Fox Launches 'mutant' Attack

One of syndicated television's most anticipated action hours for the fall, the Tribune Entertainment-distributed "Mutant X," has become the center of a high-powered legal tussle initiated by 20th Century Fox to stop the production.

Fox claims that the new television show, on which Tribune is partnered with Marvel Comics and Fireworks Entertainment, is a look-alike of its boxoffice hit "X-Men."

"Although we value our good relationship with Marvel and hope this can be resolved, we must take all appropriate action to protect our very valuable 'X-Men' rights," a statement issued Wednesday by 20th Century Fox said.

The new TV weekly action-adventure hour chronicles the adventures of a group of human mutants who are bound together by extraordinary genetically engineered powers.

Within hours of the Fox suit being filed, Marvel initiated its own suit at Manhattan Federal Court stating that "Mutant" is totally different from "X-Men."

The new TV series is based on the "X-Men" series conceived in 1963. Marvel later sold film rights to the X-Men characters to Fox.

Tribune and its partners on the series are at an advanced stage of distribution. It was a highly recommended show on the influential syndication report by station rep group Katz Television at the big NATPE syndicated TV market in January. Tribune officials could not be contacted for comment at press time.