Director of the hit film Sinners, Ryan Coogler, is set to direct the reboot of the 90s sci-fi classic, The X Files. The project was first announced in 2023 by the series’ creator, and Coogler confirmed he would be directing the reboot in April of last year. This project is a labor of love for Coogler, and following the success of his horror film Sinners, fans are excited to see what he has in store for the beloved franchise.
The X files was a popular sci-fi show which originally ran from 1993 to 2002. Created by Chris Carter, the show followed two FBI agents who investigated a series of paranormal occurrences. The show is one of many classics which followed the “monster of the week” formula. This meant that each episode would see its characters pitted against a new paranormal threat every week. These mysteries were often solved by the end of the episode, moving on the next week.
Starring Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny, the original run aired for nine seasons. Th X Files returned for a 10th and 11th season in 2016, which saw both Anderson and Duchovny return. The reboot will be coming to Hulu, and it was revealed that Coogler will be at the helm. Carter had previously stated that he would not be attached to the project, but that is no longer the case. Now it seems that he will be on board as a co-executive producer.
Coogler’s Labor of Love
According to Variety, Coogler has stated that what drove him to direct the reboot was his mother’s love for the original series. Coogler stated that he wishes to do right by both his mother and fans, raising hopes that the reboot will capture what made the original series special due to Coogler’s personal passion.
This is not the first time Coogler has taken the lead of a project to honor his parents. Coogler has previously stated that he directed Creed because his father was a fan of the Rocky franchise.
Coogler has been dominating pop-culture for months since the release of Sinners. The film has received numerous awards and nominations ranging from best director to best score. Sinners has broken records for Oscar nominations, receiving 16 nominations this year. Coogler has long been a respected name in film since his directorial debut Fruitvale Station in 2013. Following the impact of Sinners, he has cemented himself as a truly great director worthy of taking over the series.
Cast and Filming
Very little is known about the cast of The X Files reboot. However, it was recently revealed that Danielle Deadwyler will star as the co-lead in the reboot. Many have speculated whether Anderson or Duchovny will appear in the reboot. While nothing has been confirmed, the stars have expressed support for the new series and their faith in Coogler. During an interview with Today, Anderson stated that she believes Coogler will do an incredible job. She went on to call him “a bit of a genius”, and that she may even “pop in for a little something something”.
The pilot was ordered by Hulu back in February. Filming is scheduled to begin in May of this year, lasting through June in Vancouver. This marks a return to the original filming location of the show. The first five seasons were filmed in Vancouver, before moving to Los Angeles. Many details regarding the plot of the pilot are unknown, however it is likely that it will follow a case in relation to indigenous communities.
The X Files reboot is set to air on Hulu. While no release date has been announced, with recent developments in production it is likely that fans can expect updates in the near future. During the wait, both longtime fans and new viewers interested in the reboot can catch up on the original series which is streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
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