'X-Men '97' creator fired over scandalous internal investigation

Five months after Marvel Studios was fired X-Men '97 “The Last Jedi” writer Bo DeMaio has announced that he will not be getting any rights to the second season of the hit Disney series, which he completed before leaving the company. DeMaio made the announcement on social media, saying it was part of a “disturbing pattern” he had experienced while working at Marvel.

Marvel responded shortly after, in a statement: Hollywood ReporterKennedy gave insight into his dismissal, saying it came after an internal investigation revealed “serious” findings.

“Above, a fan art image of #XMen that I posted on Instagram for gay pride in June. On June 13, #Marvel sent me a letter telling me that they stripped me of my Season 2 credits because of the post,” Di Maio wrote on X Thursday, alongside an illustration of a topless version of himself as the superhero Cyclops.

Di Maio, who spent several years at Marvel working on a long-term draft, code The feature as well as in the TV show Moon Knight“Unfortunately, this is the latest in a pattern of annoying issues I've experienced while working on #XMen97 and #Blade,” he added.

Marvel responded by saying that Di Maio's behavior was the reason for his dismissal and the loss of all credits.

“Mr. Di Maio was terminated in March 2024 following an internal investigation,” a Marvel spokesperson said in a statement. “Given the egregious nature of the findings, we have severed ties with him immediately, and he has no further affiliation with Marvel.”

Sources say that after his exit, a settlement was reached between the two parties regarding the issue of tweeting about the show, which Di Maio continued to do occasionally. In light of the incident, the credit for the second season was removed. While no details have emerged about the reason for the season’s termination or internal reviews, sources say it was related to sexual misconduct.

DeMaio did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

DeMaio was an active social media user during his time at Marvel, sharing X-Men In addition to his shirtless photos, and even running a non-explicit OnlyFans account. All of this led to the release of an LGBTQ magazine. outside To announce itThe Writer and Producer of Marvel's Hot Gay Series You Need to Know“.”

On the surface, the idea that Marvel would strip De Maio of credit over a social media post might seem absurd, with outside observers noting that the gay drawing resembled any number of posts he made while at Marvel. Fired Marvel executive Victoria Alonso retained credit for projects she previously worked on after her exit in 2023. But the revelation of an internal investigation suggests deeper reasons.

Despite the poor media coverage of Di Maio's dismissal, X-Men '97 The series was a huge success with fans and critics, with Marvel Studios earning its first 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating, and Di Maio receiving an Emmy nomination for the episode “Remember Her”. Marvel also announced a second season at D23, while the studio brought in Matthew Chauncey to write the third season, following Di Maio's dismissal.

So far, DiMaio has remained largely silent about his dismissal from Marvel, though in recent days He did Note that he unsuccessfully tried to get a seat at the Emmy Awards from the studio.

“I’ll say more soon but I have to step away from social media to find a safer space to be honest, proud and obsessed,” Di Maio concluded in his first post on X on Thursday. “Stay tuned for more.”

But after the initial publication of this article, he responded to Marvel's statement, writing“The truth will be revealed. After the Disney+ debacle, Marvel wants to mislead people with contract breach allegations through tweets. It’s tragic that it’s come to this, but not surprising. Stay tuned for more.”