Ryan Coogler Gives Update on His Planned “X-Files” Reboot

After no less than eleven seasons totaling a jaw-dropping two hundred and eighteen episodes, two theatrical feature films, video game adaptations and various and sundry comic book iterations, it’s quite clear to anyone even paying an iota of attention what The X-Files –  Chris Carter’s deep-dive into the wonky land of conspiracies, cryptids and ghosts – is really all about: Special FBI Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson). In tandem, this paranormal investigative duo has tackled vast government conspiracies, alien colonization plans, unexpected and mysterious illnesses and pregnancies and – in perhaps their single biggest feat – the ever-fickle Nielsen Ratings. Thank God Duchovny and Anderson have that rare Hollywood ingredient known as ‘chemistry.’ Simply put, as long as these two are onboard for the latest X-Files revival, most aficionados of the series will tag along, too. But what happens when the return of one or (heaven forbid) both is called into question?

 From our John A. Keel admirers over at Bloody Disgusting comes an update on the long gestating revival of the science fiction television classic The X-Files. For anyone with a memory which goes beyond today’s latest headlines, you might recall that no less of a creative visionary as Ryan Coogler of Creed and Black Panther fame has expressed his passion for the X-Files franchise in no uncertain terms: This lauded director began spearheading an honest-to-Pete reboot of the show a couple of years back, exciting some longtime fans while making a whole passel of diehard X-Files admirers nervous. And who can blame them? After all, it was noted pretty early on that this new iteration of the series would not have any active involvement from the very man who created and stewarded the series since 1993, Chris Carter. However, those concerns might be for naught. In interviews, Coogler sounds like he not only knows his X-Files speak, but he also shares the fans love of the two characters who have, barring a contract dispute here and there over the years, been a constant on the weird landscape of UFOs and vampires, aforementioned Fox and Mulder. That being said, what’s the status not only on the revival series, but on securing the participation of alums Duchovny and Anderson?

In a recent podcast interview, Coogler brought fans up to date on his efforts to bring back The X-Files, accenting that this backburner of a project will be his very next project.

“I’ve been excited about that for a long time, and I’m fired up to get back to it,” enthused Coogler about his planned foray into the world of shadows and conspiracy. “Some of those episodes, if we do our jobs right, will be really fucking scary…We’re going to try to make something really great and make something for the real X-Files fans and maybe find some new ones.”

That’s all fine and well, Mr. Coogler, but what about those two perennial anchors of The X-Files, Mulder and Scully? Have the contract negotiations even begun for these two critical pieces of the series?

“Fingers crossed there,” Coogler says about the return of Mulder and Scully. Anderson has stated she might be curious about coming back to her signature role under Coogler, yet Duchovny remains, frustratingly, not committed to the project as of yet.

We’re card-carrying X-Files nuts around these parts Dear and Constant Reader, so keep those high-beam flashlights trained on Vents for any and all updates on the possible return of Dana Scully and Fox Mulder!