The X-Files Returns? Black Panther Director Ryan Coogler Eyes ‘Diverse’ Reboot of Classic Sci-Fi Series
The truth is, once again, out there.
Black Panther‘s Ryan Coogler is developing a “diverse” reboot of the classic sci-fi drama The X-Files, original series creator Chris Carter said in a recent Canadian podcast.
Carter mentioned the new project in the March 27 edition of On the Coast With Gloria Macarenko, during a segment that celebrated the 30th anniversary of the show (which shot its first five seasons in Vancouver before moving production to California).
“I just spoke to a young man, Ryan Coogler, who is going to remount The X-Files with a diverse cast,” Carter said. “So he’s got his work cut out for him, because we covered so much territory.”
A rep for 20th Television, which produced the original series and its recent two-season revival, declined comment. TVLine has reached out to Coogler and Carter, as well. TVLine, meanwhile, has learned that Coogler’s potential series would not be for Fox.
In related news, an animated comedy spinoff of the original series is not moving forward at Fox. The potential series received a script and presentation commitment from Fox in August 2020; Carter was attached to executive-produce but not write or serve as showrunner. The X-Files: Albuquerque would have followed an office full of misfit agents who investigate X-Files cases too wacky, ridiculous or downright dopey for Mulder and Scully to bother with.
Are you interested in seeing a fresh version of the FBI’s Most Unwanted? Hit the comments and let us know!
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I really feel like this show is done and doesn’t need a reboot.
It’s been done. Took back out and reheated. Took back out again and burnt. Then Fell between the refrigerator and the counter, left there and now it’s spoiled and rancid. Ain’t no one wanting to consume this.
A reboot is unnecessary. However the animated comedy could work.
LOL… well, now the animated series isn’t moving forward. Now, hopefully the reboot nonsense will be forgotten.
With the right people behind it they could have done a kids cartoon like Scooby-Doo. Mulder could keep thinking he discovered a cryptid creature then Scully could pull off their masks revealing the real criminal underneath. ” I could have gotten away with it if it weren’t for you two weird 70 year old FBI agents”.
Ryan Coogler should team up with Donald Glover and do a new version of X-Files in the same format as some of the more off the wall Atlanta episodes. That would be a reboot that I would intrigue with as it would certainly be different.
Folks, any particular reboot or remake of a tv series or movie may stand or fall on its own merits. But conceptually, they’ve been doing these things with and without success since before most of us were born, and they’ll be doing it with and without success after most of us are gone. Why? Because, it’s business, and it’s not about the industry catering to any one of us or our generation.
Back in 2016, when the sequel seasons were announced I was largely against it. But one of my reasons was that *Person of Interest* and *Grimm* were doing the sci-fi/supernatural procedural thing for a new age really well with much less press. But now both of those shows have wrapped up. The only sci-fi/supernatural procedural I watch (or am aware of) is *Evil* and while that is great, and should get more press, the last season only had ten episodes, so I can see the need for another series, including possibly a reimagining of *The X-Files*.
Wait and see.
You ought to check out Surreal Estate…
Is it any good?
If you’re into supernatural stories, yes, it’s good. (I like it, anyway…)
But only 1 season. I was very disappointed that it didn’t get renewed. I would definitely give an X-Files reboot a watch. Hopefully it would live up to the name, but if not, then we don’t have to watch it.
Surreal Estate was un-cancelled and is filming its 2nd season
Please give us a rest from reboots. With rare exceptions, they are NEVER as good as the originals. Even THE X-FILES reboot the second time around, left a lot to be desired.
A reboot is not needed, a continuation of the original like they have done with Quantum Leap would be better. That way old cast can still make the odd appearance as the character they were.
Reboot is my least favourite term when it comes to T.V.
That’s most likely what it is.
“The X-Files” without David Duchovny … that’s already been done. I didn’t think it went so well. Leave well enough alone, young man.
yes but it was durint the initial run of the show, its not the same context
If I had to choose an all-time favorite show, it would be The X-Files. So I’ll definitely tune in, with the understanding that it can’t (and shouldn’t try to) replicate the original. I agree that there has been a lack of quality, entertaining sci-fi/paranormal series recently.
“Diverse reboot”, what?
There was just 2 main leads, not like the cast was hugh and was just all white!
So it means the 2 main leads will not be white, aka code for anti-white casting
Thea can make leads an interracial (Afro-American + Asian) gay/trans couple. I would definitely watch it!
most people wont: forced “diversity”, specially when the characters traits and dept are oversimplified to match an ideological agenda, ie work as propaganda piece with a poorly written script.
doing that is caring more about a facede than the quality of the actual content: good stories are about allowing people to think for themselves, exercise and learn to do that, rather than telling them what they should think. doing that is not different to propaganda by nzis and ussr, and other absolutists.
the original x-files had all sort of wacky characters with different backgrounds, and most worked well with the main plot of the series, or at least worked well in the context of their own stories.
That never happens when a show has as starting point keywords like “diversity” or “modern audiences” (which are factually more backwards in their views than progressive, since they care more about power and control rather than debate and actual openness; its all a sham to push the a global agenda with a tyrannical approach).
Two main leads, plus Cigarette Smoking Man, plus the Lone Gunmen, plus the various FBI personnel and people involved in the investigation: There were not a lot of POC in that group.
Your point stands but I can’t believe you forgot to mention Skinner :P I mean, I guess he counts as various FBI personnel, so you didn’t entirely discount him, but he should still get a shout-out as the third-most often-seen character. But yeah, also white, so there are a lot of places the show could diversity. We also shouldn’t assume it’s going to be a team of two as opposed to a bigger team in a new version, either.
I forgot his name… :-(
I love this. I loved the xfiles as a show and I love it as a concept for a future show. Gillian and David as Mulder and Scully are among the all time greats. I am excited about this though. But I just have no idea how they’re going to approach it. So I will stay skeptical until I hear more. Also, what does it mean that this won’t be at Fox? Do you mean the network? So this is likely going straight to Disney Plus then? Or Hulu?
Can we get a show where the 2 leads don’t get together. To me the X-Files was never the same when they got together and moved the show to Los Angeles, the dampness and foggyness of Canada was like a 3rd character.
David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson are The X-Files for me. I’m not interested in any reboot without them. Or even with them after that horrible revival few years ago. But if some people enjoy some “diverse” reboot good for them
The X-Files was my entire world when I was young and I’d probably watch anything with its name. A lot of the early episodes especially were based on real things; if Ryan does the research and can hit those same vibes, I think it’d be a good show. I wish it’d be a continuation instead of a reboot, though.
I’d rather hear “We’ve got a great idea for a reboot/continuation” than “We’re going to reboot it with a diverse cast.” The Quantum Leap sequel series has an intriguing premise and a diverse cast: Just put the story first and make the cast as diverse as you want.
Amen!
No.
On second thought, yes.
This sounds great to me. Plus, it will piss off the racists. Bonus!
You think everyone is racist that doesn’t agree with, or like what you like. Virtue signaling should never give a corporation that supports the slave trade or benefits a genocidal regime a free pass. It also shouldn’t give a free pass to corrupt government officials that try to get away with theft and destruction by virtue signaling or using diversity hires as their shield; that is real racism. It’s also racist to swap the race of an established character. It’s the same as black face, not that this proposed show is doing that though. I doubt real racist give two craps about the x-files but I doubt you you were talking about real racists which is extremely disrespectful to those that did have to face real racism. It’s pretty revolting and abusive.
This is one reboot / remake we just didn’t need.
Why not create an exciting new completely original and stand alone work of art. I would tune in for that.
No, please don’t
I love The X-Files but I hate too soon reboots. It hasn’t been that long.
And honestly if you watch X Files what exactly is going to be “too wacky” for Mulder?? The man uses the National Enquirer to search for cases and takes Monkey Babies seriously. The first 6 seasons of the show are absolutely fantastic. Season 4 is near perfect. Although my fav episode is in season 5 with legendary guest star Luke Wilson.
This is not a show that should be rebooted or revamped in any way. If you want to make a show about a diverse group of people searching for Aliens and other Fringe level things then do that but don’t slap X Files on it. I’m more likely to watch it if it has nothing to do with X files than if they call it an x files reboot.
How much milk can you get from a cow that’s been turned into leather?
The abomination that was the X Files continuation proved that we do not need any more X Files. Please, just stop. Come up with something new. WE DO NOT WANT IT.
I thought the mythology episodes at the beginning and ends of the two continuation X-Files seasons were pretty good, but the filler episodes in between were definitely hit and miss (with a little too much miss)
‘Diverse Reboot’
No thanks.
Enough shows have been ruined by forcing diverse BS.
Velma, the cancelled Resident Evil series, the cancelled Willow series.
Just stop, create new material and stop riding the coat tails of successful shows/movies and changing them becuse you want to be more ‘Diverse’.
Make it good first. Diversity is cool, but if you want to attract the masses, your show needs a story-based reason to exist.
No! Anything with the word ” diverse ” in the description can go to hell!
Would definitely watch the reboot. The stories need to be good that should be the focus not how diverse it is. Diversity is a normal part of life, it doesn’t need to be announced.
Any show that announces people’s sexuality, gender identity, or characters skin color before the show even starts is weird and creepy. It feels like it’s going to be really bad or lazy and they’re automatically trying to suggest a ‘diversity shield’ to protect from legitimate criticism and try to grift a couple of seasons. Just announce you’re doing a reboot with a different cast then hire who you want. How hard is that. Although X-files is a bad idea to reboot. There have been plenty of similar shows, mostly with a mix cast of characters that didn’t use the X-files name. It would have a better chance going that route then using the broken X-files brand as a name.