An hour after Fan Expo Boston 2025 opened the door to the public, voice actor Cal Dodd from X-Men: The Animated Series and X-Men ’97 took to the stage for “Wolverine Unleashed: X-Men ’97’s Cal Dodd.” Early on the panel, the X-Men icon reminded the audience of one of the most famous lines in the 90s cartoon Wolverine. “I’ll go where I want to go,” it was clear that Logan was rubbed a bit with the Dodd as the actor continues to say what he wants to say.
This is a summary of some of the panel’s most interesting moments, including details from the highly anticipated second season of X-Men ’97.
Provided by Chris Hassan
The playful rivalry between Wolverine and Cyclops
Dodd shared that during the production of the X-Men: The Animated series, the late Norm Spencer, who voiced him and Cyclops, stays with the character when they don’t record ribs with each other. It helped both actors share a self-derived sense of humor. When the cast in the 90s were ordering special jackets, they could choose between Wolverine Yellow and X-Men Blue.
“I said, ‘Hey, Cyc, what colour do you wear?” Dodd said in his iconic Logan voice.
“I tell you, it’s not Wolverine Yellow,” Dodd said, impersonating Spencer.
Dodd explained that the Wolverine, or “his under,” he mentioned, was the front and center behind the jacket, regardless of the colour.
One day, when Spencer was wearing a jacket, Dodd couldn’t resist making “teacher’s pet” admit that it was Wolverine’s face that he was wearing on his back.
X-Men Films and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine
When sought ideas about 20th century Fox X-Men movies, Dodd described the film and animated series as “apples and oranges.” However, Dodd is clearly proud that the success of the animated series in the 90s made the film possible.
“Hugh isn’t working for an animated series right now. He knows that,” Dodd said.
Jackman was told to keep Dodd’s Wolverine voice in mind when preparing for the role, as Dodd’s voice was the only voice the audience had in their heads. At one point, Dodd was invited to the set of the first X-Men film for a wine and cheese party where the two Wolverine actors could meet.
“Wine and cheese,” Dodd asked Logan in his voice, “What about beer and beer?”
The two began to meet, and Dodd wanted Jackman’s good fortune. But in the true Wolverine form, Dodd had to have the last word.
“Hey, Hugh,” Dodd cried to Jackman and left.
“Yeah, mate?” Dodd said Jackman replied.
“Don’t ruin this, Bab.”
Thoughts on Deadpool and Wolverine
Surprisingly, those who voice Wolverine are not huge fans of violence in the media. This made him share with Deadpool & Wolverine as “not really big.”
“I sat through it,” Dodd said. “I can’t hear the F word anymore. Then they started dancing. It was free – what are you doing?”
X-Men ’97 Season 2 delay and the future of Wolverine
Dodd shared that when X-Men ’97 came together, they had to audition again as the X-Men was under Disney’s control. Luckily, the audition went well and Dodd was active.
“It’s time, Bab,” Dodd said as he received the news. “I’ve been sitting and waiting for 26 years. Let’s go.”
According to Dodd, the X-Men ’97 will return to 2026. He hinted at a long wait tied to a rewrite and a change in direction from what former headwriter Beau DeMayo had planned for the series.
“We’ve changed it a number of times to correct the direction he goes, so it takes a lot of time to release it,” Dodd said.
Courtesy of Marvel Animation
When he finally saw Wolverine, he had recovered Adamantium from being torn from his bones by Magneto in “Resistance is Extinct – Part 3”. As X-Fan tells you, fighting the Magnetic Master can’t suppress a good X-Man. However, apparently Disney hadn’t got a note and was extremely wary when Dodd shared his excitement on social media about returning to the studio to record the season 2 dialogue.
“Within 10 minutes of posting, my phone is ringing,” Dodd shared. X-Men ’97 Season 1 ends with a cliffhanger and the audience doesn’t know if Logan is alive or dead, so Disney asks him to remove the post.
“Well, I think you’re wrong,” Dodd replied in his Logan voice. “They are doing that now.”
Dodd continued to share it in X-Men ’97 season 2. Wolverine is certainly back. He has bone claws.
“He feels like half a man,” Dodd said of Logan, who has no adamantium on his claws.
However, for the 5-6 episodes to Season 2, it seems like a temporary issue. Dodd said that everyone is worried about Wolverine as he appears to be very down and hasn’t seen him for a few days. So the door opens and Logan stands in the doorway looking really healthy, saying, “I’m back, baby.”
“I had to give it because I’m so happy,” Dodd said.
Courtesy of Marvel Animation
