The X-Files may get a reboot with a ‘diverse cast’ as Black Panther director Ryan Coogler attempts to bring back the iconic series

The X-Files may be returning in a new form, according to the original series’ creator Chris Carter.

During an appearance on Monday on CBC’s On The Coast, Carter said that Creed director Ryan Coogler was hoping to ‘remount’ the science fiction–horror series, via Bloody Disgusting.

Though Carter only spoke briefly about the potential project, it may eventually have a new, more representative cast, presumably without its original stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson.

‘I just spoke to a young man, Ryan Coogler, who is going to remount The X-Files with a diverse cast,’ Carter said.

He added that Coogler has ‘got his work cut out for him, because we covered so much territory.’

Rising star: Carter said Coogler is envisioning a more ‘diverse’ reboot with new characters. Coogler most recently directed Black Panther: Wakanda Forever; seen March 9 in LA

The original series starred Duchovny as FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder, while Anderson played his partner Dana Scully, a Special Agent who was also trained as a medical doctor.

The two were assigned to investigate secretive ‘X-Files,’ a group of unsolved cases with possibly extraterrestrial or supernatural explanations.

Duchovny’s Mulder was the more inquisitive of the two agents who was willing to take stock in outlandish conspiracy theories, while Anderson played Scully as the rational realist who reigned in his most extreme instincts, even though they were often correct.

The hit series ran for nine seasons from 1993 to 2002, before being revived for two more seasons from 2016 to 2018.

Duchovny and Anderson also starred in two X-Files films, released in 1998 and 2008. 

Coogler’s connection would add a prestige sheen to any new X-Files project.

He made his feature debut with Fruitvale Station, which he wrote and directed with Michael B. Jordan starring.

The film details the final 24 hours in the life of Oscar Grant (Jordan), a Black man who was shot to death by police at a train station in Oakland, California, in 2009.

The film was received rapturously by critics and made its $900,000 budget back many times over.

Fruitvale Station’s success allowed Coogler to direct and co-write the Rocky spin-off Creed, which was again a critical and commercial success. 

Long-running: The X-Files ran for nine seasons from 1993 to 2002, followed by two revival seasons from 2016–2018 (pictured) with Anderson and Duchovny returning

Hit maker: After directing the acclaimed Fruitvale Station, Coogler went on to helm the first Creed film and both Black Panther movies; seen March1 in Beverly Hills

In limbo: In 2020, the animated comedy The X-Files: Albuquerque was announced, but it’s unclear if the show is still moving forward; still from The X-Files

He followed that film up with Black Panther and its sequel Wakanda Forever. In 2017, he was reported to be reteaming with Jordan for the film Wrong Answer, about the Atlanta cheating scandal, though it is unclear if that project will ever see the light of day.

Carter’s description of the potential project revealed few details other than its diverse casting, and it is possible that it may never come to fruition, like many film and television projects.

As noted by Bloody Disgusting, another X-Files spin-off, The X-Files: Albuquerque, has been in the works since 2020, with Carter producing.

The animated series would focus on a ‘B-team’ squad of new characters, but it is also unknown if the show is still moving forward.