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Podcast Episode

443 - X-Men ’97 Cast - Rogue, Morph & Nightcrawler Walk Into a Podcast: The Voice Acting Craft Behind X-Men '97

The MAKE IT Podcast··18 August 2026·1h 13m

About this episode

This episode is brought to you by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don’t stop at good enough—it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks WITH you, not for you. Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude Pro when you use our link – www.claude.ai/makeit This episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/products/mastering-film-marketing. Use the Discount code: NASHFILM20 for 20% off EVERYTHING at themakeitpodcast.com Hello, Hello! In this episode, we sit down with three legendary voice actors from the animated series X-Men '97 — Lenore Zann (Rogue), JP Karliak (Morph), and Adrian Hough (Nightcrawler) — to discuss Season 2 of the hit Disney+ show, the craft of voice acting, and the personal journeys that have shaped each of their careers. The trio shares candid reflections on preserving character continuity across decades, the challenges facing working voice actors in an AI-driven industry, and how their art intersects with social justice, environmental advocacy, and political engagement. From cheat day meals to what it truly means to "MAKE IT," this conversation is as heartfelt as it is illuminating. We also talk about:The origins of Rogue's iconic catchphrase "sugar" and how it became part of Lenore Zann's everyday speech, blurring the line between character and performerThe nostalgia for the 1990s circulating on social media, and why JP Karliak believes humans were never biologically designed to process the volume of information we consume today via the internetThe very real threat of AI voice cloning in the animation industry, including Adrian Hough's discovery of unauthorized voice copies of his characters Nightcrawler and Haytham Kenway, and what that means for workhorse voice actorsThe role the COVID-19 pandemic played in reviving interest in X-Men: The Animated Series on Disney+, and how that surge in viewership likely led directly to the creation of X-Men '97Each guest's deep personal commitment to causes beyond entertainment, including environmental advocacy for old-growth forests (Adrian), LGBTQIA+ voice actor support and nonpartisan voter engagement (JP), and social/political justice work rooted in Lenore's 12-year career as a Canadian politician People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:X-Men '97 X-Men: The Animated Series Disney+Revival PeacockAudible / Amazon Star Wars: Visions My Life with the Walter Boys Marvel Mash-Up Bob Trevino Likes ItOur Hero BalthazarHoly DaysBreaker Morant Mephisto The Ruling ClassThe Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith Picnic at Hanging RockMy Brilliant CareerStorm Hawks The Boss BabyCoComelonYo Gabba Gabba!BlueyThe Joy Luck ClubThe Aussie Six PeopleLenore ZannJP KarliakAdrian HoughTracie Laymon Ted WelchOscar Boyson Nat Boltt Miriam Margolyes Jacki Weaver Judy DavisSam Neill Edward WoodwardJack ThompsonBryan BrownPeter O'TooleAnthony Hopkins / Hannibal LecterIan McKellenPatrick StewartTom Kenny / SpongeBobChris RockElla FitzgeraldMarilyn MonroeNeil Gaiman / The Graveyard BookDavid Letterman / Jennifer Aniston CharactersX-ForceX-FactorPolarisJubilee / SunspotGraydon CreedCarol Danvers / Ms. MarvelMystique / DestinyBishopGambit / Remy LeBeauPoison IvyHaytham Kenway Organizations, Tools & BooksQueer BoxNerds VoteNashville Film FestivalPostlyCanvaRiversideA Rogue's Tale Lilith FairMTV Video Music AwardsCocoanut Grove  PlacesVancouver IslandCalgaryLondon, UKMontrealParisNew York / Off-BroadwayWisconsinHollywood Social MediaAdrian HoughJP Karliak@queerboxacademynerdsvote.com / @nerdsvote@LenoreZann (Instagram) / @ZannLenore (X) We are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITwww.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy