One hour after FAN EXPO Boston 2025 opened its doors to the public, X-Men: The Animated Series and X-Men ’97 voice actor Cal Dodd took the stage for “Wolverine Unleashed: X-Men ’97’s Cal Dodd.” Early into the panel, the X-Men icon reminded the audience of one of Wolverine’s most famous lines from the ’90s cartoon: “I go where I wanna go.” It was clear that a bit of Logan had rubbed off on Dodd, as the actor would go on to say what he wanted to say.
Here’s a recap of some of the panel’s most interesting moments, including details about the highly anticipated second season of X-Men ’97.
Courtesy of Chris Hassan
Wolverine and Cyclops’ Playful Rivalry
Dodd shared that during the production of X-Men: The Animated Series, he and the late Norm Spencer, who voiced Cyclops, would stay in character when not recording to rib one another. It helped that both actors shared a self-denigrating sense of humor. When the ’90s cast was ordering special jackets, they had a choice between Wolverine yellow and X-Men blue.
“I said, ‘Hey, Cyke, what color are you gettin’,'” Dodd said in his iconic Logan voice.
“I tell you, it won’t be Wolverine yellow,” Dodd said, impersonating Spencer.
Dodd explained that Wolverine — or “his majesty,” as he referred to him — is front and center on the back of the jackets, no matter the color.
One day, when Spencer was wearing the jacket, Dodd couldn’t resist making “teacher’s pet” admit that it was Wolverine’s face he was wearing on his back.
The X-Men Films and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine
When asked for his thoughts on the 20th Century Fox X-Men films, Dodd explained that he views the movies and animated series as “apples and oranges.” However, Dodd is clearly proud that the success of the ’90s animated series made the film possible.
“Hugh wouldn’t have a job now if not for the animated series, and 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 one the audience had in their heads. At one point, Dodd was invited to the first X-Men film’s set for a wine and cheese party where the two Wolverine actors could meet.
“Wine and cheese,” Dodd questioned in his Logan voice, “What about beer and beer?”
The two got to meet, and Dodd wished Jackman good luck. But in true Wolverine form, Dodd had to have the last word.
“Hey, Hugh,” Dodd shouted to Jackman, walking away.
“Yeah, mate?” Dodd said Jackman replied.
“Don’t mess this up, bub.”
Thoughts on Deadpool & Wolverine
Surprisingly, the man who voices Wolverine isn’t a big fan of violence in media. This led him to share that he wasn’t “really big” on Deadpool & Wolverine.
“I sat through it,” Dodd said. “I can’t hear the F-word anymore. And then they start dancing. It was just — what are you doing?”
X-Men ’97 Season 2 Delays and Wolverine’s Future
Dodd shared that when X-Men ’97 was coming together, as the X-Men were now under Disney’s control, he had to audition again. Fortunately, the audition went well, and Dodd was back in action.
“It’s about time, bub,” Dodd said when he got the news. “I’ve been sittin’ and waitin’ for 26 years. Let’s go.”
X-Men ’97 will return in 2026, according to Dodd. He alluded to the long wait being tied to rewrites and a change in direction from what creator and former head writer Beau DeMayo had planned for the series.
“We changed it so many times to fix up the direction he was going, and that’s why it’s taking so long to release it,” Dodd said.
Courtesy of Marvel Animation
When last we saw Wolverine, he was recovering from having his adamantium ripped from his bones by Magneto in “Tolerance is Extinction – Part 3.” As any X-Fan will tell you, a battle with the master of magnetism can’t keep a good X-Man down. But apparently, Disney didn’t get the memo and was quite alarmed when Dodd shared on social media that he was excited to be back in the studio, recording dialogue for season 2.
“Within 10 minutes of posting, my phone is ringing,” Dodd shared. Disney asked him to take the post down, as X-Men ’97 season 1 ended on a cliffhanger and the audience doesn’t know if Logan is alive or dead.
“Well, I think you’re wrong,” Dodd replied in his Logan voice. “They do now.”
Dodd went on to share that in X-Men ’97 season 2, Wolverine is indeed back, he has bone claws, and he’s trying to keep his spirits up as he’s fighting within himself.
“He feels like he’s half the man,” Dodd said of a Logan with no adamantium in his claws.
But it appears to be a temporary problem, as five to six episodes into season 2, Dodd said everybody is concerned about Wolverine as he seems very down and they haven’t seen him in a couple of days. With that, the door opens, Logan is just standing in the doorway looking really healthy, and goes, “I’m back, baby.”
“I had to give that away because I’m so happy,” Dodd said.
Courtesy of Marvel Animation
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