speech break a powerful studio's non-disparagement deal?
When an artist's explicit online life clashes with a family brand, who draws the line?
Beau DeMayo’s Firing from Marvel: 2 Years of Legal Dispute, Workplace Allegations, and the Lasting Impact on X-Men '97
Overview
The ongoing legal dispute between screenwriter Beau DeMayo and Marvel/Disney began in September 2024 after DeMayo made unspecified allegations that drew significant media attention. Despite this, neither DeMayo nor his legal counsel revealed specific details, and Disney did not respond to media requests. As of July 2026, the conflict remains unresolved with no public outcome or official statements from either side. This lack of transparency has fueled ongoing speculation and left many questions unanswered, highlighting the persistent and public nature of the dispute between DeMayo and the entertainment giants.