The X-Files was the most mysterious and provocative television series of the nineties and stands now as forerunner of criminal and mystery series like Prison Break, The Mentalist and even Supernatural. The X-Files, starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, which aired from 1993 to 2002, might return to Fox. Chairman Gary Newman confirmed rumors about an X Files reboot, Deadline announced.
The X-Files revival follows the example of Fox’s 24: Live Another Day and the possibility was discussed at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, California. Newman’s words on the matter confirmed the wish of Fox to bring back the detective mysteries of Mulder and Scully: ‘’It’s true that we’ve had some conversations on X-Files.’’ What is more, the personal view of Gary towards the issue is optimistic and aims at a future materialization of that wish: ‘’We’re hopeful of being able to bring that back at some point.’’
The return of The X-Files depends on the availability of its main actors, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, as they are both considered an important part of the project. Californication star Duchovny is currently involved in a NBC series, Aquarius, a cop drama about a policeman who goes undercover in order to trace Charles Manson and the Manson family before the crimes. As for female detective Gillian Anderson, she is at the moment involved in a recurring role in the horror-crime television series Hannibal, where she portrays Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier. When asked about her possible involvement in a future television series, Anderson was hesitant and seemed to prefer a movie-project rather than a series one, due to practical reasoning. Nonetheless, her conclusion was evasive and uncertain: ‘’I need to wrap my brain around what that would entail (…) I live in London. I’ve got three kids, it’s not a small proposition and it would take a lot longer to shoot than a movie would. I need to think about that.”
Although no official statements of the main actors in connection to their involvement in an X-Files reboot are available, considering the offer of returning to their crime solving might eventually prove to be benefic to both Duchovny and Anderson. On the same note, the X-Files series was followed by two spin-off films: in 1998, The X-Files and ten years later, in 2008, The X-Files: I Want To Believe.