The X-Files, a beloved series that aired from 1993 to 2002 and saw a brief revival in 2016, is set to return once more, this time reimagined with a frightful glow from the mind of Ryan Coogler.
After releasing his critically acclaimed film Sinners, Coogler quickly shifted gears to begin work on HURRICANE KATRINA: RACE AGAINST TIME, a docuseries marking the 20th anniversary of the devastating storm. The series, now streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, dives into the racial and political failures surrounding the tragedy.
The X-Files is a major and enduring property that Fox isn’t ready to abandon. When the acclaimed director pitched the reboot, the network backed Coolger’s vision. Chris Carter, the original creator of the The X-Files, is not involved in the reboot and passed the mantle to Coogler.
During the pitch, Carter asked about Coogler’s ideas and expressed support for the direction he wanted to take the series.
“No matter what, he’s got a hard job,” Carter said in an Inverse interview. “Casting is a hard job. Mounting it is a hard job. All the problems that I dealt with are going to be his problems.”
While the project has been rumored for some time, Coogler confirmed it as his next endeavor during an appearance on The Last Podcast on the Left.
“I’m working on X-Files,” Coogler said. “That’s what’s immediately next. I’ve been excited about this for a long time and I’m fired up to get back to it. You know, some of those episodes, if we do our jobs right, will be really f**cking scary.”
Gillian Anderson, who played the lead role for the original, has said she might return if the timing is right.
Although casting details have not been confirmed, Coogler has expressed interest in introducing a more diverse cast compared to the primarily white cast of the original. While it’s uncertain who may return, fans can look forward to seeing what Coogler brings to the iconic series.
“We’re going to try to make something really great, bro, and make something for the real X-Files fans and maybe find some new ones,” Coolger said.
Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com / 20th Century Fox
