In less than a year, Marvel Studios Animation has gone from having just one series to having its own panel at San Diego Comic-Con. The 90-minute panel was entirely focused on updating projects that had previously been announced, but that did not mean there was a shortage of exciting news!
I Am Groot
A series of five animated shorts, I Am Groot will stream in its entirety on August 10th. Creator Kristen Lepore was on hand to debut a trailer for the series!
There’s no guarding the galaxy from this mischievous toddler! So get ready as Baby Groot takes center stage in his very own collection of shorts, exploring his glory days growing up—and getting into trouble—among the stars. “I Am Groot,” five original shorts featuring several new and unusual characters, stars everyone’s favorite little tree, Baby Groot, voiced by Vin Diesel, who voices Groot in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise.
Official Disney Press Release
Before heading out, Lepore surprised SDCC by screening one of the episodes, “Groot Takes a Bath” and announcing a second season of the series was in development.
Spider-Man: Freshman Year
No presentation caught audiences by surprise more than Spider-Man: Freshman Year. Originally announced as a canonical prequel to Spider-Man’s MCU adventures, the series seems to have taken a major multiversal detour.
“Spider-Man: Freshman Year” is an animated series that follows Peter Parker on his way to becoming Spider-Man in the MCU, with a journey unlike we’ve ever seen and a style that celebrates the character’s early comic book roots.
Official Disney Press Release
Head writer Jeff Trammell and artist Ryan Meinerding were on hand and revealed a crazy and unexpected cast of supporting characters for the series. Norman Osborn, Doc Ock, Rhino, Unicorn, Chameleon, Scorpion and Tarantula are all set to appear, as well as allies Daredevil, Doctor Strange and friends Nico Minoru and Amadeus Cho! Obviously doesn’t sound like the MCU Spidey we know!
Before heading out, the creators revealed that the show is set to debut in 2024 and that work has already begun on Spider-Man: Sophomore Year.
What If…?
Co-creators Bryan Andrews and AC Bradley were on hand to discuss the second season of the Emmy-nominated series which explored new corners of the Marvel Cinematic Multiverse.
“What If…?” Season 2 continues the journey with The Watcher as our guide through the vast multiverse, introducing brand new and familiar faces throughout the MCU. The animated series questions, revisits, and twists classic Marvel Cinematic moments with an incredible voice cast that includes a host of stars who reprise their iconic roles. Directed by executive producer Bryan Andrews with executive producer AC Bradley as head writer.
Bryan Andrews and AC Bradley talked about the Emmy-nominated series and showed the trailer for Season Two. The audience went wild when, at the end of the presentation, a surprise screening of one episode of the highly anticipated next season was shown, and a third season was announced.
Season 2 will debut in early 2023 and Andrews and Bradley brought not only the trailer but also an episode from the sophomore season with them to San Diego. The duo also revealed that Season 3 is already in the works!
Marvel Zombies
A surprise of a different sort was the revelation that Marvel Zombies will be TV-MA programming when it hits Disney Plus! The series was confirmed to be a continuation of the zombie episode from Season 1 of What If…? and Bryan Andrews, who co-created What If…?, is directing the series.
The animated series “Marvel Zombies” from Marvel Studios reimagines the Marvel Universe as a new generation of heroes battle against an ever-spreading zombie scourge. Directed by executive producer Bryan Andrews and written by executive producer Zeb Wells.
Disney Official Press Release
While no strict timeline was given, it looks like Marvel Zombies will stream in 2024.
X-Men ’97
The animation panel concluded with an update on X-Men ’97, the Marvel Studios-led revival of X-Men: The Animated Series. Brad Winderbaum and head writer Beau DeMayo were on hand to reveal the supporting cast of the show, which features some heavy hitting hereos and villains, including a returning Mister Sinister!
“X-MEN ’97” is an animated series from Marvel Studios that explores new stories in the iconic ’90s timeline of the original series. Beau DeMayo is executive producer and head writer.
Disney Official Press Release
Season 1 was revealed to be headed to Disney Plus in the Fall of 2023 and Season 2 was revealed to be in development!
