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Beau DeMayo served as the creator ofX-Men ’97for Marvel Studios. However, DeMayo came into the limelight for the wrong reasons when he was fired from the series shortly before its premiere in March 2024. DeMayo previously worked as a writer on Netflix’sThe Witcher, where he wrote two episodes of the fantasy series.
According to reports, DeMayo’s work in the franchise was slammed by hisThe Witchercolleague, Matthew D’Ambrosio, for problematic treatment of a gay character. However, DeMayo has defended his decision, albeit poorly, by using his privilege as a gay writer. Here is what D’Ambrosio said about DeMayo killing off a gay character.
The WitcherWriter Matthew D’Ambrosio Slammed Beau DeMayo for Killing a Gay Character
Beau DeMayo‘s name caused shockwaves among Marvel fans after he was fired just weeks before the premiere ofX-Men ’97, without a clear reason from the studio. While there is no firm explanation for DeMayo’s firing, it hasbrought the writer’s past into the public light.
DeMayo worked as a writer for two episodes of Netflix’sThe Witcher, as well as a screenwriter for the animated spin-off filmThe Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf. In the second season of the former, a gay Witcher named Eskel is one of the first characters to die when a monster attacks Kaer Morhen.
Matthew D’Ambrosio, who serves as a staff writer for the second season, reportedly slammed the decision to kill off a gay character. In aTumblr post, a user shared a deleted tweet from D’Ambrosio, which states the following, implying he was talking about DeMayo.
“For no reason at all I’m thinking of the time a gay writer once told me that bisexuality is a trope.”
D’Ambrosio then spoke critically about the said writer, presumably DeMayo, and his choice to kill off Eskel, a gay character, seemingly without a strong reason.
“Also another time he said that bottoms are disease receptacles (he attends a lot of circuit parties apparently) and he’d also go out of his way to kill queer characters.”
“It’s a recipe for disaster”: Henry Cavill’s Bravery Became a Major Catalyst for X-Men ‘97 Success and Beau DeMayo Will Surely Agree
D’Ambrosio made the above statement, slamming Eskel’s death from a leshy infection in the second episode of season 2, written by DeMayo. D’Ambrosio’s comment implied that the decision to kill Eskel was a prejudiced one and bought into the burying-your-gays trope in Hollywood.
Beau DeMayo Defended Killing Off Eskel By Using His Privilege
In the same Tumblr post, a fan shared a now-deleted tweet from DeMayo, where the writer interacted with fans online and addressed Eskel’s death in the second season, which preceded the massacre of other Witchers.
“Historically, pogroms sometimes progress in stages where the most different are killed first. Having a gay Witcher be the first killed speaks to this historical trend.”
DeMayo made the above statement, implying that the decision to kill off the gay character was made to highlight the historical trend seen in massacres of ethnic groups. He added the following:
“As a gay man, it was not a decision made lightly or just to bury the gay.”
DeMayo’s comment implies that being a gay writer allows him the freedom to kill off a gay character for historical context. However, DeMayo’s statement is clearly a defense of his creative decision through a privileged lens.
“Please let it be Beau DeMayo”: Marvel Reportedly Close to Hiring X-Men Movie Writer and X-Men ‘97 Fans Already Have Their Candidate Despite Firing
At the same time, DeMayo’s defense only supported D’Ambrosio’s criticism of the writer. Furthermore, the two episodes ofThe Witcher, written by DeMayo frequently feature among theworst episodesof the series, making him further worthy of such criticism.
The Witcherand its spin-offs are streaming on Netflix.
Pratik Handore
Content Writer
Articles Published :1775
With a keen interest in comic book movies and blockbuster franchises, Pratik usually covers news and updates on the DCU, MCU, Star Wars, and more.A die-hard fan of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Pratik spends most of his time exploring different storytelling mediums that invoke a sense of wonder and adventure. Other filmmakers whose works have deeply influenced him include Alfred Hitchcock, James Gunn, and Guillermo del Toro.
