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‘X-Men ’97’: The Morph backlash, explained

X-Men ‘97 is the latest release in the history of Marvel fandom to receive a somewhat depressing backlash, this time surrounding the shapeshifter, Morph, voiced by JP Karliak.

Morph appeared in the original iteration of the series, X-Men: The Animated Series,so what is it about the character that has inspired such ire?

Well, his actor Karliak identifies as gender-queer and is one of several people in the production to refer to Morph as non-binary. Before the showrunner, Beau DeMayo, was released from the production, he also mentioned that Morph did not identify as cis-het. The current run of X-Men has been accused of being “too woke,” which is largely ironic for those who understand the point of the comic.

Morph in X-Men ’97 is a reflection of the times

wolverine morph x-men '97Photo via Disney Plus

Morph has had a tragic past in the history of X-Men. The shapeshifter was just one of Mr. Sinister’s many victims, who suffered mental conditioning and was forced to turn against the X-Men. Morph is a fully nuanced character, who had a long life in Marvel canon. And to that effect, the character has been updated to fix a modern context.

Morph can transform into any being, regardless of gender. This would naturally lead to discussions of having a fluid gender, which is represented in X-Men ‘97. But no matter how much sense it makes that this character would identify in such a way, some fans resist both change and inclusion. Even so, Karliak didn’t hold it against the fandom for these comments. When speaking to CBR, they explained their thought process behind the reaction.

“I’m a queer activist. I run a nonprofit that advocates for queer representation. I also co-founded a voter registration organization. I know what’s going on in the world, especially politically, so no, it didn’t surprise me at all. [laughs] I think what I appreciated was how much counter-backlash there was, with people like ‘Have you watched the X-Men? Are you familiar with why they were created and what they’re about? Did you forget that?’ That was reassuring.”

X-Men has always been a metaphor for social issues of the day. On the whole, genetic mutation is a stand-in for all kinds of prejudice. Racism and homophobia are two of the big conversations that the comic has inspired. And it shows the characters persevering against hateful rhetoric while still learning to love humanity. It is gracious for Karliak to bear no ill will against the fans, but it makes one wonder if these fans read the comic at all.

Morph is famously not the only character to bend the rules of convention. Fellow shape-shifter, Mystique, has long been an LGBTQ+ character in Marvel, but in recent canon, has a fluid relationship with gender. In X-Men Blue: Origins, Nightcrawler’s birth is retconned to present this. Though it was largely understood that Mystique was Nightcrawler’s mother, the story takes a different turn. During the shapeshifter’s time with Baron Christian Wagner, she instead conceives Nightcrawler with her long-time lover, Destiny, after transforming into a man.

This revelation isn’t new, either. Gender fluidity has been in the X-Men conversation for so long that writer Chris Claremont had considered attempting such a storyline, (via CBR). But as it was the ‘80s, he decided against it, knowing the comic wouldn’t pass the Comics Code. Four decades later, however, Nightcrawler’s origin is widely accepted. This isn’t a television show changing previously established events to appeal to a certain audience. This has always been the intent of X-Men. By creating a comic that discusses hatred for a group of people just for being born different, X-Men quite purposefully brings up these hot-button topics.

Magneto’s moral center doesn’t exist without these conversations. As a survivor of the Holocaust, he knows firsthand what it’s like to experience prejudice and attempted genocide because he is different from those in power. If the comics and television series aren’t discussing these issues, then what’s the point of it? The reason that these stories keep getting told is to bring these conversations into a modern context. While representation might change, the need for art to bring about these issues does not. X-Men will always be relevant, whether it takes place in the ‘90s or current day.

By: Carolyn Jenkins
Title: ‘X-Men ’97’: The Morph backlash, explained
Sourced From: wegotthiscovered.com/tv/x-men-97-the-morph-backlash-explained/
Published Date: Tue, 02 Apr 2024 12:02:23 +0000

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Aditi Rao Hydari Opens Up on Heeramandi Viral Walk

Aditi Rao Hydari Heeramandi walkAditi Rao Hydari (Photo Credit: Netflix)

Aditi Rao Hydari has recently captured the internet’s attention with her mesmerizing ‘gajagamini walk’ from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Netflix series, Heeramandi. The actor’s graceful performance in the song ‘Saiyaan Hatto Jaao’ has received widespread acclaim, prompting her to express gratitude towards her fans for their love and praise.

How did Aditi Rao Hydari create her viral walk in Heeramandi?

Aditi Rao Hydari recently shared how she feels deeply moved by the positive response to her performance. In a recent interview, she shared her feelings about the unexpected yet heartwarming reaction from the audience. “I am thanking everybody. That walk, just that little tukda from thumri, it is all over the internet. I really didn’t expect that and Sanjay sir did say, ‘Ye chaal bahut important hai (This walk is very important),’” Aditi said. She further reflected on the effort and dedication that went into perfecting the walk, which has now become iconic.

The Heeramandi actor provided a glimpse into the meticulous process behind the creation of the song, highlighting Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s deep involvement in every detail. The dance choreographer was Kruti Mahesh. Despite this, Bhansali engrossed himself in every aspect of the song’s choreography.

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A post shared by Netflix India (@netflix_in)

“Kruti Mahesh was there choreographing, but he was completely involved in every detail of the choreography. He was very particular about this walk and how it should happen. How will the dupatta fall, how will the waist move. Exactly when the ‘chan’ sound will be heard… it was quite incredible,” Aditi elaborated. This attention to detail is a hallmark of Bhansali’s work, ensuring that every movement, gesture, and nuance contributes to the overall impact of the scene.

For those unaware, Netflix recently released much-awaited, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar on May 1, 2024. Since then, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s OTT debut has garnered widespread acclaim for its grandeur, stellar performances, and storyline. It is currently available to stream on Netflix.

The post Aditi Rao Hydari Opens Up on Heeramandi Viral Walk appeared first on ComingSoon.net – Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.

By: Devanshi Basu
Title: Aditi Rao Hydari Opens Up on Heeramandi Viral Walk
Sourced From: www.comingsoon.net/indian/news/1719301-aditi-rao-hydari-opens-up-on-heeramandi-viral-walk
Published Date: Wed, 15 May 2024 11:19:44 +0000

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‘X-Men ’97’ season finale ending and post-credits scene, explained

Warning: This article contains full spoilers for X-Men ’97 episode 10.

There goes, X-Men ’97 season 1 — easily one of the finest stories Marvel Studios has ever told. Rarely has the studio behind the MCU delivered something both so authentic to its source material and celebratory of these characters and the universe they inhabit.

The bad news? This run of 10 terrific episodes, uncanny in how astonishing they were (see what I did there?), has now come to a close. The good news? This definitely isn’t the end of the road as a second season is on the way. As promised by the finale’s open-ended conclusion and, of course, a post-credits scene teasing what’s coming next.

So what happens in the last scenes of X-Men ’97‘s finale and what does it all mean?

Where are the X-Men?

Jean Grey and Cyclops in X-Men 97 finaleScreenshot via Marvel Animation/Disney Plus

“Tolerance is Extinction, Part 3” picks up right where we left off, with the X-Men trying to stop Magneto and Bastion’s competing plans to end life on Earth.

After the X-Men succeed in destroying Bastion’s Asteroid M, before it collides with the planet, the team are missing and presumed dead in the explosion. Forge searches for months for any trace of them — specifically, Storm — but to no avail. Finally, Bishop visits him and reveals the truth: someone, or something, saved the X-Men by flinging them somewhere (or somewhen) else in time. Bishop recruits Forge to help track the time-displaced X-Men down.

In 3000 BC Egypt, Rogue, Nightcrawler, Beast, Magneto, and Professor X fight off some ancient Egyptian guards and are aided by a mysterious masked figure. Once they fight is over, the gang thank the stranger and ask his name. “My name is En Sabah Nur,” he responds. That’s right, the X-Men have stumbled upon the younger version of their nemesis, Apocalypse!

Meanwhile, Jean Grey and Cyclops have been sent into the far-future, finding themselves in a barren wasteland in the year 3960 AD. They are approached by an elder wise woman who calls herself Mother Askani, leader of the Clan Askani. A boy then emerges from the Clan Askani’s tent and warns the rest that these two newcomers do not mean them harm. The young boy is extremely familiar-looking, what with his distinctive red hair. His name is Nathan — aka a young Cable, Scott and Jean/Madelyne’s son!

Is Apocalypse the big bad of X-Men ’97 season 2?

En Sabah Nur/Young Apocalypse in X-Men 97Screenshot via Marvel Animation/Disney Plus

In true Marvel Studios style, the X-Men ’97 finale then concludes with a post-credits scene. The action returns to the ruins of Genosha in the present-day, where a shadowy figure stalks through the devastation caused by Bastion back in episode 5.

“So much pain, my children,” the figure booms, before retrieving a Queen of Hearts card from the rubble. “So much death…” As a shot of those distinctive blue lips makes clear, this is the grown-up Apocalypse, who seems all set to be the big bad of X-Men ’97 season 2. Even if we didn’t know we were getting one already, the “TO BE CONTINUED…” card at the episode’s end confirms it.

All things considered, it looks like we’re in for a deep-dive into Apocalypse’s character next time around, as the X-Men get to know his origins in the past while he cooks up some evil scheme in the present. The card he finds is clearly Gambit’s, so it’s very likely he’ll resurrect Remy and turn him into one of his Four Horsemen. Gambit alive again? Yay! Gambit turned evil? No way!

With any luck, X-Men ’97 season 2 will release sometime in 2025. For the meantime, all 10 episodes of season 1 can be streamed on Disney Plus.

By: Christian Bone
Title: ‘X-Men ’97’ season finale ending and post-credits scene, explained
Sourced From: wegotthiscovered.com/marvel/x-men-97-season-finale-ending-and-post-credits-scene-explained/
Published Date: Wed, 15 May 2024 10:58:02 +0000

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Brats Streaming Release Date: When Is It Coming Out on Hulu?

Brats Streaming Release Date: When Is It Coming Out on Hulu?Image Credits: Hulu

The Brats Hulu release date is right around the corner, and viewers are wondering when they can start streaming the documentary.

Brats is an upcoming documentary film written and directed by Andrew McCarthy. The film explores “The Brat Pack,” a group of talented young actors who rose to fame in the 1980s through their roles in iconic teenage coming-of-age movies. Here’s when the documentary is coming out on Hulu.

When is the Brats Hulu release date?

The Brats Hulu release date is Thursday, June 13, 2024.

According to Deadline, the documentary focuses on influential films of the 1980s that starred teen icons. Director McCarthy reunites with former members of the group, providing viewers insights into their experiences as part of the Brat Pack. Additionally, the film includes a conversation with writer David Blum, who first coined the Brat Pack in the cover story of New York Magazine.

The documentary is executive produced by Brian Gersh, Paul Gertz, Brian Liebman, Andrew McCarthy, Dan O’Meara, Tom Quinn, Victoria Thompson, and Kent Wingerak. Evans Brown and Adrian Buitenhuis are the cinematographers while Tony Kent serves as the editor.

Brats features the appearances of Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Ally Sheedy, Lea Thompson, and Rob Lowe among others.

When is Brats coming out via streaming?

Brats is available to watch via streaming on Hulu on Thursday, June 13, 2024. Viewers will be able to stream it at this time.

Current Hulu subscribers will be able to watch the documentary when it airs.

Brats’ official synopsis reads:

“Based on his memoir, this documentary takes an intimate look at the life of actor Andrew McCarthy who grew to fame in the 1980s and was part of a group of actors known as The Brat Pack.”

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The post Brats Streaming Release Date: When Is It Coming Out on Hulu? appeared first on ComingSoon.net – Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.

By: Disheeta Maheshwari
Title: Brats Streaming Release Date: When Is It Coming Out on Hulu?
Sourced From: www.comingsoon.net/guides/news/1719265-brats-streaming-release-date-when-is-it-coming-out-on-hulu
Published Date: Wed, 15 May 2024 11:54:59 +0000

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