Ryan Coogler has officially confirmed he is moving forward with a reboot of the iconic series The X-Files, promising a modern revival that will honor the beloved structure of the original. In recent interviews, the director of Black Panther and Sinners revealed the new series will be his immediate next project, featuring a mix of standalone “Monster of the Week” episodes and a broader, overarching conspiracy storyline. This dual-format approach was a defining characteristic of the 1990s sci-fi phenomenon and a key reason for its enduring popularity.
Coogler shared the news while promoting his latest film, Sinners, confirming his deep personal and professional commitment to the reboot. “I’m working on X-Files, bro,” Coogler stated on The Last Podcast on the Left. “That’s what’s immediately next. I’ve been excited about that for a long time and I’m fired up to get back to it”. He emphasized that capturing the original’s spirit is non-negotiable, directly stating, “It wouldn’t be X-Files if we didn’t do both”.
What to Expect from the New Series
A primary focus for Coogler is delivering genuine scares and compelling mysteries. He teased that “some of those episodes, if we do our jobs right, will be really fucking scary”. Beyond the frights, he aims to craft a show that serves long-time fans while being accessible to new audiences, hoping to “make something really great” for dedicated viewers and “maybe find some new ones”.
The project has been in development since at least March 2023, when original series creator Chris Carter first revealed he had spoken with Coogler about a new take on the franchise. Carter confirmed he is not directly involved in the new show but has given Coogler his blessing, acting as a “cheerleader” for the project. He noted that Coogler has “some good ideas” and plans to feature a diverse cast.
A Personal Connection and a New Cast
A significant driver for Coogler is a personal connection to the original series, which he watched with his mother. He compared it to his connection with the Rocky films through his father. “My mom means the world to me… so this is a big one for me. I want to do right by her and the fans,” Coogler told Variety, noting his mother has even read some of his early material for the reboot and is “fired up”.
The reboot will introduce a new, diverse cast of characters. While specific leads have not been officially confirmed, acclaimed actress Danielle Deadwyler (Station Eleven) has been linked to a leading role. When asked about casting rumors, Coogler has played it close to the vest, responding to questions about Deadwyler, Gillian Anderson, and David Duchovny with, “I can neither confirm nor deny”.
Will Mulder and Scully Return?
The involvement of original stars Gillian Anderson (Dana Scully) and David Duchovny (Fox Mulder) remains one of the biggest questions. Coogler has confirmed he has spoken with Anderson, calling her “amazing” and “incredible,” and added “fingers crossed there” regarding her potential involvement. Anderson herself has praised Coogler’s vision, telling ITV1’s This Morning, “If anyone were to do it, I think you are the perfect person and best of luck, call me”. She left the door open for a possible return, stating, “At some point, if the phone rings… perhaps”.
Both Anderson and Duchovny have been non-committal in other interviews but have not ruled out participating. Their potential roles are widely speculated to be cameo appearances rather than central parts, suggesting the reboot will primarily focus on new agents tackling the unexplained.
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Navigating a Modern Conspiracy Landscape
Coogler and his team face the challenge of updating a series deeply rooted in 1990s conspiracy culture for a modern audience. Some analysts suggest the reboot might benefit from moving away from the original’s central alien colonization plot, or “mytharc,” to explore other supernatural threats. This would allow the show to maintain its investigative core while avoiding storytelling ruts and potentially distancing itself from contemporary conspiracy theory discourse.
The director has sought advice from industry veterans, including Vince Gilligan—who began his career writing for The X-Files before creating Breaking Bad—on how to transition from film to television. With the project officially in active development at Disney, which now owns the franchise, fans can expect more concrete news on casting and a potential release window in the coming year.
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