The X-Files Reboot, Odds on Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny Returning

_{The truth is out there. (Image: Collection Christophel / Alamy)}

The X-Files super-fans have gone without new episodes of their beloved show for seven long years. But that looks set to change in the near future.

Black Panther director Ryan Coogler recently confirmed he is working on an X-Files reboot, admitting it is "immediately next" for him in terms of his upcoming projects.

Speaking on the Last Podcast on the Left, he said, "I’ve been excited about that for a long time, and I’m fired up to get back to it. Some of those episodes, if we do our jobs right, will be really f-ing scary.

"We’re gonna try to make something really great, bro, and really be something for the real X-Files fans, and maybe find some new ones."

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The iconic show featured David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson in the roles of FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, who investigated paranormal cases. The show aired for nine seasons from 1993 to 2001, before a break, and it returned for a couple of series from 2016 to 2018.

While Coogler is working on the programme's latest reboot, cast members are yet to be confirmed. And it's not even known if the original Mulder and Scully will be back.

‘Fingers Crossed’ for Scully

However, Coogler admitted he has "spoken to the great Gillian Anderson" about appearing in the series, adding, "She’s incredible. Fingers crossed there."

Anderson portrayed Scully from 1992 to 2002, and she appeared in a further two series from 2016 to 2018 when the show was revived.

However, Gillian announced her decision to quit the show after 2018's 11th season, which ended up being the final series anyway, and last year she told fans why.

Speaking on Duchovny’s Fail Better podcast, she said, "The end was problematic, storyline-wise. Particularly for Scully.

"It felt like Scully’s trajectory was no longer one of strength and agency. It felt like it was beholden to an old idea of what a woman is." added Gillian.

"Literally all she could talk about was [her son] William and finding William. That’s literally a one-track song.

"I wasn’t really enjoying the direction that it was heading… and I didn’t have a voice in it. And so I felt like I needed to move on to something where I might have more of a voice."

Anderson has since gone on to star in the likes of Netflix hits Sex Education and The Crown. While she has always dismissed potential returns to X-Files, the star recently admitted that Coogler being at the helm could change everything.

_{The iconic X-Files title screen could once again send chills down viewers’ spines. (Image: ArcadeImages / Alamy)}

She said on the Today show: "It’s so funny because for most of my life, since I have finished The X-Files, every interview I do, people have asked and the answer has always been, ‘Nope, not going to happen, not going to happen.'

"Now, Ryan Coogler, who is the director of Black Panther, brilliant, brilliant director, has approached Chris Carter to say that he wants to do a take on it, and I cannot think of a better way around for a reboot to happen."

Anderson went on to describe Coogler as a "bit of a genius", and she didn't rule out participation in a reboot. She added, "Whether I am involved in it is a whole other thing. I’m not saying no.

"I think he’s really cool and I think if he did it, it would probably be done incredibly well. And maybe I’ll pop in for a little something something."

Anderson is clearly a huge fan of Coogler, and if the writing is right, then it sounds like she may well be back as Scully for the reboot.

She is 4/6 to reprise her role, but what about Duchovny?

Mulder and Scully Reunion

While Anderson quit The X-Files in 2018, Duchovny did so years earlier.

He departed in 2000 without telling his co-star of his intention, and he apologised when interviewing Anderson on his podcast recently.

However, Gillian admitted she wasn't "upset" at the time because the star was told she could "make some good money" if she continued as the lead star.

She said: "[At the time], I thought, 'Well, then we’re both going to [quit], because clearly I can’t go on without him.' I don’t think I blamed you at all. I don’t think I was upset.

"They started talking about, 'Well, if you stay on, you can actually make some good money.' And I kind of went, ‘Oh, OK. Well, that’s...' "

Duchovny's absence in the show was explained by Mulder being abducted by aliens in series seven, and FBI Special Agent John Doggett, played by Robert Patrick, stepped in to be Scully's new partner.

Duchovny did still appear intermittently in season eight, and he wasn't planning to appear in season nine, but after it was revealed the show had been axed, he returned for the finale.

After a 15-year break, The X-Files returned for a 10th series in 2016 and an 11th in 2018 before it was shelved again.

Last year, Duchovny hinted he would be interested in an X-Files revival.

He told The Hollywood Reporter: "I don’t wake up and wonder, 'Where is the X-Files stock today?' But I love that show. I don’t know what my character would be like at my age. 

"It’s an interesting question. That show can address the present as well as it addressed the ’90s. It just depends on Chris [Carter] or the other writers. I’m always like, 'Hey, let’s see.'"

Duchovny is just 1/2 to return for the reboot, and it looks like the original Mulder and Scully will be together again soon.

But which guest stars might appear alongside the iconic pair?

Deadpool in X-Files Reboot? 

Should Coogler wish to land some big-name actors as guest stars in his X-Files reboot, he could do worse than go back to old episodes and see who appeared in the show.

_{Could the faces of The X-Files legacy really return? (Image: Collection Christophel / Alamy)}

While he has plenty on his plate starring in various Deadpool movies and co-owning a football club, Ryan Reynolds is a 5/4 favourite to appear in an X-Files reboot.

The star was in season three during his young acting years, and while his character was killed off, it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see Reynolds return as another character for old time's sake.

He even revisited his X-Files days last year, when he and Rob McElhenney, who he co-owns Wrexham AFC with, filmed a skit called The Wrex-Files to tease the third season of their FX football documentary Welcome to Wrexham.

Other big-name stars who have appeared in The X-Files over the years include Lucy Liu, who also starred in season three.

The Charlie's Angels actress is a 6/4 chance to guest star in the reboot, while Breaking Bad co-stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul are 13/8 and 2/1, respectively.

What's more, if Coogler happens to be rewatching the past few seasons, then he may wish to invite some of those guest stars back for another crack at The X-Files action.

Sixth Sense star Haley Joel Osment appeared as Davey James in season 11, and he is 4/1 for a return when the reboot airs.

The Big Sick's Kumail Nanjiani (6/1) was part of the series 10 cast, and Spartacus' Lucy Lawless (10/1) guest-starred in season nine.