EXCLUSIVE: The war of words between X-Men ’97 creator Beau DeMayo and Marvel has escalated and gone beyond the comic-book-themed company to engulf its parent Disney.
Bryan Freedman, who has handled some of Hollywood’s biggest wrongful termination cases of the past few years, now represents DeMayo. He has issued a blistering statement to Deadline after his client’s claim on social media that he had lost his Season 2 credit on X-Men ’97 over sharing gay pride-themed fan art was countered by Marvel’s response that he was fired after a misconduct investigation produced findings of “egregious nature.” As Deadline reported, according to Marvel sources, DeMayo was investigated for alleged sexual misconduct, and the credit removal was due to breaches of the two sides’ separation agreement.
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Freedman did not address the specific allegations but blasted Disney’s practices, which he referred to as “illegal” multiple times.
“Having much experience with Disney, the playbook is always the same. Family friendly on the outside, but secretly attempting to plant illegal unconscionable items in contracts that silence the truth and stop the employee/customer from asserting basic constitutional rights,” Freedman said.
In the past few years, the top lawyer has sued Disney on behalf of such clients as former ESPN broadcaster Sage Steele.
“As we will explain through detailed examples which we will roll out in detail one by one, Disney’s model is very clear and a repetitive illegal pattern,” Freedman continued. “Once it gets challenged or exposed, the gaslighting and redirection of the blame toward anyone willing to tell the truth starts through an international well oiled publicity machine.”
As for his client, “Beau DeMayo wants nothing from Marvel/Disney except the truth,” Freedman said. “He will bravely tell the truth. So will I. Stand by.”
The last part is an indication that legal action may be coming soon.
DeMayo abruptly exited as head writer of Disney+/Marvel’s series X-Men ’97 in March ahead of its premiere. At the time, he had completed writing seasons 1 and 2 of the animated series, which premiered March 20 to strong reviews.