Lecture Notes: Marvel Firing Bo Deo - X-Men 97

Introduction

• Presenter: Eric Voss from New Rock Stars.
• Discussion of Marvel's firing of Bo Deo, head writer of X-Men 97.
• Overview of the development and controversy surrounding the series.

Background on X-Men 97

• Development Start: 2019, aimed to revive the original animated series (1992-1997).
• Bo Deo's Involvement:
  • Joined in November 2020 after working on Moon Knight and The Witcher.
  • Announced as showrunner in November 2021.
  • Character art unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2022.

Timeline of Events

• February 15, 2024: Marvel released the trailer for X-Men 97, announced March 20, 2024, as the release date.
• March 12, 2024: Hollywood Reporter reported Bo Deo was fired shortly before the series premiere.
  • Speculation around his social media activity and claims of being difficult to work with.
• March 20, 2024: X-Men 97 premiered, received positive fan reception.
• Post-Premiere Silence: No updates from Marvel or Deo for months.
  • Deo continued to tweet behind-the-scenes insights but did not address his firing.

Emmy Nomination and Controversies

• July 17, 2024: X-Men 97 nominated for an Emmy; Bo Deo listed as producer.
• D23 2024: Bo Deo attended without an official invitation from Marvel for the Emmys.
• August 12, 2024: Deo tweeted about not being invited to the Emmys, expressing disappointment.
• August 15, 2024: Deo claims he was stripped of writing credits due to a social media post during Pride Month.
  • Post involved fan art depicting him as a shirtless Cyclops.

Official Statements and Allegations

• Marvel's Statement (August 15, 2024):
  • Stated Deo's termination followed an internal investigation into "egregious" behavior.
  • Allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced.
• Deo's Response: Claimed misleading information and stated, "the truth will be revealed."
• Attorney's Statement: Accused Disney of gaslighting and hinted at illegal contract items.

Allegations of Misconduct

• Details from Jeff Snider's Report: Allegations included:
  • Sending nude photos to young male staffers.
  • Groping an assistant and emotionally/physically abusive behavior.
• Context of previous controversies involving Bo Deo in other productions.

Analysis of the Situation

• Implications of Social Media: The role of Twitter in amplifying conflicts.
• Comparison with Previous Work: Similar issues arose during Deo's time on The Witcher.
• Creative Contributions: Acknowledgment that X-Men 97 was a collaborative effort, not solely Deo's work.

Conclusion

• Caution in Reporting: Importance of verified sources and context in social media reporting.
• Apologies: Presenter expresses regret for any harm caused to individuals involved in X-Men 97.
• Final Thoughts: Ongoing nature of the story; need for respectful discourse around it.