Mutant X (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Mutant X is a science fiction
television series that debuted on October 6, 2001. The show was created by Marvel Studios
, and it centers around 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
.
Even though the series had high ratings and was meant to be renewed for a fourth season, it was abruptly canceled in 2004 after the dismantling of Fireworks Entertainment
, one of the show's production companies.
In 2010, Alliance Home Entertainment re-released each season on DVD in Canada.
sued Marvel
, Tribute 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."
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.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
television series that debuted on October 6, 2001. The show was created by Marvel Studios
Marvel Studios
Marvel Studios, originally Marvel Films, is an American television and motion picture studio based in Manhattan Beach, California. Marvel Studios is a subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment, a self-contained part of the The Walt Disney Company conglomerate....
, and it centers around Mutant X, a team of "New Mutants" who possess extraordinary powers as a result of genetic engineering
Genetic engineering
Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the direct human manipulation of an organism's genome using modern DNA technology. It involves the introduction of foreign DNA or synthetic genes into the organism of interest...
. 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
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Even though the series had high ratings and was meant to be renewed for a fourth season, it was abruptly canceled in 2004 after the dismantling of Fireworks Entertainment
Fireworks Entertainment
Fireworks Entertainment was founded by Jay Firestone in 1996 to produce, distribute and finance television shows and feature films. Fireworks was acquired by Canwest Global in May 1998, and was later sold to ContentFilm, a British company, in April 2005...
, one of the show's production companies.
Mutant X
- Adam Kane (John SheaJohn SheaJohn Victor Shea III is an American actor and director who has starred on stage, television and in film. He is best known for his role as Lex Luthor in the 1990s TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and also starred in the short lived 1990s TV series WIOU as Hank Zaret...
) is the strategist and moral center of Mutant X. Chief biochemist of the scientific experiments that led to the creation of the New Mutants, Kane created Mutant X to atone for his mistakes. The group seeks to protect New Mutants and help them control their powers. Viewing the New Mutants as his responsibility, Kane is looking for treatments for their various conditions. To this end, Kane has stolen The Creator's database, which can be used to track other New Mutants. In the end of the series it is revealed that Adam is actually a clone of The Creator.
- Shalimar Fox (Victoria PrattVictoria PrattVictoria Ainsle Pratt is a Canadian actress and fitness model. Her television roles include Xena: Warrior Princess, Once a Thief, Cleopatra 2525, Mutant X, and Day Break. Her film roles include House of the Dead 2.-Early life:Pratt attended Chesley District High School in Chesley, Ontario...
) is a recombination of human and animal DNADNADeoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
– a Feline Feral – giving her great strength, speed, leaping ability, agility, reflexes, glowing cat's eyes, and enhanced senses. Fox often confers with Adam, who had found her starving and frightened in a sleazy motel. After further mutation, she can feel incoming danger to herself like she has eyes at the back of her head. Like all Feline Ferals, Shalimar is extremely territorial and has heightened fear of fire and she is immune to the form of hypnosis.
- Jesse Kilmartin (Forbes MarchForbes MarchForbes March is a British-born Canadian actor. Although born in Bristol, South West England, he was raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia.-Biography:...
) can alter the densityDensityThe mass density or density of a material is defined as its mass per unit volume. The symbol most often used for density is ρ . In some cases , density is also defined as its weight per unit volume; although, this quantity is more properly called specific weight...
of his body at will. Kilmartin is the only known New Mutant to have surpassed his "expiration date." As a Molecular New Mutant, he can become intangible (though for no more than a minute, or risk not being able to reintegrate), or super-dense, making him nearly impervious to harm (though he can only maintain that form for as long as he can hold his breath). He also can manipulate gravity to some extent, and render other people or objects intangible or super-dense through physical contact by holding his breath for as long as he can.
- Brennan Mulwray (Victor WebsterVictor WebsterVictor Webster is a Canadian actor. He is best known for his roles as Brennan Mulwray in Mutant X and "Coop" on Charmed.-Life and career:...
) is an Elemental Electrical with the ability to generate enough electricity from his body to power a small city. He can also shoot powerful electrical bolts from his palms which, if fired downward, are capable of launching him high into the air. His primary weakness is water. Before Adam Kane found Mulwray, he was a thief. Mason Eckhart captured him and used him to hunt down the other New Mutants. However, Mulwray escaped and managed to join Mutant X along with Emma DeLauro.
- Emma deLauro (Lauren Lee SmithLauren Lee Smith-Early life:Lauren attended Henry James Cambie Secondary School. Smith was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The stepdaughter of a documentary filmmaker, Lauren travelled around the world with her family. When she was 14, her family moved to Los Angeles, California...
) is a Tele-EmpathPsionic (Mutant X)In the television show Mutant X, Genomex genetically engineered four classes of New Mutants: Elemental, Feral, Molecular, and Psionic. Psionic New Mutants are very powerful...
who can communicate her feelings and emotions and receive the feelings and emotions of others. Her abilities allow her to manipulate the emotions of those around her. She has limited precognition, demonstrated in episode 3 of season 2 and she also has the ability to induce hallucinations into the minds of others by drawing their own emotions. During her time in the team, Emma developed her Psionic Blast which she uses an offensive weapon to knock her opponents unconscious, alter and erase memories, and killing them upon impact. She can also shoot strong and powerful Psionic Starbursts and Psionic Shockwaves. Her powers grew as season 2 progressed, allowing her to broadcast emotions at a greater distance, though she could not isolate targets when doing this. Before Adam Kane found her, DeLauro sold clothes at retail and used her control of emotions to become a successful businesswoman. Initially resistant to joining Mutant X, she eventually developed an attachment to Brennan Mulwray. DeLauro was killed in an explosion at Naxcon Corporation Industries (Nicholas Fox's company).
- Lexa Pierce (Karen ClicheKaren ClicheKaren Cliche is a Canadian actress. She's best known for her roles as a regular on the TV series Vampire High, Adventure Inc., Mutant X, Young Blades, and Flash Gordon.She is married to Brian Mellersh since September 24, 2005...
) was the first member of the original Mutant X. As a Chromatic Molecular, she can bend light to make herself and anyone she is touching invisible. In addition, she can shoot laser beams from her fingertips to wound or kill her enemies and blinding light flashes with her hands to temporarily blind her foes. Pierce cannot stay invisible for long before reverting back to normal. Even in her invisible state, she is visible to infra-red light or Feral Vision. She is also a skilled martial artist.
Recurring cast
- Tom McCamusTom McCamusTom McCamus is an award-winning Canadian film and theatre actor who is most widely known for his work on the science-fiction television show Mutant X....
as Mason Eckhart (Seasons 1–3) - Andrew Gillies as Dr. Kenneth Harrison (Seasons 1 and 3)
- Michael EastonMichael EastonMichael Easton is an American television actor, poet, author and photographer.-Career:Easton has made appearances on television shows such as Ally McBeal and The Practice. He had a recurring role on the science fiction television series Mutant X...
as Gabriel Ashlocke (Seasons 1 and 2) - George BuzaGeorge BuzaGeorge Buza is an American-born Canadian actor who is best known for voicing Beast in the X-Men Animated Series.-Biography:Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he moved to Canada as a young man and became a Canadian citizen in 1998. He appeared as Chief Jake McKenna multiple times in the TV series Honey, I...
as Lexa's Dominion Contact (Season 3)
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.New Mutant Classifications
New Mutants are categorized into four different groups, depending on their abilities: Elementals, Ferals, Moleculars, and Psionics.- Elementals are New Mutants with the ability to channel, project, and control different types of energies through their bodies. Different types of Elementals include:
- Electricals, who can absorb and channel electricity;
- Thermals, who can absorb and control fire or cold;
- Sonics, who can control sound waves;
- Magnetics, who can control magnetic fields;
- Aquaticals, who can control water;
- Aerials, who can control air waves;
- Chemicals, who can project chemical substances, such as acid or toxin, from their bodies;
- Botanicals, who can control and manipulate plants;
- Meteorologicals, who can control the weather;
- and Geologicals, who can control earth; this subclass is extremely rare.
- Ferals are New Mutants with a combination of animal and human DNADNADeoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
, allowing them to use the abilities of the animal DNA within them. Different types of Ferals include:- Feline, who possess cat, tiger, lion, puma, leopard, lynx, cougar, or cheetah DNA;
- Ursines, who possess bear DNA;
- Canines, who possess dog, wolf, coyote, jackal, or fox DNA;
- Reptuses, who possess lizard, snake, alligator, crocodile, or turtle DNA;
- Porcines, who possess pig, boar, or hog DNA;
- Bovines, who possess cattle, buffalo, bison, or yak DNA;
- Cervines, who possess deer DNA;
- Amphibians, who possess frog, toad, salamander, or newt DNA;
- Piscis, who possess fish DNA;
- Insectums, who possess insect or arachnid DNA; this subclass is extremely rare;
- and Aves, who possess bird DNA.
- Moleculars are New Mutants who manipulate their body structure and molecular density in various ways. Some Moleculars possess more than one ability. Moleculars' abilities include:
- Intangibility, the ability to pass through solid objects;
- Imperviousness, the ability to increase their mass so they are invulnerable to projectile weapons;
- Invisibility, the ability to project an aura that renders them invisible.
- Propulsive, the ability to move at high speeds;
- Gravitative, the ability to manipulate gravity;
- Chromatic, the ability to change colour, light, and shades like a chameleon;
- Stasis Suspension, the ability to slow down time;
- Sturdiness, the ability to increase one's strength;
- Replication, the ability to duplicate solid objects;
- Elasticity, the ability to change their shape or size;
- Multiplication, the ability to transform into any human forms and creatures; this subclass is extremely rare.
- Teleportation, the ability to teleport anywhere they desire;
- and Regeneration, the ability to heal and repair tissues and limbs.
- Psionics are New Mutants who have heightened mental abilities. Different types of Psionics include:
- Telepaths, who can read and alter other people's thoughts;
- Telekinetics, who can move solid objects with their minds;
- Tele-Empaths, who can feel and, to various degrees, manipulate the emotions of others;
- Tele-Cybers, who can mentally connect with machines and control them;
- Precognitives, who are able to receive visions;
- Illusionists, who can create and project illusions to other people;
- Astrals, who can project their consciousness elsewhere;
- Remote Viewers, who an know what's going in a certain area;
- Postcognitives, who are able receive visions from the past;
- Intells, who have advanced intelligent quotients;
- Synapses, who can amplify people's brainwaves so that they're smart;
- Gatekeepers, who can open up portals;
- Psychometrics, who can see auras of objects;
- Absorbers, who can absorb anything into their minds;
- Omniscients, who can know anything;
- Intuitives, who know how things work;
- Soulites, who manipulate souls; this subclass extremely rare.
- Pain Synthesizers, who can project pain into others;
- and Multi-Dimensionals, who can create dimensions.
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.In 2010, Alliance Home Entertainment re-released each season on DVD in Canada.
| Season | Episodes | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 22 | August 31, 2010 |
| Season 2 | 22 | September 28, 2010 |
| Season 3 | 22 | October 26, 2010 |
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 of the DNA of the mustard plan in college which 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 Fox20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
sued Marvel
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
, Tribute Entertainment and Fireworks Entertainment
Fireworks Entertainment
Fireworks Entertainment was founded by Jay Firestone in 1996 to produce, distribute and finance television shows and feature films. Fireworks was acquired by Canwest Global in May 1998, and was later sold to ContentFilm, a British company, in April 2005...
for breach of their licensing agreement and false advertisement. Fox stated it had exclusive rights from Marvel to develop the X-Men
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
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."
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
Fraud
In criminal law, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual; the related adjective is fraudulent. The specific legal definition varies by legal jurisdiction. Fraud is a crime, and also a civil law violation...
and breach of contract
Breach of contract
Breach of contract is a legal cause of action in which a binding agreement or bargained-for exchange is not honored by one or more of the parties to the contract by non-performance or interference with the other party's performance....
, 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.