Kevin Feige had only two conditions for the show. 1.) The original X-Men: The Animated Series (1992) voice-cast had to return. 2.) The rights for the theme tune of the series had to be obtained.
This show marks both the first Marvel Studios project with the Marvel Animation banner and Marvel Studios' first X-Men project.
The show is a continuation of the 1990s show X-Men: The Animated Series (1992), which last episode aired in 1997. Hence the title X-Men '97.
The character of Morph first appeared in the 1960s comics as "Changeling", an adversary turned ally who died disguised as Xavier. For X-Men: The Animated Series (1992), he had the same powers and a similar look to the comics but was given the name Morph, as DC already owned the rights to the name Changeling. In 2001, the character was brought back in the comic "Exiles" #1, but from the "Age of Apocalypse" reality. This version went by Morph as well, had chalk-white skin and no nose or hair in base form, had vastly improved shapeshifting abilities, and a jokester demeanor. His incarnation in this show has a redesigned Morph that resembles the Age of Apocalypse version.
Alyson Court chose not to reprise the role as Jubilee, insisting that a Chinese American should voice the character. The role went to Holly Chou.