Mutant X Articles: 9/10/00 Mutant X in development
Comics 2 Film 9/10/00: Avi Arad
Reported By Comics Continuum, 9/10/2000:
Avi Arad revealed yet another Marvel TV property to Rob Allstetter of the Comics Continuum. Arad told Allstetter, "We are...working very hard on Mutant X." The show, based on an X-Men parallel universe spin-off, is in the works with Tribune Entertainment. Arad told Allstetter that the show would likely air on cable TV.
© Comics 2 Film
Excerpt from Comics Continuum 9/14/00: Avi Arad
THOR, MUTANT X TELEVISION SHOWS
Live-action television shows based on Marvel Comics' Thor and Mutant X are both in development. "We are interviewing show-runners and we are working on Thor," Marvel's Avi Arad said. "We are also working very hard on Mutant X."
....
Mutant X will be made in conjunction with Tribune Entertainment. "It will be syndicated, with probably a cable run first," Arad said. Details of the show are still very sketchy. "It's a whole new generation, you'll see," Arad said. "It's something very unique in live-action."
© Comics Continuum
Comics 2 Film 9/10/00
Reported By The Hollywood Reporter, 11/29/2000:
The Hollywood Reporter announced today that the Mutant X TV show is targeted for a fall 2001 release. The show is in development by Tribune Entertainment Co., the makers of Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda, Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict and Beastmaster. The article states that the show has been cleared on Tribune Broadcasting Stations. The show will be developed by Philip Segal, who was also recently named senior VP of scripted programming and development at TEC.
© Comics 2 Film
Excerpt from TV Guide 9/15/00: Avi Arad
THOR, MUTANT X HEAD TO TV
TV Guide News Sep 15, 2000 04:00 AM ET
Artisan Entertainment is developing live-action television shows based on Marvel Comics's Thor and Mutant X, comicscontinuum.com reports. Tyler Mane (X-Men) and Dolph Lundgren reportedly are interested in playing Thor, the god of thunder. "We are not at the casting stage," Marvel's Avi Arad told the website. "I'm not being cagey. It's just too early. All tall, good-looking actors should be interested in this one."
© TV Guide
Excerpt from Cinescape 11/29/00
TRIBUNE POWERS MUTANT X SERIES
By: ERIC J. MOREELS, EDITOR Dateline: Wednesday, November 29, 2000
The Hollywood Reporter recently gave an update on the status of the planned live-action Mutant X TV series, based on the recently-cancelled Marvel comic book. Mutant X is set to be a weekly action/adventure that Tribune Entertainment Co. has cleared on the Tribune Broadcasting stations for fall 2001. Confirmation of the new syndicated sci-fi series came Tuesday in an announcement that also said Philip Segal has been named senior vp scripted programming and development at TEC.
Segal, who will report to president and CEO Dick Askin, will take oversight of all development and programming activities for TEC`s scripted content, including its action hours Gene Roddenberry`s Andromeda, Gene Roddenberry`s Earth: Final Conflict, Beastmaster, and the new Mutant X. "[Mutant X] comes from Marvel Entertainment`s family of mutant characters and follows the adventures of a group of human mutants with extraordinary genetically engineered powers," said the Reporter. "It has quietly been in development at Tribune for some months and was presented recently by TEC to the Tribune station group." With Tribune stations on board, the series is cleared in more than 38% of the country before the National Association of Television Program Executives syndication sales conference, January 22-25 in Las Vegas.
....
Mutant X will be produced by Canada`s Fireworks Entertainment in association with Marvel Media and Tribune Entertainment, which also is handling domestic syndication.
© Cinescape
Broadcasting & Cable 12/4/00
MUTANT is a GO
Tribune Entertainment has given a green light to new weekly hour Mutant X, based on the Marvel comic series, for a fall 2001 start. The show (a cast hasn't yet been assembled) has been cleared in 60% of the country, including the Tribune Broadcasting stations. Top-market outlets on board with two-year deals for Mutant X, produced by Fireworks Entertainment in association with Marvel Entertainment and Tribune Entertainment, include KTLA Los Angeles, WPIX New York and WPHL Philadelphia.
© Broadcasting & Cable
Excerpt from Comics Continuum 12/5/00: Daniel Tibbets, Avi Arad
MUTANT X TV UPDATE
The Mutant X live-action television series will likely premiere in syndication the week of Oct. 23, 2001, The Continuum has learned. Daniel Tibbets, who is in charge of programming and development for Fireworks Television, which is producing the series with Tribune Entertainment and Marvel Studios, told The Continuum that Tribune has a commitment for two years of 22 episodes each. "In the TV world, especially in syndication, you look for franchises and brands," Tibbets said of the X-Men spin-off. "And this is one of the biggest."
Tibbets said that a show-runner for the series has not been hired yet, but talks are beginning with "several" candidates. It's likely that the Mutant X TV series will be loosely based on the comic book - which was recently canceled by Marvel - and will be a group show. Tibbets said that exactly which characters will be in Mutant X hasn't been determined yet. "It's too early," he said. "The show-runner will have a lot to say in that, as will Marvel."
Said Marvel's Carlos Lopez: "We have been playing with some characters and ideas for the powers on the show. Right now nothing is really set in stone, but I guarantee it will be really exciting and on the edge. We have done some roughs for costumes that are very hot, but as of yet not final."
Tibbets said that physical hires for Mutant X will happen in February, followed by scripts in March and production in May or June. The show will likely be shot in Vancouver, British Columbia, although that isn't official yet. Marvel has been working on the show for some time now. "It's a whole new generation, you'll see," Marvel's Avi Arad said earlier this fall. "It's something very unique in live-action."
One of the advantages in working with Tribune - which produced NightMan and currently produces such shows as Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict and Andromeda - is that it owns a chain of television stations. Those stations are on board for Mutant X, which means the show is already cleared in more than 39 percent of the country. "In order to be successful in syndication, you have to be in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles," Tibbets noted of the range of the Tribune's stations.
The Tribune stations include: WPIX, New York; KTLA, Los Angeles; WGN, Chicago; WPHL, Philadelphia; WLVI, Boston; KDAF, Dallas; WBDC, Washington; WATL, Atlanta; KHWB, Houston; KCPQ, Seattle; KTWB, Seattle; WBZL, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale; KWGN, Denver; KTXL, Sacramento; KSWB, San Diego; WXIN, Indianapolis; WTIC, Hartford and New Haven; WXMI, Grand Rapids; WGNO, New Orleans; WNOL, New Orleans; WPMT, Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York; WEWB, Albany. Mutant X will be sold to other stations Jan. 22-25 at the annual meeting of the National Association of Television Program Executives at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
© Comics Continuum
Variety.com 12/6/00
Syndicators: Tribune Ent. taps 'Mutant X': Segal becomes sr. veep
By MELISSA GREGOHOLLYWOOD
Tribune Entertainment Co. has declared syndie action hour "Mutant X" a firm go for 2001 and hired Philip Segal as senior VP for scripted programming and development. Segal will report to Tribune Entertainment prexy-CEO Dick Askin in overseeing all development and programming for the company's scripted content, including action hours "Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda," "Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict," "BeastMaster" and "Mutant X." "Mutant X" is cleared on 60 stations representing coverage of 60% of the nation. Stations on board include Tribune Broadcasting's 22 major market TV stations.
© Variety.com
Comics 2 Film 12/7/00 & 12/29/00
Reported By Sci Fi Wire, 12/7/2000:
Sci Fi Wire reports that Tribune Entertainment's syndicated Mutant X TV show has been signed by stations representing 60 percent of the market. Citing Variety as its source, Sci Fi also reports that Tribune's own 22 major-market TV stations are part of that number. The show is based on the Marvel Comics' series which finds former X-Men member Havok transplanted on an alternate world. The show is targeted for a Fall 2001 release.
Reported By Fandom Comics Newsarama, 12/7/2000:
Hollywood loves to tamper with comic books before putting them on the screen, and fans hate it. When Mutant X hits the small screen next year it will look like the ultimate in concept tampering. Marvel/Tribune's Mutant X TV show will look and feel nothing like the Mutant X comic. Why? Well, according to a recent article by Michael Doran appearing on Fandom Comics Newsarama, the show isn't really based on the comic book at all. They only thing the two projects have in common is the title.
Doran spoke with Rick Ungar, Executive Producer of the show and Prexy at Marvel Character Group, along with Avi Arad about the show. Ungar revealed that they decided on the title without recalling that there had been a comic book with that same name. However, Ungar told Doran, " It was helpful that we already owned the title, needless to say, but that’s kind of where any similarities end. This show really has no relationship to the X-Men, or anything that’s existed in the Marvel Universe before."
Ungar described the show as being about a society where the government has secretly developed ways to genetically engineer certain traits in people. People with the right connections can have their children genetically perfected at birth, making them athletically superior or more intelligent or whatever the parent wants.
Things look great for these kids until they hit a certain age. Then the genetic coding goes wrong causing the engineered humans to mutate. Intelligence turns to super-intelligence. These mutants become proof of the secret government program, and therefore have to be eliminated. This is the dramatic premise of the show. "We really did not want to go back and try and do the X-Men again," Ungar told Doran. "The X-Men have been done really well, and hopefully they’ll continue to be done really well. I really wanted to come up with a new series idea that had a Marvel 'feel' to it for a first run syndicated hour, because I really like that genre. But I really didn’t want it to be an existing Marvel character."
Keeping the Mutant X concept separate from existing Marvel mutants also avoids any conflict that could arise with 20th Century Fox and the X-Men movie franchise.
Reported By Cinescape, 12/29/2000:
Cinescape reports that Katz Television is pushing Marvel's Mutant X TV series as their "first recommendation" to their broadcasting clients. This comes from The Hollywood Reporter who quotes Katz vice president Bill Carroll. Carroll points to the success of Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda as signs of continued life for the declining syndicated programming market.
© Comics 2 Film
Excerpt from Broadcasting & Cable 1/14/01
Excerpt from Kicking into first-run action: Tribune sheds reputation for gab, focuses on building off-net library
By Joe Schlosser 1/14/2001 5:00:00 PM MT
Over the last four years, Tribune has launched four new action hours in first-run syndication, starting with Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict and Nightman in the fall of 1997. In 1999, Tribune launched Beastmaster: The Legend Continues and this season Kevin Sorbo is leading Andromeda to the top of the Nielsen charts. And for fall 2001, Tribune is rolling out Mutant X, a live-action series that hails from the successful Marvel comic book strip and recent feature film The X-Men.
With the exception of Nightman, which was canceled after two seasons, Tribune has enjoyed more success in the weekend game than any other domestic distributor in recent years, including Studios USA, which has dropped both Hercules and Xena.
"A couple of years ago, we took a look at the market and determined that we wanted to become the dominant player in the action-hour arena," says Tribune Entertainment President and CEO Dick Askin. "Because we had a unique distribution platform, which was the strong station group, we decided to really dive right into that. And next fall, we will have four hours of our own in syndication."
Tribune Entertainment's General Sales Manager Steve Mulderrig says the idea to get into the action-hour business made a lot of sense and potential dollars, too.
"Dick's strategy was a smart one," says Mulderrig. "We didn't have a library here, we didn't have any off-network products, at least back then and by getting into the action-hour genre it allowed us to create and build a library we didn't have before. And to have a library in this industry is vital these days."
© Broadcasting & Cable
Comics 2 Film 1/25/01 & 1/30/01
Reported By Comics2Film, 1/25/2001:
Comics2Film has obtained information which sheds light on the upcoming syndicated Mutant X TV show from Marvel. According to a casting breakdown (given to agencies by casting directors when casting is underway), the show is slated to begin filming in Toronto on June 4 of this year. 22 one hour episodes will be filmed. Jay Firestone, Adam Haight, Avi Arad & Rick Unger are Executive Producers. Jamie Paul Rock is the producer.
Although the show is not based on any existing comics or characters, the producers of the show are trying to link it to the X-Men concept. The breakdown provides this description of the storyline: "The series is based on the feature film X-Men. Different characters, different stories. This series is about 5 genetically engineered humans who were all victims of the Human Genome Project-a top secret experiment on fetus's that created children with enhanced gifts. They were made still very human and yet they have capabilities that far exceed those of mankind. The New Mutants, led by Adam Xero, are a 'family' of outlaws with a mission to find the victims of the Human Genome Project...aid them in mastering their abilities, protect them from those who would exploit or harm them, and to provide a sanctuary where they can rebuild their lives.
"There is a government agency called the Genetic Security Agency (GSA), a completely covert intelligence service under the command of Albion Magnus, that seeks out Mutants to bring them into the government's custody. Our New Mutants heroes are not about to be captured by the GSA. The government agency has converted a team of mutants to work for them in their mission to track down all the New Mutants. Each adventure will pit Mutant X against other equally powerful-or even more powerful-mutants, working for the GSA."
So who are these New Mutants? Here are the five parts currently being cast:
Adam Xero: Adam is 30's, handsome, charming and at ease with everyone. He is the leader, strategist, tactician and all around one-man brain trust of the Mutant X. Adam is simply the smartest man alive-one of the special breed of children genetically engineered within the Human Genome Project - a product of a test-tube baby. He knows everything known to man since the dawn of time and can call upon this information at any time. His extreme intellect is his mutation. Even at the age of 10 he was a published writer in the fields of physics, biotechnology and medicine as well as writing bestseller novels that made him a millionaire. He very sexy and has an excellent body. The call sheet requests a physical actor.
Shalimar Fox (aka Shadowfox): She is a fiery and feral beauty utterly in touch with her primal nature. She is a little wild and completely unpredictable... breathtakingly sensual. Outrageous sexiness, with a dark edge. She has strong survival instincts, all of which are the natural outgrowth of her mutant abilities. She also has strength & speed. This actor must be extremely sexy, have a fantastic body and be an amazing athlete.
Brennan Mulwray (aka Fuse): He is the master of electricity-able to literally throw off sparks with enough power coursing through his body to power a small city. A street-smart guy, he is fast talking and wise-cracking with an ingratiating grin. He is a vibrating mass of nervous energy, jumpy and impulsive. He loves being a Superhero and thinks throwing off sparks is a total gas. He is a good-natured, partying, wiseguy, urban roughneck. He has one weakness.... the Mutant X named Emma for whom is is crazy about.
Emma Desalvo (aka Rapport): She is a telepathic, capable of creating a psychic link with any other living thing, sensing empathetically the feelings of others, as well as plant suggestions in humans that affect and direct their behavior. She is beautiful, charming and saucily sexy with a wisdom beyond her years. She can also manipulate the way others feel. She is a sunny, happy young woman with a sense of mischief and prankish nature. Her psychic powers have also given her too much information at times…which sometimes terrifies her but also makes her a strong survivor in the team.
Jesse Kilmartin (aka Synergy): A very complex guy. Son of a self-made millionaire. He grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth. He is a lonely guy who has gone though life unloved and uncared for. He is cautious and defensive. Jesse can literally split his body into three triplicates, each representing a different aspect of his personality. He wants to use his powers to help others in need. He can be aggressive, charming, sensitive and is also able to take on the physical appearance of anyone around him.
The breakdown for the show also mentions that it is "strike proof" making reference to the planned SAG strike. The show is filming in Canada and actors will be required to sign a 5 year option under the Canadian ACTRA union agreement. Casting is expected to be completed in March. Actors are then required to train until the filming start in June.
Reported By Comics2Film, 1/30/2001:
Comics2Film has learned that Howard Chaykin is on board the Mutant X TV series as Executive Consultant. Chaykin has previously been a Supervising Producer on the Viper TV series and is a veteran comic creator, creating such titles as American Flagg and Power and Glory.
© Comics 2 Film
Cinescape 1/30/01
TRIBUNE UNVEILS MUTANT X LOGO, SHOW DESCRIPTION Plus, Chaykin joins Mutant X crew
By: ERIC J. MOREELS, EDITOR Dateline: Tuesday, January 30, 2001
Tribune Entertainment has released a logo and a show description for Mutant X, the new television series from Marvel Entertainment.
"Mutant X represents the next generation of Marvel Entertainment`s highly popular franchise of mutant characters," the show description reads. "The series details the exploits of Mutant X, a group of humans bound together by a powerful bond of genetically engineered powers of an extraordinary nature. Realizing that genetics projects have spun out of control, the government forms the Office Of Mutant Research, whose sole mission is to capture all mutants in order to `repair` them. Mutant X are on a mission to seek out fellow mutants to protect them from the government`s crusade and recruit them to further a guiding principle of peace and harmony between the mutants and the rest of humanity."
Mutant X is set to launch in the fall of 2001. The series is not based on the recently-cancelled Marvel Comic of the same name.
In related news, the Comics 2 Film Web site reports that recently-announced Cable co-writer Howard Chaykin will be serving as an Executive Consultant on the Mutant X series. Chaykin`s resume also includes Supervising Producer on Viper.
Comics Continuum 1/30/01
MUTANT X TV UPDATE
Tribune Entertainment has released a logo and a show description for Mutant X, the new television series from Marvel Entertainment.
Here's how Tribune describes the show:
"Mutant X represents the next generation of Marvel Entertainment's highly popular franchise of mutant characters. The series details the exploits of Mutant X, a group of humans bound together by a powerful bond of genetically engineered powers of an extraordinary nature. Realizing that genetics projects have spun out of control, the government forms the Office Of Mutant Research, whose sole mission is to capture all mutants in order to 'repair' them. Mutant X are on a mission to seek out fellow mutants to protect them from the government's crusade and recruit them to further a guiding principle of peace and harmony between the mutants and the rest of humanity."
The show, created by Marvel's Rick Ungar and Avi Arad, is not based on the comic of the same name. Mutant X will launch in the fall.
© Comics Continuum
The Official Mutant X Website 3/2/01
Development Updates 3/2/01
3/2/01 -- Things are moving forward at a fast and furious pace for MUTANT_X as we look forward to the start of production in June.
Extensive casting sessions have been completed.
The writers are all hard at work coming up with story ideas and beginning to put together scripts.
We move into our Toronto offices next week and start setting up for production. We are already assembling the top designers and visual effects people to add to the MUTANT X team.
© The Official Mutant X Website
Excerpt from Broadcasting & Cable 3/11/01
A cache of characters: Marvel Studios plans animated TV spin-offs of 20 superhero theatrical films
By Susanne Ault 3/11/2001 5:00:00 PM MT
Developing a good TV show is hard to do, but how can you fail with superheroes running the show? Marvel Studios, the production company behind last summer's smash film The X-Men and summer 2002's big buzz Spiderman, is hoping to power its way through a slew of TV projects with, well, superhuman strength.
....
Crafting a live-action TV companion to upcoming Marvel films might work out fine, "but the TV version will end up being a low-budget version of what's on the big screen. So there's no reason to do it," insists Marvel Studios CEO Avi Arad, adding that animation can be punched up just as well without investing in a lot in special effects.
Yet Marvel is also readying live-action syndicated series for 2002, to be based on comic properties not in its film pipeline. The company is looking for a suitable follow-up to its 2001 hour, Tribune Entertainment-distributed Mutant X.
....
Tribune seems happy to consider other Marvel series, since it has positioned Mutant X, about a group of genetically engineered humans, as its marquee action-hour project for next fall.
"There's no reason this couldn't be the first of a couple of projects," says Tribune Entertainment chief Dick Askin. Mutant X has yet to debut, so "it's a little too early to tell," he admits, "but we're really optimistic about our relationship with Marvel."
© Broadcasting & Cable
Comics 2 Film 3/12/01
Reported By Comics2Film, 3/12/2001:
Fans looking for a sneak peek at the Mutant X syndicated TV series can now tune their web browsers to MutantXTV.com. The website opened earlier this month. It gives a description of the show's concept, a run down of the creative people involved and ongoing reporting on the production effort.
According to the site, extensive casting sessions have been completed and staff writers are starting to bang out scripts. Howard Chaykin is the head writer for the show. Staff writers include Mark Lisson ( Mighty Joe Young), David Newman ( Superman I, II, III) and Elizabeth Keyishian ( Queen of Swords).
© Comics 2 Film
Mutant X Official Site 3/15/01
Development Update 3/15/01
3/15/01 -- Things keep moving forward.
Casting - We are now down to a short list. Screen tests are being done.
Production design - Rocco Matteo (La Femme Nikita) is working on set designs. On his drawing board are various vehicles the MUTANT_X team will be using as well as the MUTANT_X Sanctuary.
Writers - Howard Chaykin and staff are developing a variety of mutant characters.
Costumes - Howard Chaykin is overseeing the look of the Mutants and the GSA agents.
© Mutant X Official Site
Cinescape 3/16/01
MUTANT X CASTING DOWN TO SHORT LIST Plus, set and character designs underway.
By: ERIC J. MOREELS, EDITOR Dateline: Friday, March 16, 2001
According to the official Mutant X Web site, casting for the syndicated TV series from Tribune Entertainment is now down to a short list with screen tests currently being conducted.
Set designs are being developed by Rocco Matteo of La Femme Nikita fame. Matteo is also developing various vehicles that the Mutant X team will be using, as well as their Mutant X Sanctuary headquarters.
On the costume front, Head Writer Howard Chaykin is overseeing the look of both the mutant characters and the GSA government agents. Chaykin and his writing staff are also developing a variety of mutant characters for the series.
© Cinescape
Comics 2 Film 3/16/01, 3/30/01 & 4/20/01
Reported By The Official Mutant X Website, 3/16/2001:
A progress report for the Mutant X TV show was posted on the official website yesterday. According to the report, the producers of the show are down to a short list of actors and screen tests are underway.
Rocco Matteo (La Femme Nikita) is working on set designs which include vehicles used by the Mutant X team and the group's "Sanctuary."
Howard Chaykin and the writing team are developing a variety of mutant characters. Chaykin is also overseeing the costume designs for the mutants as well as the government's shadowy Genetic Security Agency.
Reported By The Official Mutant X Website, 3/30/2001:
The official Mutant X website reports that the three of the five lead roles in the show have been cast. No names are give but one of the actors is said to be familiar to fans.
The site also reports that the show has hired a stunt coordinator from Hong Kong (also unnamed). Costume designer Laurie Drew is working on designs with Howard Chaykin overseeing. Other preliminary designs have been turned in and show scripts are also flowing in.
Reported By Jam Showbiz!, 4/27 and MutantXTV.com, 4/20/2001:
The Toronto Sun (via Jam Showbiz!) has revealed the four Canadian actors cast in the Mutant X TV show.
Victoria Pratt plays Shalimar Fox (a.k.a. ShadowFox), a half human-half animal mutant. Fans may remember Pratt as the terminally tough Sarge on Cleopatra 2525.
Victor Webster has been cast as the show's electricity wielding Brennan Mulwray (a.k.a. Fuse). Webster is best known for his role on the daytime soap Days of Our Lives.
Lauren Lee Smith plays the telepathic and empathic Emma Desalvo (a.k.a. Rapport). Smith has appeared on an episode of Dark Angel.
Finally we have Forbes March as Jesse Kilmartin (a.k.a. Synergy). Synergy can split his body in to triplicates, each representing an aspect of his personality. He can also take on the appearances of others. March has appeared on All My Children.
The write up states that the role of mutant leader Adam Xero has yet to be cast. Also open is the role of Albion Magnus, head of the evil Genetic Security Agency (GSA).
According the the official Mutant X website the foursome will undergo extensive training next month. The blurb on the site states, "we will be harnessing them up with both our Stunt and Fight Coordinators for some real training in wirework. The results should literally blow you away!"
There's been no new news on the lawsuits surround the show. Fox contends that Mutant X is a thinly disguised spin-off of it's movie franchise X-Men. Marvel contends that the show is original and unrelated.
Regardless, current plans are to start production in June. According to The Sun, the show's per-episode budget is just under $2 million. By casting Canadian actors who are under the ACTRA contract, the producers of the show have made it impervious to the possible SAG actors strike.
Other news for the official site:
Set designer Rocco Matteo and his crew are busy building the Mutant X Sanctuary and the GSA headquarters on a Toronto sound stage.
The Directors of Photography are developing "new and innovative looks" for the series
Howard Chaykin and the writing team are cranking out new scripts.
© Comics 2 Film
Cinescape 4/21/01
MOVING DAY FOR MUTANT X TV CAST, CREW
By: ERIC J. MOREELS, EDITOR Dateline: Saturday, April 21, 2001
According to a recent report at the Mutant X TV Web site, the crew of the Tribune Entertainment syndicated TV series have moved into their Toronto studios which come complete with a sound stage big enough to hold two complete sets.
The report also confirmed that four of the six major roles for the show have been cast, with only Adam Xero and the villain, Eckhart, remaining uncast at this stage. The as-yet-unnamed cast members are set to relocate to Toronto in May and will undergo extensive training with both Stunt and Fight Coordinators.
© Cinescape
Mutant X Official Site 4/30/01
Development Update 4/30/01
4/30/01 -- Another look behind the scenes:
Sets are rapidly coming together as building occurs around the clock.
Camera tests next week to see what colors and textures/materials will read best on camera.
Wardrobe has designed individual styles for each actor and is in the process of buying and making the coolest clothes.
A training room is being constructed adjacent to the studio for our actors to practice wire-work in. The actors will start arriving on May 13th and immediately begin training.
The director list is almost complete, incorporating the most innovative and experienced directors that we can find.
We have a shooting order for the first five episodes and a new wave of first drafts will be delivered starting next week.
Location scouts have been occurring and our exterior of the GSA has been decided upon. Very cool and creepy!
Final cast information will be announced when casting is completed.
© Mutant X Official Site
Mutant X Official Site 5/24/01
Development Updates 5/24/01
5/24/01 -- Lots of meetings this week:
Final concept meetings are being held as we get ready to start production on June 4th.
We have the final cast, including actors for Eckhart and Adam.
Casting sessions took place for the guest star roles in the first episode.
Discussed visual representation of each Mutant's powers with our Visual Effects Supervisor.
Held meetings with our Directors and Directors of Photography to discuss new and bold looks for the show.
Scouted locations that will serve as exteriors for both the GSA and the MUTANT X Sanctuary.
Watched our actors doing wirework. All were impressive with Jesse and Brennan already doing backflips.
Met with a composer to discuss the theme music.
We're looking at animation and effects for the show's opening credits.
The sets are almost done and they look incredible!!! They're huge with lots of levels for action and camera angles.
© Mutant X Official Site
Comics 2 Film 5/24/01-7/01
Reported By MutantXTV.com, 5/24/2001:
The official Mutant X website reports that production on the show is set to start on June 4th. The cast has been finalized, although official announcements have not yet been made. No word is given who is to play mutant leader Adam Xero or the evil head of the Genetic Security Agency. Casting is underway for the guest stars in the first episode.
Cast members have been training with wires for two weeks now. The site reports that Victor Webster (Fuse) and Forbes March (Synergy) are already doing backflips.
Meetings have been held with the show's Directors and Directors of Photography to discuss "new and bold looks for the show." Also under discussion was the visual representation of the different mutant powers.
The enormous sets for the show are almost completed.
Reported By Comics2Film, 5/30/2001:
John Shea is Adam Xero
Last week the official Mutant X website posted an update indicating that casting had been finalized, including the roles of the show's mutant leader, Adam Xero, and the main antagonist, Eckhardt.
Comics2Film has received a tip that the role of Xero will be played by none other than veteran actor John Shea. Shea's credit's include over 40 movies and TV shows. He may be best known to comic and TV fans for his turn as Lex Luthor on Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Shea made his directorial debut with 1998's Southie starring Donnie Wahlberg and Rose McGowan.
The casting sides for the show, which circulated in January, described the character as "the leader, strategist, tactician and all around one-man brain trust of the Mutant X. Adam is simply the smartest man alive-one of the special breed of children genetically engineered within the Human Genome Project - a product of a test-tube baby. He knows everything known to man since the dawn of time and can call upon this information at any time. His extreme intellect is his mutation."
Shea's team of mutant actors includes Forbes March (All My Children), Victoria Pratt (Cleopatra 2525), Lauren Lee Smith (Dark Angel) and Victor Webster (Days of Our Lives). Comics2Film has not yet been able to determine who has been cast in the role of the villainous Eckhardt.
Reported By Jam! Showbiz, 6/1/2001:
Casting on the Mutant X TV show has been finalized. The Toronto Sun (via Jam! Showbiz) has revealed the actor who will play the ongoing villain of the piece. Award winning Canadian actor Tom McCamus has been cast in the role of Marcus Eckhardt, the mutant-hunting head of the Genetic Security Agency (GSA).
McCamus starred in the 1993 feature called I Love A Man In Uniform for which he won won a Genie award for Best Actor. More recently he can be seen in a supporting role in The Claim starring Wes Bentley.
Early casting sides described the GSA as " a completely covert intelligence service... that seeks out Mutants to bring them into the government's custody. The government agency has converted a team of mutants to work for them in their mission to track down all the New Mutants. Each adventure will pit Mutant X against other equally powerful-or even more powerful-mutants, working for the GSA."
The same casting sides named this character Albion Magnus. The name was likely changed due to potential confusion with a certain X-Men villain. The similarities between the two properties have lead to mutual lawsuits between Marvel and 20th Century Fox.
This dispute likely led to the following disclaimer which recently appeared on the official Mutant X site: "You may be aware that Marvel Entertainment, Fireworks Entertainment and Tribune Entertainment are named in a dispute with Twentieth Century Fox, with Fox claiming that there may be some confusion about a relationship between X-Men and our Mutant X. We have made it clear that the only relationship between X-Men and our Mutant X television series is that each originates with Marvel, the publisher of Spider Man, The Incredible Hulk and a whole host of other successful properties featuring superheroes. We want you to know that Mutant X is not based on the X-Men property and is not in any way related to, licensed or approved by, or associated with the motion picture X-Men or Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation."
Reported By MutantXTV.com, 6/7/2001:
The official Mutant X website posted the finalized descriptions of the major characters for the show. Fans will notice that these descriptions are altered from the very early takes culled from casting call sheets. Most notably, the mutant leader's last name has been dropped, and the villain's name has been changed entirely. Here are your Mutant X characters:
Adam ( played by John Shea): Adam, whose last name is shrouded in mystery, is arguably the smartest man alive - the strategist, tactician and moral center of Mutant X. It was his genetic research that inadvertently created New Mutants - and he takes as his responsibility the salvation of these innocent victims of society. Adam has the serenity of a warrior poet - the perfect leader for Mutant X.
Shalimar Fox ( played by Victoria Pratt): Shalimar Fox is in her mid 20s, fiery, feral and stunning, a sensual beauty utterly in touch with her primal self. Blessed with both human and animal DNA, Shalimar has the strength, speed, and cunning of the animal kingdom…with a tempestuous nature to match. She is uncannily fast, inhumanly agile and sensually feline. Walking the line between human and feral, Shalimar is a little wild and completely unpredictable.
Brennan Mulwray ( played by Victor Webster): Brennan Mulwray is a tough, yet vulnerable, street-smart wiseguy in his late 20s-with the astonishing ability to generate enough electricity from his own body to power a small city. A fast talking cavalier with an ingratiating grin, Brennan is a master of electricity - who throws bolts of energy from his fingertips. Brennan loves being a New Mutant - throwing off sparks is an absolute blast.
Jesse Kilmartin ( played by Forbes March): Jesse Kilmartin is a sweetly naive and good-natured guy in his early 20s who can alter the density of his body at will - going from rock solid as a stone wall one moment-then walking through a stone wall the next. Jesse led a sheltered childhood, and still has a lot to learn about the harsh realities of the world, but he's more than proved himself an invaluable member of Mutant X.
Emma Desalvo ( played by Lauren Lee Smith): Emma DeSalvo is a mischievous knockout in her early 20's - a telempath who can communicate her own feelings - and receive the feelings of others around her. Emma can't read thoughts, but she can sense in great detail an emotional state of mind - and learn an awful lot about another person from it. When these gifts combine with her party girl personality, fun and trouble are a double guarantee.
Marcus Eckhart ( played by Tom McCamus): Markus Eckhart is the head of the Genetic Security Agency - a man who hunts down New Mutants for his conscience and his country. Eckhart blames Adam for the failed experiment that requires him to be forever insulated in an impermeable artificial skin. His distaste for New Mutants grows everyday that Mutant X exists. He won't rest until all these anomalies are under his control.
Reported By Comicon.com Newsarama, 7/16/2001:
Fans interested in the comic book based on the upcoming Mutant X TV series can check out Comicon.com Newsarama for a preview. The site features five pages of artwork from newcomer Lee Ferguson. The preview is part of an interview Matt Brady did with Ferguson. In the interview Ferguson talks about breaking in to comics and working on the new book with scribe David Tischman.
Reported By MutantXTV.com, 7/16/2001:
According to the official Mutant X website, the syndicated Marvel show is set to make its debut the first week in October.
Playback Magazine 7/23/01
Fireworks flies with Mutant X
Production is well underway in Toronto on Fireworks Entertainment's latest sci-fi, action series Mutant X.
Bearing some striking similarities to X-Men, but with no association to the 20th Century Fox franchise, the one-hour series chronicles a group of human mutants fighting for their safety and freedom from the secret agency that used them many years earlier as test subjects for genetic experimentation.
After discovering the extraordinary and sometimes deadly powers of the mutated test subjects, the agency seeks to exploit them. The only hope for the mutants is to take refuge with Mutant X, a band of young mutants led by a mysterious leader.
Fireworks, in association with Tribune Entertainment and Marvel Studios, is shooting the 44-part series June 4 to Feb. 25, 2002 in studio at the Downsview Airforce Base with producer Jamie Paul Rock (La Femme Nikita) and a bevy of Canadian directors, including T.J. Scott (Xena) and John Cassar (La Femme Nikita).
John Shea stars in the series, along with Canadian actors Victoria Pratt (Cleopatra 2525), Victor Webster (Days of Our Lives), Forbes March (All My Children) and Lauren Lee Smith (Get Carter).
Howard Chaykin (The Flash) heads the series' team of writers, which includes Mark Lisson (MacGyver), David L. Newman (The Sentinel) and Elizabeth Keyishian (Queen of Swords).
Spin Entertainment (Cyberworld) is handling F/X.
The series will premier with 22 episodes on Global Television in the fall. It has sold in at least 146 U.S. markets, likely airing on the WB Network, in which Tribune owns a minority interest.
Fireworks has international rights, with Tribune retaining the U.S.
© Playback Magazine
Reported By The Magrathea/SFTV Pages, 7/24/2001:
Although we missed it at the Comic-Con International, Lee Whiteside of The Magrathea/SFTV Pages picked up a publicity photo of the Mutant X cast at a panel held by Tribune Entertainment. The photo features the show's stars Victoria Pratt as ShadowFox, Victor Webster as Fuse, John Shea as Adam, Lauren Lee Smith as Rapport and Forbes March as Synergy.
Tribune talked about the show following a discussion of it's current hit Andromeda. For a complete write-up of the Andromeda panel check out The Magrathea/SFTV Pages.
Cinescape: 7/27/01
MUTANT X TV UPDATE: FOUR EPISODES `IN THE CAN`
By: ERIC J. MOREELS, Editor Dateline: Friday, July 27, 2001
According to the most recent update at the official Mutant X Web site, the first four episodes of the Tribune Entertainment syndicated TV series are "in the can", with the fifth having begun filming last Wednesday. Entitled "Crime Of The New Century", the fifth episode is billed as "an amazing kidnapping tale, but with a new mutant twist".
The building of the Mutant X team's aircraft - the name of which will be announced soon - has been completed. The existing sets may also be expanded, according to the update.
The theme music for the show has been recorded with a full orchestra. According to the site, the theme is "both progressive and heroic with a truly original sound". The opening credits, which tell the Mutant X story "with some great visuals", are almost complete.
Last but not least, the cast of Mutant X will be appearing at the Toronto Sci-Fi/Comic Convention on August 25th.
© Cinescape
Mutant X Official Site 7/25/01
Development Update 7/25/01
7/25/01 -- All kinds of things are happening:
As of today, we are currently shooting our fifth episode entitled "Crime Of The New Century." It's an amazing kidnapping tale, but with a new mutant twist.
With four episodes already in the can, there is a lot to be excited about. The cast has already started acting and feeling like a family. What's incredible is how amazing the action looks. FYI -- most of the wirework is done by the cast themselves.
We have finished building our MUTANT-X aircraft (name to be announced later) and we are now looking at expanding our existing sets.
We had our first gallery shoot a couple of weeks ago and the photos look amazing. Expect to see the shots in the coming months.
We have recorded our theme music with a full orchestra and it sounds amazing! It's both progressive and heroic with a truly original sound. We are almost finished with our opening credits that tell the MUTANT-X story with some great visuals.
Look for the MUTANT-X cast (and other guests) at the Toronto Sci-Fi/Comic Convention August 25th.
© Mutant X Official Site