Mutant X (TV series)

Last updated
Mutant X
Mutantx-logo.png
Genre Superhero [1] [2] [3]
Created by Avi Arad
Starring
Composers
Country of originCanada
United States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes66 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Cinematography
  • Colin Hoult
  • Nikos Evdemon
  • Alwyn Kumst
  • Jim Westenbrink
Editors
  • David B. Thompson
  • Dave Goard
  • Eric Goddard
  • Dean Balser
  • Paul Whitehead
Running time44 minutes
Production companies Fireworks Entertainment
Marvel Studios
Global Television Network
Tribune Entertainment
Original release
Network Syndicated
ReleaseOctober 6, 2001 (2001-10-06) 
May 17, 2004 (2004-05-17)

Mutant X is a superhero television series created under a Marvel Comics license, but with no connection to the Mutant X comic book series. It debuted in first-run syndication 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.

Contents

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. [4]

Characters

Main

Recurring

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1 22October 6, 2001 (2001-10-06)July 6, 2002 (2002-07-06)
2 22October 5, 2002 (2002-10-05)May 12, 2003 (2003-05-12)
3 22September 29, 2003 (2003-09-29)May 17, 2004 (2004-05-17)

Home media

ADV Films released all three seasons on DVD in region 1 in 2004 and 2005. In late 2008, a complete series collection was scheduled to be released by ADV Films, but was later cancelled. [5]

In 2008, Beyond Home Entertainment also re-released each season for region 4. [6]

In 2010, Alliance Home Entertainment re-released each season on DVD in Canada. Season 1 was released on August 31, [7] season 2 on September 28, [8] and season 3 on October 26. [9]

In region 2, Revelation Films released all three seasons individually on March 25, 2013. They released a complete series set on DVD in the UK on June 20, 2016. [10] On October 24, 2016, Revelation Films released a region free complete series Blu-ray set. [11]

Lionsgate Home Entertainment released the complete series on DVD on February 26, 2019. [12]

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

On April 15, 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". [13]

Marvel countersued 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. [14]

On March 9, 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 storylines and characters to ensure the mandated distance between Mutant X and X-Men, as well as fighting Fox's litigation. [15] In November 2005, the dispute was settled in private.

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References

  1. "15 Live-Action Superhero Shows Everyone Forgot Existed". 19 April 2022.
  2. "Mutant X: Season 2 Discs 1/2". 15 June 2004.
  3. "Live-Action Marvel TV Shows Before Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." 25 September 2013.
  4. "Mutant X, Andromeda Cancelled". IGN . Ziff Davis. April 26, 2004. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  5. "DVD Release Canceled for Mutant X - The Complete Collection". TVShowsOnDVD.com. September 6, 2008. Archived from the original on July 12, 2010. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
  6. "Mutant X". Beyond Home Entertainment. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  7. "Mutant X - Season 1 Coming to Canada". TVShowsOnDVD.com. June 30, 2010. Archived from the original on July 2, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  8. "Mutant X - Season 2 Date, Cost for Canadian DVD Release". TVShowsOnDVD.com. July 15, 2010. Archived from the original on July 19, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  9. "Mutant X - The 3rd and Last Season of the Show Based on Marvel's Comics Comes Back to DVD". TVShowsOnDVD.com. August 19, 2010. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  10. "Mutant X The Complete Seasons 1-3 [DVD]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  11. "Mutant X - The Complete Collection [Blu-ray][ALL REGIONS]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  12. Mutant X: Ssn 1-3 Collection. ASIN   6317642133.
  13. "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.
  14. "Marvel, Fox Settle Over 'X-Men'". Huron Daily Tribune. March 3, 2003. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  15. "Mutant X Suit Settled". ICv2 . GCO. March 4, 2003. Retrieved April 7, 2010.