X-Men ’97’s joke about costumes has fans loving the reference, and it even calls back to another similar dig made in the 2000 live-action movie.
Being the throwback it is, it would be surprising if X-Men ’97 didn’t include any references to previous mutant media. The animated series (alongside Hugh Jackman’s yellow-and-blue-clad return in the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine movie), has brought new life to the franchise, and is now closer than ever to its original comic book form.
The most recent fan obsession comes from a very tongue-in-cheek reference, and once again, it all ties back to costumes. In one scene in between Cable and Cyclops in the Disney+ series, the former asks Cyclops: “Am I going to war or a circus?” when being handed the iconic X-Men costume. In response, Cyclops replies: “What did you expect? Black leather?”
The joke appears at the end of the latest X-Men ’97 trailer, which you can see for yourself below:
This is clearly a dig at the 2000s X-Men movies, wherein the heroes ditched their brightly colored garb and opted for slick black leather suits instead. Obviously this was a creative decision at the time, but it would go on to define a new era for the X-Men: one that was decidedly “edgy.”
Fans have been quick to jump on the animated reference, loving the dig towards the live-action movies.
“Get them again for me,” said one X user. Another added, “Okay, that’s actually a phenomenal bit,” while another wrote: “Perfect reference here.”
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Esports, Gaming and more.
“Not really a dig, though I do like anything that rejects how much Singer seemed disgusted at the thought of including anything in his X-Men films that visually resembles the comics or cartoon because ‘this need to be EDGY’,” said another user.
This reference actually has multiple layers, as the subject of the X-Men’s costumes has been joked about previously. In fact, in the 2000 X-Men live-action film, a similar joke is made — this time, poking fun at the retro look.
In it, Wolverine asks Cyclops: “You actually go outside in these things?” to which the other replies: “What would you prefer, Yellow spandex?” Oh, how the tables have turned.
As one user wrote: “That movie poking fun at the bright color spandex suits and this making fun of the black leather is one of my favorite things.”
For more, check out all the best TV shows to watch on streaming, and all the new movies out this month.
