X-Men '97 returned earlier this week with its long-awaited second season after a two-year hiatus, and fans have already found a connection linking the animated series to the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe. According to Collider, viewers noticed that Magneto's voice actor, Matthew Waterson, was credited with an additional role in the end credits of Season 2, Episode 3: the Celestial known as Eson.
Eson is not a new figure in Marvel's history. He appeared in a brief flashback in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 in 2014, where he was shown wielding the Power Stone. He did not appear in the 2021 Celestial-focused film Eternals. Eson is also the main villain of the Guardians of the Galaxy ride at Disney World.
Waterson is not the only voice actor in X-Men '97 pulling double duty. Ross Marquand voices both Professor X and Apocalypse, while Jennifer Hale voices Jean Grey along with more than five other characters.
X-Men '97 holds the distinction of being Marvel's highest-rated project of all time. The show's return comes as Marvel fans are also preparing for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the first MCU theatrical release of 2026, which is expected to lead into Avengers: Doomsday on December 18.
Marvel has also been active on Disney Jr. with the animated kids series Iron Man and His Awesome Friends, which recently returned with the second half of its first season. The show has officially introduced Liam Karlsson as a young Thor. Karlsson previously appeared in Star Wars: Visions and Tokyo Override. The episode introducing his Thor, titled The Mighty Thor and Mischievous Loki, also features Nylan Parthipan as Loki and Alan Ruck voicing Odin.
Thor appears in two forms in the series: a high-tech armored version and a civilian look with a blond undercut. The character switches between them using his enchanted hammer. Thor and Loki are set to recur throughout the rest of the season, with future episodes including Loki's Movie Mania, Thor and the Frost Giant, and Thor and Loki Hit the Road.
Karlsson is also set to reprise the role in Avengers: Mightiest Friends, a Disney Jr. series scheduled for 2027. That show will feature kid-friendly versions of Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Iron Man, and Spider-Man. JP Karliak's Green Goblin and Tony Hale's Ultron are expected to appear as well.
