Ryan Coogler, the director behind hits like Creed and Black Panther, is now focusing on a new mission: rebooting The X-Files. He recently shared that this project is deeply personal, inspired by his mother’s love for the classic 1990s sci-fi series. Coogler is moving from big-screen blockbusters to television, a shift he says requires learning a whole new way of storytelling. The reboot, which was first hinted at in 2023, is now the “immediately next” project on his list following the success of his 2025 film Sinners.
A Mother’s Influence on the New X-Files
For Ryan Coogler, family has often guided his biggest projects. He made Creed because his father loved the Rocky movies. Now, he is tackling The X-Files for his mother, Joselyn.
“Like my relationship with ‘Rocky’ with my dad, ‘The X-Files’ is one of those things with my mom,” Coogler said. “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. My mom has read some of the stuff I wrote for it. She’s fired up.”
His mother’s excitement is a key motivator. Coogler has confirmed he has spoken with Gillian Anderson, who played Agent Dana Scully in the original series. He described her as “incredible” and said “fingers crossed” about her potential involvement. However, Anderson later clarified that their talk was simply for Coogler to inform her about the reboot, and no official deal for her return exists.
From Movie Director to “TV Person”
Coogler is known for crafting powerful, contained stories for film, such as Fruitvale Station and Black Panther. He admits that moving to a TV series format is a significant change. A conversation with another writer helped him understand the core difference between the two mediums.
“She said how she sees movies is you’re looking at the most important moment in a character’s life, and with TV you’re looking at the most important journey in a character’s life… that hit me pretty hard,” Coogler shared.
He openly stated, “I’m a movie person… and I’m learning to be a television person right now.” This shift suggests the new X-Files will likely focus on long-term character development and a serialized story, rather than just standalone “monster-of-the-week” episodes.
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The Vision: Scary, Diverse, and a Fresh Start
Coogler has given fans a glimpse of what to expect from his version of the paranormal investigation series. He promises that the show will deliver genuine scares. The director is also continuing his career-long practice of championing diverse casting. The original series creator, Chris Carter, has given Coogler his blessing and noted the director’s plan for a diverse cast.
While it is a reboot and not a direct continuation, there is interest from original cast members. Actor Robert Patrick, who played Agent John Doggett in later seasons, has expressed strong desire to return if asked.
Robert Patrick said: “It’d [be] interesting to see what’s happened to him in the elapsed time… That’s the character that’s most dear to my heart.”
The most prominent casting rumor points to actress Danielle Deadwyler being in talks for a lead role. When asked about Deadwyler or the return of original stars Anderson and David Duchovny, Coogler’s response has been consistent: “I can neither confirm nor deny.”
What’s Next for the Reboot?
The project is in active development under Coogler’s overall deal with Walt Disney Television. While no release date has been announced, Coogler has confirmed it is his next priority. The original X-Files series ran for nine seasons from 1993 to 2001 and was revived for two more seasons in 2016 and 2018. This new version aims to honor what longtime fans loved while finding a new generation of viewers.
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