Marvel Studios Responds To Allegations From "X-Men '97" Creator

In the midst of a high-profile dispute between X-Men ‘97 creator Beau DeMayo, Marvel Studios has quickly responded to claims made by DeMayo with a statement issued to The Hollywood Reporter.

UPDATE 8/16/2024 3:30 PM EDT:

DeMayo’s attorney has issued a statement in response to Disney’s original response that alleges Disney and Marvel fired the X-Men ‘97 creator not because of his social media posts, but because of “egregious” findings after an internal investigation was launched, with sources telling The Hollywood Reporter it involved sexual misconduct, though there was no official reason given in the statement.
Now, DeMayo’s attorney is saying that this is part of Disney’s playbook which is “always the same,” accusing Disney of “secretly attempting to plant illegal and unconscionable items in contracts that silence the truth.”
Bryan Freedman of Freedman Taitelman + Cooley issued the statement to Variety, and has previously represented a number of high-profile clients over the years, including Megyn Kelly, the Michael Jackson estate, and former host of The Bachelor, Chris Harrison.
The full statement reads: “Having much experience with Disney, the playbook is always the same. Family friendly on the outside, but secretly attempting to plant illegal unconscionable items in contracts that silence the truth and stop the employee/customer from asserting basic constitutional rights. As we will explain through detailed examples which we will roll out in detail one by one, Disney’s model is very clear and a repetitive illegal pattern. Once it gets challenged or exposed, the gaslighting and redirection of the blame toward anyone willing to tell the truth starts through an international well oiled publicity machine. The problem for Disney is that when they go up against someone who has concrete evidence of this happening over 100 times, many of which have led to them settling hundreds of cases if not thousands to try and continue to control critics, employees and even lawyers who sue them. The problem for them is that I have the evidence and clients willing to be truthful and they know it. These are actually facts not argument or conjecture. Over the next few months, with the brave help of those who have been illegally silenced, retaliated for simply telling the truth and then destroyed for it, one by one this bullying and illegal conduct will be exposed to the government. Beau DeMayo wants nothing from Marvel/Disney except the truth. He will bravely tell the truth. So will I. Stand by.”

Originally Reported:

Earlier this year, Marvel Studios fired Beau DeMayo, creator of the hit series, X-Men ‘97, for “mysterious reasons” with DeMayo revealing that he will allegedly not be credited on the second season of the series, which was teased at last weekend’s D23 Event.
While DeMayo took to social media, accusing that he was fired in response to a Gay Pride post featuring X-Men fan art, adding that it was only “the latest in a troubling pattern” he endured while working at Marvel. The studio quickly replied, issuing a statement to The Hollywood Reporter that said: “Mr. DeMayo was terminated in March 2024 following an internal investigation. Given the egregious nature of the findings, we severed ties with him immediately, and he has no further affiliation with Marvel.”
No specific details were given regarding the “egregious” findings, or the cause of termination, but reports suggest that it involved sexual misconduct.
DeMayo was a frequent user of social media, so reports point out that Marvel terminating him over one post that was similar to many others he had posted in the past, including ones that share X-Men tidbits and even a non-explicit OnlyFans account, would stretch credulity.
DeMayo has been mostly quiet on social media about the firing until recently, when he also noted that he had tried and failed to get a seat at the Emmys from the studio. X-Men ‘97 is nominated for the episode “Remember It.”
Marvel has reportedly tapped Matthew Chauncey to write season three as a result of the firing.
Another social media post came from DeMayo after the initial publication of The Hollywood Reporter article, saying “The truth will be revealed. After their Disney+ disaster, Marvel wants to mislead with alleged contract breaches over tweets. It’s tragic it’s come to this but unsurprising. Stay tuned.”