The second season of X-Men '97 delivered a conclusion filled with surprising twists and emotionally devastating moments, capping off its exploration of the Apocalypse storyline. Voice actors Ross Marquand (Professor X, Apocalypse), Lenore Zann (Rogue), and Adrian Hough (Nightcrawler) recently shared their insights into four pivotal moments from the season's finale.
Professor X's Philosophical Standoff
The season finale saw a confrontation between Professor X and Apocalypse that was thousands of years in the making. This showdown echoed earlier events where Apocalypse declared that Professor X's compassion for his students would ultimately be his downfall. Marquand explained that Apocalypse's perspective highlights a core tenet of Professor X's ethos, stating, "Your Achilles heel has always been your love for your students and your willingness to put others before yourself." Apocalypse argues that Professor X's belief in saving the world through empathy is fundamentally flawed.
Crafting the Voices of Conflict
Marquand detailed the challenge of voicing both Professor X and Apocalypse, especially during their direct confrontations. Initially, he attempted to perform both voices in rapid succession, but found it to be a linguistic and mental hurdle. He ultimately separated the performances to fully embody each character's distinct energy and malice. For Apocalypse's voice, Marquand drew inspiration from the original voice actor John Colicos, infused elements of Jesse Ventura's speech patterns, and added a touch of the industrial sound found in bands like Nine-Inch Nails and Skinny Puppy.
Rogue and Gambit's Reunion
The finale also brought a significant reunion for Rogue and Gambit. After a tumultuous season that saw Rogue briefly align with Magneto and Gambit tragically perish in the Genosha attack, the two finally found their way back to each other. Lenore Zann, who voices Rogue, expressed that while the pairing with Magneto was surprising, she understood its narrative purpose. "If everything just was all simple and Rogue and Remy just got together and they got married and they could touch and everything, it would be boring," Zann remarked. She added that Rogue ultimately realizes Remy is her soulmate, and their connection transcends the physical.
Nightcrawler's Ultimate Sacrifice
Adrian Hough, the voice of Nightcrawler, reflected on the character's significant role in the season's conclusion. Nightcrawler, known for his spiritual and philosophical depth, made a profound sacrifice to ensure Apocalypse's defeat. He made a deal with a Celestial, offering his own life to save the X-Men and allow Rogue and Gambit to be together. Hough acknowledged the gravity of the moment, stating, "Oh, my character's going to make this ultimate sacrifice and go into the void?" While death is often not permanent for X-Men characters, Hough remained uncertain about Nightcrawler's potential return, emphasizing that such decisions lie with the writers and directors.
