Mutant X (TV series)

Mutant X
Genre Science fiction
Superhero fiction
Action adventure
Created by Avi Arad
Starring Victoria Pratt
Victor Webster
Forbes March
Lauren Lee Smith
Karen Cliche
John Shea
Country of origin Canada
United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 3
No. of episodes 66 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Avi Arad
Jay Firestone
Adam Haight
Peter Mohan
Running time 44 minutes
Production company(s) Fireworks Entertainment
Marvel Studios
Global Television Network
Distributor Tribune Entertainment
Release
Original network Syndicated
Original release October 6, 2001 (2001-10-06) – May 17, 2004 (2004-05-17)

Mutant X is a science fiction television series that debuted on October 6, 2001. The show was created by Avi Arad, and it centers on Mutant X, a team of "New Mutants" who possess extraordinary powers as a result of genetic engineering. The members of Mutant X were used as test subjects in a series of covert government experiments. The mission of Mutant X is to seek out and protect their fellow New Mutants. The series was filmed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The series was abruptly cancelled in 2004 after the dismantling of Fireworks Entertainment, one of the show's production companies, ending the show with an unresolved cliffhanger.[1]

Cast and characters

Main cast

Recurring cast

Episodes

Backstory

Several years ago a company called Genomex carried out a series of illegal and immoral experiments on human subjects, forever altering the DNA of any children they might have, to make them mutations from the norm. Now many of those children have grown up, and it has become increasingly difficult for the rest of the world to ignore the New Mutants in their midst. Genomex, under the direction of Mason Eckhart, one of the original scientists, seeks to exploit its creations. Others seek to protect them. A New Mutant Underground has sprung up, and one of the most prominent cells in that organization is Mutant X, a team of powerful New Mutants led by Adam Kane, head chief biogeneticist of The Genomex scientists who participated in the experiments which have altered the world forever.

DVD releases

ADV Films released all three seasons on DVD in Region 1 in 2004 and 2005, but they are currently out of print. In late 2008, a complete series collection was scheduled to be released by ADV Films, but it was later cancelled.[2]

In 2010, Alliance Home Entertainment re-released each season on DVD in Canada. Each season was released in region 2 on March 25, 2013.

In 2008, Beyond Home Entertainment also re-released each season for region 4.

Season Episodes Release date
Season 1 22 August 31, 2010[3]
Season 2 22 September 28, 2010[4]
Season 3 22 October 26, 2010[5]

Comic book tie-in

In May 2002, Marvel Comics released a tie-in comic called Mutant X: Origin, which chronicled the early life of Adam Kane. In the story, Adam and a friend Paul did research on the DNA of the mustard plant in college that drew the attention of the U.S. government, who offered them the Genomex company to work on a cure to genetic diseases. During this story, Eckhart is exposed to radiation, which leads to his vulnerability to diseases.

Lawsuits

In 2001, 20th Century Fox sued Marvel, Tribune Entertainment, and Fireworks Entertainment for breach of their licensing agreement and false advertisement. Fox stated it had exclusive rights from Marvel to develop the X-Men property, and anything similar was an infringement. Fox claimed that Mutant X was too similar to X-Men, and Mutant X was being advertised as an "X-Men replacement."[6]

Marvel counter-sued Fox, saying that the two were dissimilar and asking the courts to allow Mutant X production to go forward. Production was allowed, as long as X-Men material was not used in the promotion of Mutant X. Apparently, the title Mutant X itself was deemed too close to X-Men to be effectively leveraged.

In 2003, Fox and Marvel resolved their differences in a confidential settlement of their suits. Meanwhile, Fox continued to pursue their case against Tribune and Fireworks. Tribune sued Marvel for fraud and breach of contract, claiming Marvel encouraged Tribune to connect Mutant X to the X-Men, misrepresented what they were getting in their license, and caused millions in losses due to the need to alter story lines and characters to ensure the mandated distance between Mutant X and X-Men, as well as fighting Fox's litigation.[7]

References

  1. "Mutant X, Andromeda Cancelled". IGN.com. April 26, 2004. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  2. "DVD Release Canceled for Mutant X - The Complete Collection". TVShowsOnDVD.com. September 6, 2008. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
  3. "Mutant X - Season 1 Coming to Canada". TVShowsOnDVD.com. June 30, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  4. "Mutant X - Season 2 Date, Cost for Canadian DVD Release". TVShowsOnDVD.com. July 15, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  5. "Mutant X - The 3rd and Last Season of the Show Based on Marvel's Comics Comes Back to DVD". TVShowsOnDVD.com. August 19, 2010. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  6. "277 F3d 253 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation v. Marvel Enterprises Inc Tribune Entertainment Company Fireworks Communications Inc Fireworks Television Inc". Open Jurist. October 10, 2001. Retrieved February 21, 2010.
  7. "Mutant X Suit Settled". ICv2.com. March 4, 2003. Retrieved April 7, 2010.

External links

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