Ryan Coogler‘s upcoming “The X-Files” reboot got quite the boost from one of the original series’ stars.
EW reports that Gillian Anderson, Dana Scully herself, hyped Coogler’s new Hulu show at Awesome Con in Washington DC two weekends ago. “We’ve had a few conversations,” the actress said about Coogler. “He’s such a cool guy, and so talented. And the pilot script is really good. I would say, have an open mind and give it a chance, because it’s gonna be f*cking cool. It really is.”
A reboot of “The X-Files” has been in the works at Hulu since 2023, and Coogler cast Danielle Deadwyler to star in the series. But what about Anderson returning as Scully, or David Duchovny back as Fox Mulder? Coogler revealed last year that he’s “had conversations” with Anderson about a potential return for Scully, but it’s unclear whether he’s done the same with Duchovny. In any case, expect Coogler’s show to be very much its own thing, with Coogler himself describing it as “really f*cking scary.”
FAnderson echoed Coogler’s sentiment at Awesome Con, calling his “X-files” reboot “different” and “special,” and implored fans of the original show to “give it a break.” The actress also hyped up Coogler in a previous interview with EW last year, calling the director “the perfect person” to reboot the cult-favorite show. If Anderson’s endorsement doesn’t convince fans of the original series, maybe Coogler’s recent success at the Oscars with “Sinners” will: the film won four of its record sixteen award nominations at the ceremony, including Best Original Screenplay for Coogler.
But then, some “X-Files” fans may welcome a reboot for the long-running series after the mixed reception to the 2016 and 2018 revivals. The original show premiered on Fox in 1993 and ran for nine seasons, including a feature film, subtitled “Fight The Future,” in 1998. Another movie arrived in 2008, then the previously mentioned Hulu revivals over the last decade. Those two recent batches of episodes garnered an audience, but it was clear the show’s original concept was running on fumes. Expect Coogler to provide a much-needed jolt (and maybe Mulder and Scully’s absence is necessary for that, too).
But for more “X-Files” to reach Hulu subscribers, Coogler’s pilot starring Deadwyler will need to get the series green light first. Let’s see what happens there.
