Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Ross Marquand reveals how the original X-Men animated series, metal singers, and even Jesse Ventura helped shape his voice for Apocalypse in X-Men '97.
In this Collider interview, Marquand breaks down the surprising process behind voicing both Apocalypse and Professor X. After receiving his Apocalypse audition while in New Zealand, he canceled plans to visit Lord of the Rings locations and spent two days studying clips of original voice actor John Colicos. Marquand explains how Colicos’ Shakespearean delivery became part of his foundation before he added a darker, bass-heavy quality of his own.
He also discusses why switching between Professor X and Apocalypse during recording proved difficult, eventually leading the team to record each character separately.
Beyond the booth, Marquand reflects on growing up as a Marvel and X-Men fan, being bullied for the things he loved, and the specific Wolverine moment that helped inspire him to become an actor. He also shares why he supports X-Men '97 pushing into darker territory, his emotional response to the season finale, and why he believes the original X-Men animated series helped pave the way for Marvel’s later mainstream success.
Chapters:
0:00 Ross Marquand’s Lifelong X-Men Connection
0:37 Defending X-Men '97’s Darker Storytelling
1:49 Why Apocalypse Is the X-Men’s Biggest Foe
2:31 Marquand Reacts to the Season Finale
3:18 Professor X After Magneto’s Death
4:07 The Wolverine Moment That Inspired His Career
5:35 Building the Professor X Voice
5:59 How Marquand Created Apocalypse’s Voice
7:18 Why He Records His Characters Separately
8:26 What Andrew Lincoln Taught Him
9:05 The Original X-Men’s Marvel Legacy
Our Social Media:
facebook.com/collider
x.com/Collider
Our Website
collider.com
Video By Maggie Lovitt & Dano GS
For copyright matters, please contact us at: legal@valnetinc.com
Ross Marquand reveals how the original X-Men animated series, metal singers, and even Jesse Ventura helped shape his voice for Apocalypse in X-Men '97.
In this Collider interview, Marquand breaks down the surprising process behind voicing both Apocalypse and Professor X. After receiving his Apocalypse audition while in New Zealand, he canceled plans to visit Lord of the Rings locations and spent two days studying clips of original voice actor John Colicos. Marquand explains how Colicos’ Shakespearean delivery became part of his foundation before he added a darker, bass-heavy quality of his own.
He also discusses why switching between Professor X and Apocalypse during recording proved difficult, eventually leading the team to record each character separately.
Beyond the booth, Marquand reflects on growing up as a Marvel and X-Men fan, being bullied for the things he loved, and the specific Wolverine moment that helped inspire him to become an actor. He also shares why he supports X-Men '97 pushing into darker territory, his emotional response to the season finale, and why he believes the original X-Men animated series helped pave the way for Marvel’s later mainstream success.
Chapters:
0:00 Ross Marquand’s Lifelong X-Men Connection
0:37 Defending X-Men '97’s Darker Storytelling
1:49 Why Apocalypse Is the X-Men’s Biggest Foe
2:31 Marquand Reacts to the Season Finale
3:18 Professor X After Magneto’s Death
4:07 The Wolverine Moment That Inspired His Career
5:35 Building the Professor X Voice
5:59 How Marquand Created Apocalypse’s Voice
7:18 Why He Records His Characters Separately
8:26 What Andrew Lincoln Taught Him
9:05 The Original X-Men’s Marvel Legacy
Our Social Media:
facebook.com/collider
x.com/Collider
Our Website
collider.com
Video By Maggie Lovitt & Dano GS
For copyright matters, please contact us at: legal@valnetinc.com
