Updated

Updated · Polygon · Aug 11

Chris Carter Says Mulder, Scully Will Appear in Ryan Coogler's X-Files Reboot as 2008 Film Returns Aug. 14

Updated

Updated · Polygon · Aug 11

Chris Carter Says Mulder, Scully Will Appear in Ryan Coogler's X-Files Reboot as 2008 Film Returns Aug. 14

Q: Why is Chris Carter hinting at Mulder and Scully’s comeback before Ryan Coogler’s new X-Files is even revealed?

Chris Carter appears to be signaling Mulder and Scully’s return because he wants to shape expectations around what Ryan Coogler’s series actually is: not a full continuity wipe, but likely a new entry that still connects to the original *X-Files* universe. His comments to *Polygon* suggest two things. One is practical: Gillian Anderson has already said she read Coogler’s pilot and spoke with him, and reports say David Duchovny has also discussed the project with Coogler. That makes Carter’s hint less a random tease than an informed read of where the project is heading. If both appear, even briefly, it strongly implies Coogler’s show shares continuity with the original series while introducing new agents played by Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel. The timing also matters. Carter made the remarks while promoting the Aug. 14 streaming release of his director’s cut of *The X-Files: I Want to Believe*. Raising the prospect of Mulder and Scully’s return helps reignite fan interest in the franchise at a moment when Disney, Hulu and FX are expanding it across TV, streaming and comics. There is also a business and creative reason. Carter has said he still has “big plans” for *The X-Files* and would like to make another movie or series. By stressing that Coogler’s project may be complementary rather than competitive, he is keeping the door open for future involvement of his own while reassuring fans that the original characters are not being discarded.

3 articles · Updated · Polygon · Aug 11

Chris Carter said Gillian Anderson is expected to appear in Ryan Coogler’s X-Files reboot and that he assumes David Duchovny will return as well.
That would place the new series in the original show’s continuity rather than a fully separate reset, alongside new leads Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel.
Carter said he has not seen the reboot yet and does not know whether it will compete with or complement any continuation plans, leaving that judgment to Fox executives once they see it.
Carter also said he still wants to make another reboot or movie with “big ideas,” speaking while promoting the director’s cut of 2008 film The X-Files: I Want to Believe, due on Hulu and Disney+ on Aug. 14.