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X-Men ‘97 brought back a lot of characters that shaped the way people remember the franchise. Rogue was one of them. Not just because of her story, but because of the voice behind her. Lenore Zann returned, same as before. Same accent. Same weight in every word. That part didn’t change.
During a panel at FanX Tampa Bay, Zann was asked something simple. What would she say to the next person who’s going to play Rogue? No hesitation. She said,
"Watch X-Men: The Animated Series, then X-Men '97. That would be my number one thing to say".
That was her answer. Nothing else. That’s where Rogue lives.
Something felt off in the older films
She didn’t stop there. Zann talked about how Rogue came across in the early 2000s movies. It didn’t sit right with her. According to Zann, the version in the films was changed to feel more like Jubilee. Probably to connect with younger viewers. She stated,
"I think that the film versions changed Rogue from what she was written in the comics and what we did in the animated series. It kind of made her more like Jubilee. And I think that they went for a younger demographic by doing that, but I don't know why they didn't just choose Jubilee and use Jubilee instead of making Rogue like Jubilee. So it'll be interesting to see where they go now."
Zann made it clear that the Rogue from the comics and the animated series was more defined. Stronger. A little more grounded. The film version felt distant from that.
A suggestion that came with a smile
Then she said something else. It sounded a bit like a joke, but maybe not entirely. Zann said she’d love to see Rogue done in CGI, with her voice still in place. She called the idea selfish, but it depicts how attached she still is to her character. It’s not just about keeping a role, it’s about preserving the version of Rogue that fans came to know through X-Men ‘97.
Even if that’s probably not going to happen, especially now that Marvel seems to be looking for younger talent to keep things more budget-friendly. Recent reports point to Marvel casting younger actors for the new X-Men film, with Jake Schreier directing it. That’s confirmed. And the studio seems to be working with a different idea now. A new cast. New timing. Smaller names.
Rogue’s role in X-Men ‘97 still leads the way
In the new episodes of X-Men ‘97, Rogue doesn’t just appear. She holds the space. Her voice, her grief, the way she moves through scenes, it adds emotional depth. It comes from history. And it helps that Zann is still the one behind the voice. That choice gave the series a sense of trust. It’s not just about nostalgia. It’s about keeping something consistent.
Rogue has moments in the show that don’t need explanation. They don’t rely on flashbacks. They feel whole because of how she’s written and how she’s voiced. The performance doesn’t reset her. It deepens what was already there.
A name fans had in mind said no
Margaret Qualley was one of the names brought up by fans as a possible Rogue. When Collider asked her about it during an interview, she didn’t seem to show interest in the role. She was on the panel to talk about Honey Don’t!, and the subject moved on quickly. She didn’t elaborate, and the topic wasn't brought up again.
The film is coming, but still no details
There’s no release date. No cast. Only that Jake Schreier is involved and that Marvel is going younger this time. The older films leaned on big stars, Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, and Halle Berry. The next phase is going another way. Smaller names, budget-friendly. Maybe more room to grow across different phases of the MCU.
This version of Rogue, whoever plays her, will arrive in a world where the story is already moving fast. But X-Men ‘97 reminded audiences what made the character unforgettable in the first place. And still, people remember the one from the cartoons.
The voice is already part of the legacy
Zann’s advice wasn’t long. It wasn’t technical. But it carried meaning. She didn’t ask anyone to copy her. She asked them to look at what Rogue already was. The character was built once. It doesn’t need to start over.
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X-Men ‘97 reminded people that some characters don’t need to be reimagined. They just need space to speak again. Rogue was already complex. Already powerful. Already vulnerable in ways that made her more than just a superhero. She was never just one thing.
Zann’s voice still holds that mix. It stayed with the character through the decades. And even if the next version sounds different, the foundation exists.
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