Chris Carter confirms David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson are "pretty sure" to return for Ryan Coogler's X-Files reboot.
Chris Carter, an executive producer on the new series, has strongly suggested that David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson will reprise their iconic roles as Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. Speaking while promoting a director's cut of The X-Files: I Want to Believe, Carter told Polygon he is "pretty sure" the original stars will appear in Ryan Coogler's interpretation, marking the most significant update on the reboot's connection to its past.
Coogler's Hulu-ordered pilot, which he wrote and directed, will introduce new FBI agents, played by Himesh Patel and Danielle Deadwyler, tasked with reviving the paranormal investigations. While Coogler has promised a mix of standalone "monster-of-the-week" episodes and overarching conspiracies, his reverence for the source material is evident. He sought counsel from X-Files luminaries, including Vince Gilligan, before embarking on the project.
Gillian Anderson had previously expressed hesitancy about returning to the character of Scully after the 2018 revival. However, she met with Coogler, praised him as the ideal choice to revive the franchise, and confirmed she had read the pilot script. This suggests Coogler's vision has genuinely piqued her interest in exploring the character's future, a feat years of badgering could not achieve.
David Duchovny, while always effusive about Mulder, has been more reserved about a full return, only confirming a conversation with Coogler and wishing the team well. Carter's comments, however, offer no specifics on the nature of their potential appearances. Whether it will be a cameo, a recurring role, or a symbolic passing of the torch to the new generation of truth-seekers remains an intriguing mystery.
The potential return of Mulder and Scully underscores Coogler's understanding of their pivotal partnership to the original series' success. While Patel and Deadwyler's agents will inherit the basement office, the presence of the original duo ensures a powerful link to the franchise's enduring legacy. This move promises to satisfy long-time fans while establishing a compelling narrative bridge for new audiences.
