Director of the highest-rated MCU movie teases his The X-Files reboot: “Some of the episodes will be really f***ing scary”

The long-awaited revival of The X-Files is at last underway. Ryan Coogler, the filmmaker renowned for Black Panther, Creed, and Sinners, is spearheading the horror series, and he has shared an update indicating that this project is next on his list.

Chris Carter, the originator of The X-Files, announced Coogler’s participation in 2023, but there had been little news since, leading to speculation about its status in development. That is not the case, according to Coogler himself, who disclosed during an interview with The Last Podcast on the Left that he is ready to dive back into the new series.

“I’ve been looking forward to this for quite some time and I’m amped to return to it,” Coogler expresses. “Some of those episodes, if we execute properly, are going to be genuinely terrifying.” He is collaborating with Gillian Anderson, a long-time cast member of The X-Files portraying FBI Special Agent Dana Scully, on this venture, though her on-screen return remains uncertain.

“She’s outstanding and we’re hopeful about that. We’re planning to create something truly exceptional, and cater to the dedicated X-Files audience while possibly attracting newcomers,” he concludes.

A hallmark of genre television, The X-Files dominated the ’90s, centering on Dana and her partner, Special Agent Fox Mulder, portrayed by David Duchovny, as they examined strange occurrences and mysterious crimes often linked to inexplicable phenomena. Throughout the series, it delved into deep-rooted conspiracies surrounding UFOs and alien life.

The original series produced nine seasons and two films, followed by an additional two seasons in the late 2010s. Anderson parted ways with the franchise after the eleventh season, leaving the future ambiguous. A revival logically aligns with the adaptability of the premise for various timeframes or contexts, featuring two new protagonists to carry out the investigations.

Coogler is a reliable choice for this endeavor. With successful titles like Black Panther (still holding the record for the highest-rated MCU film on Rotten Tomatoes at 96%), its sequel, and the first Creed, he has proven his ability to enhance franchises and move narratives forward. His latest project, Sinners, presents an original story featuring close collaborator Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as twin brothers protecting their hometown from vampires in 1930s Mississippi.

Currently at 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s yet another triumph for Coogler. Sinners is available now. For more chilling films set to release, check out our upcoming movies list.

Anthony is an Irish entertainment and gaming journalist, now residing in Glasgow. He previously held the position of Senior Anime Writer at Dexerto and News Editor at The Digital Fix, in addition to contributing to Variety, IGN, Den of Geek, PC Gamer, and others. Apart from Studio Ghibli, horror films, and The Muppets, he enjoys action-RPGs, heavy metal, and professional wrestling. He once had an interview with Animal, which he seems to bring up quite frequently.