When Marvel Studios first announced they were reviving the classic Saturday morning cartoon, everyone had the same question. Is the original voice cast coming back? Nostalgia is a powerful drug, but it's also a delicate one. If you change the voices, you break the spell. Honestly, it’s kinda miraculous that they managed to get as many of the 1992 legends back as they did, especially considering how much time has passed since the original X-Men: The Animated Series went off the air in 1997.
The cast of X-Men '97 is a fascinating mix of legacy actors reclaiming their thrones and fresh faces stepping into massive yellow boots.
Ray Chase had the hardest job. Replacing Norm Spencer as Cyclops (Scott Summers) is no small feat. Spencer, who passed away in 2020, was the voice of leadership for a generation of kids. Chase doesn't try to do a cheap impression. Instead, he captures that specific "boy scout with an edge" vibe that makes Scott the tactical heart of the team. It works because it feels familiar without being a parody. Then you have Cal Dodd. At 70+ years old, the man still sounds like he eats cigars for breakfast. Hearing him growl "Bub" as Logan is basically a shot of pure serotonin for anyone who grew up in the nineties.
The Veterans Who Never Left the Mansion
It isn't just a tribute act.
For many of these actors, coming back to the cast of X-Men '97 was a chance to finish stories that were cut short thirty years ago. Lenore Zann is a prime example. Her Rogue is iconic. That thick Southern drawl—the "Sugah"—is as much a part of the character as her white-streaked hair. Zann has been incredibly vocal about her love for Rogue, often engaging with fans at conventions for decades. When you hear her voice in the new episodes, there’s a weight to it. She’s playing a Rogue who has been through the ringer, and that lived-in quality is something you just can’t fake with a younger session actor.
George Buza returned as Beast, bringing that intellectual-yet-brawny energy back to the lab. It’s wild to think he’s been voicing Hank McCoy on and off for over thirty years.
💡 You might also like: Is Steven Weber Leaving Chicago Med? What Really Happened With Dean Archer
Alison Sealy-Smith is back as Storm. This was crucial. Storm’s dialogue in the original series was always "extra." She doesn't just throw a lightning bolt; she gives a Shakespearean monologue to the clouds first. Sealy-Smith understands the assignment. She delivers those lines with the regal authority that makes Ororo Munroe the Goddess of the Elements. If they had hired someone who tried to make it "grounded" or "realistic," the soul of the show would have evaporated.
Then there’s Christopher Britton as Mr. Sinister. He’s still creepy. He still sounds like he’s whispering secrets in a dark hallway. It’s one of the most consistent vocal performances in animation history.
Why Some Voices Had to Change
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Not everyone could return, and some who did return are playing different roles.
- Magneto: Matthew Waterson took over for the late David Hemblen. Magneto is the lead of this series, essentially, and Waterson had to carry the burden of the "Magneto Was Right" philosophy. He nails the gravitas. He sounds like a man who has lived a thousand lives and lost a thousand wars.
- Jean Grey: Jennifer Hale is a voice acting legend. You know her as Female Shepard from Mass Effect or Naomi Hunter from Metal Gear Solid. She replaced Catherine Disher as Jean. While Disher returned to the show, she didn't return to Jean.
- The Disher/Jubilee Shuffle: In a move that honestly makes a lot of sense, Catherine Disher (the original Jean) came back to voice Val Cooper. Meanwhile, Alyson Court, the original voice of Jubilee, opted not to return as the character. She felt that an Asian-American actress should voice the Chinese-American mutant. Holly Chou stepped in, and she perfectly captures that "teenager who is over it" energy while Court still popped up in a different role (Abscissa) to keep the lineage alive.
The Newcomers Stepping Into the Fire
The cast of X-Men '97 had to expand because the world of the X-Men is much bigger now.
A.J. LoCascio took over as Gambit. This was a point of contention for some fans early on because Chris Potter and Tony Daniels had such distinct takes on the Ragin' Cajun. But LoCascio won people over fast. His chemistry with Zann’s Rogue is the emotional anchor of the first season. He manages the transition from "flirty thief" to "tragic hero" with a nuance that the original 90s show—bless its heart—sometimes lacked due to the era's technical constraints.
📖 Related: Is Heroes and Villains Legit? What You Need to Know Before Buying
Isaac Robinson-Smith as Bishop is another standout. Bishop was always a bit of a guest star in the original run, but here he’s a mainstay. Robinson-Smith gives him a more stoic, soldier-like precision.
And we have to mention Ross Marquand. He took over as Professor Charles Xavier. Marquand is famous for his impressions, but here he’s doing a subtle homage to Cedric Smith while making the role his own. He also voices several other characters, proving once again that he’s the Swiss Army Knife of voice acting.
The Full Primary Cast Breakdown
- Cyclops / Scott Summers: Ray Chase
- Jean Grey: Jennifer Hale
- Storm / Ororo Munroe: Alison Sealy-Smith
- Wolverine / Logan: Cal Dodd
- Rogue: Lenore Zann
- Beast / Hank McCoy: George Buza
- Gambit / Remy LeBeau: A.J. LoCascio
- Jubilee / Jubilation Lee: Holly Chou
- Morph: J.P. Karliak
- Bishop / Lucas Bishop: Isaac Robinson-Smith
- Magneto / Erik Lehnsherr: Matthew Waterson
- Nightcrawler / Kurt Wagner: Adrian Hough
- Sunspot / Roberto da Costa: Gui Agustini
The Morph Controversy and J.P. Karliak
Morph was always the wild card. In the 90s, he was basically a plot device to show that "anybody can die" (even if he didn't stay dead). In '97, Morph is non-binary, which led to a predictable amount of internet noise. But J.P. Karliak’s performance is so charming that it largely silenced the critics. Karliak brings a manic, Robin Williams-esque energy to the role, constantly shifting voices and personas. It’s a technical masterclass in voice acting. Morph provides the levity the show desperately needs when things get dark—and they get really dark in episodes like "Remember It."
Production Secrets and the Voice Direction
Voice director Meredith Layne had a massive mountain to climb. She had to bridge the gap between 1992 and 2024. The original series was recorded in Canada with a very specific union pool. The new series is a high-budget Disney production.
Usually, when shows get revived, the new producers want to "modernize" everything. They want it to sound like a Marvel movie. But the cast of X-Men '97 was directed to keep that heightened, slightly operatic tone of the original Saturday morning cartoons. If the actors talked like normal people at a Starbucks, it wouldn't feel like X-Men. They have to yell names of attacks. They have to declare their intentions to the heavens. Layne managed to keep that "comic book" flavor while allowing the actors to find more emotional depth in the quiet moments.
👉 See also: Jack Blocker American Idol Journey: What Most People Get Wrong
The recording sessions were often done remotely, which is the norm now, but the chemistry doesn't suffer. You’d think Cal Dodd and Lenore Zann were in the same booth based on their timing. That’s the benefit of having actors who have known these characters for three decades. They aren't just reading lines; they’re inhabiting icons.
How to Follow the Cast Further
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of these performers, there are a few things you should do immediately.
First, follow Lenore Zann and Cal Dodd on social media. They are the biggest cheerleaders for the show and frequently share behind-the-scenes tidbits. Zann, in particular, often discusses the political and social themes of the X-Men, reflecting her own background in Canadian politics.
Second, check out the original 1992 series on Disney+ and compare the performances. You’ll notice that while the voices have aged, the intent hasn't. It’s a rare example of a legacy project that respects the source material without being shackled by it.
Finally, keep an eye out for casting announcements for Season 2. We already know that more mutants are coming, which means more legendary voice actors will likely join the fray. The inclusion of characters like Cable (voiced by Chris Potter, the original Gambit) shows that the producers are committed to keeping the "family" together in whatever way possible.
To get the most out of the experience, watch the "Making of" specials on Disney+. They show the physical effort Cal Dodd puts into his Wolverine grunts, and it's genuinely impressive. You can also look for the "X-Men '97" panel recordings from recent fan conventions where the cast discusses the specific vocal techniques they used to bridge the 30-year gap. Understanding the work behind the voice makes the emotional beats of the show hit much harder.