The X-Files: I Want to Believe

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The X-Files: I Want to Believe
Directed by Chris Carter
Produced by Chris Carter
Frank Spotnitz
Written by Frank Spotnitz
Chris Carter
Starring David Duchovny
Gillian Anderson
Music by Mark Snow[1]
Cinematography Bill Roe
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Release date(s) July 25, 2008 (2008-07-25)
Country United States
Language English
Preceded by The X-Files
Official website
Allmovie profile
IMDb profile

The X-Files: I Want to Believe is a 2008 science fiction film directed by Chris Carter, and written by Carter and Frank Spotnitz. It is the second feature film based on Carter's TV series The X-Files, and follows the 1998 film. The stars of the TV series, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, reprise their respective roles as Fox Mulder and Dana Scully.

The film was first anticipated in November 2001 to follow the conclusion of the ninth season of the TV series, but it remained in development hell for six years before entering production in December 2007 in Vancouver. The premise of the film is not yet publicly known, but many of those involved, including Carter, Duchovny and 20th Century Fox, have spoken of the film as one that would stand alone and be apart from the "mythology" of the television series. The film is currently scheduled to be released on July 25 2008.

Contents

[edit] Plot

Due to the highly secretive nature of the project, the studio has released little information about the film's plot. The producers have only revealed that it will take place six years after the events of the series.[2] It is also known that, unlike the first film, the plot will not focus on the series' ongoing "mythology" and will instead be a standalone thriller/horror story, similar to many of the "monster-of-the-week" episodes that were frequently seen in the TV series.[3][4]

In an interview published March 27, 2008, Carter stated that the film would be consistent with the entire X-Files story arc, as Scully's child William would "not go unconsidered" in the film, and that it "takes place in the present and uses a story envisioned when the series ended".[5][6]

In addition, photos of Duchovny and Anderson embracing and kissing appeared on Internet fan sites in early March 2008, fueling speculation about a romantic subplot between their characters. Duchovny dismissed the rumors and described the kiss as a practical joke, adding, "We staged that."[7]

In an article published in the July 2008 edition of SFX magazine, Spotnitz revealed that Mulder had been living in a "neat, plank-walled bungalow" constructed for the filming of this movie.

[edit] Cast

Actor Character
David Duchovny Fox Mulder
Gillian Anderson Dana Scully
Mitch Pileggi Walter Skinner
Billy Connolly Father Joe
Amanda Peet Special Agent Dakota Whitney
Callum Keith Rennie Unknown
Alvin "Xzibit" Joiner Unknown
Adam Godley Unknown
Spencer Maybee Blair Finch[citation needed]
Steve Stafford Helicopter Pilot[citation needed]
Marci T. House Tow Truck Driver[citation needed]
Denis Krasnogolov Alex[citation needed]

[edit] Production

[edit] Development

In November 2001, the creators of the TV series, The X-Files, decided to pursue a second feature film adaptation of the series, following the 1998 film. Carter was expected to collaborate with Spotnitz, who had co-written the first film, on a script for the follow-up. Production of the film was slated to begin after the completion of the ninth season of the TV series, with a projected release in December 2003.[8] In April 2002, Carter reiterated his desire and the studio's desire to do a sequel film. He planned to write the script over the summer and begin production in Spring or Summer 2003 for a 2004 release.[9] Carter described the film as being stand-alone, "We're looking at the movies as stand-alones. They're not necessarily going to have to deal with the mythology."[10] Director Rob Bowman, who had directed episodes of The X-Files in the past as well as the 1998 film, expressed an interest in filming the sequel in July 2002.[11]

In April 2004, Duchovny said he was waiting for the film's production to begin, explaining that Carter had signed off on the premise. Duchovny said of the delay, "So now it's just a matter of making sure everybody can get together at the same time and do it."[12] The following November, Carter revealed that the project was in the negotiation stage, explaining, "Because it's a sequel, there are peculiar and specific kinds of negotiations that are holding us up."[13] Duchovny spoke of the premise for the yet-produced film in 2005, "Mulder and Scully investigate one particular case that has nothing to do with alien life. It has to do with supernatural stuff."[14] He also explained, "I think we're going back to the 'monster of the week' type feel, where if you're not an avid fan and don't understand the mythology, you can still come to it and get the movie." Duchovny and Carter planned to begin production in Winter 2005 to be released in Summer 2006.[15] The following April, Duchovny admitted to a lack of a script, adding that Carter would have it ready by early next year.[16]

In May 2006, Spotnitz ascribed the continued delay to legal matters between Carter and 20th Century Fox. The screenwriter anticipated, "Once the legal issues are over with, we will go on with it. I'm hoping it will get resolved soon."[17] By April 2007, Spotnitz confirmed that a script was finally in development.[18] The following October, the studio officially announced the production of the sequel film, whose premise would be kept under wraps.[4]

[edit] Filming

The film was shot in Vancouver and Pemberton, in British Columbia, Canada. According to Spotnitz, the script was written specifically for these locations.[7] Filming began in December 2007 in Vancouver under the direction of Carter,[19] and shooting finished on March 11th, 2008.[7][20] In a teaser trailer shown at Wondercon on February 23 2008, the date July 25, 2008 was shown at the very end, which was the only text in the trailer.[21] On March 27 2008, the horror film site, "Bloody Disgusting," reported a bootleg video of the official trailer was uploaded by a user on YouTube.[22] The first public trailer was released after midnight on May 12 2008, after a period of downtime on the official website.

[edit] Title

The code name, Done One, was used as the film's working title during filming, with location signs labeled as "Done One Productions."[7] The Directors Guild production list for British Columbia listed a project named Done One, with the director listed as Rich Tracers, an anagram of the sequel's actual director, Chris Carter.[23] "The Crying Box Productions" was listed as the production company, instead of Carter's usual "Ten Thirteen Productions."[24][25] The Hollywood Reporter posted a series of information sheets regarding upcoming studio films, and the 20th Century Fox fact sheet referred to the film as The X-Files: Done One.[26]

On April 16, 2008, the official title of the film was announced: The X-Files: I Want to Believe.[27] Carter referred to the title as a "natural title", saying that it pertained to "a story that involves the difficulties in mediating faith and science. 'I Want to Believe.' It really does suggest Mulder's struggle with his faith." Carter also said that he and Spotnitz settled upon the title as soon as they started writing the screenplay. This title is a popular phrase among X-Files fans. It is featured on the poster above Mulder's desk.[27]

[edit] Music

The score to the film was composed by series veteran Mark Snow. He recorded the score with the Hollywood Studio Symphony in May 2008 at the Newman Scoring Stage at 20th Century Fox in Century City, California.[28]

[edit] Release

Two trailers screened at science fiction conventions in early 2008, and were subsequently bootlegged and released onto various video sharing sites. On May 12, 2008, the debut trailer for the upcoming film was released on the official website. A second theatrical trailer debuted online on Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at 4:00 P.M. Pacific (7:00 P.M. Eastern) on Yahoo!. On June 13, the official debut of the trailer in cinemas will be released with the film The Happening.

Both theatrical trailers show Mulder telling Scully, "I need you on this with me."

[edit] References

  1. ^ Mark Snow: The X-Files 2. Upcoming Film Scores (2008-02-20). Retrieved on 2008-04-18.
  2. ^ Filming of The X-Files sequel wraps
  3. ^ Gregg Goldstein. "Threesome mark spots for 'X-Files'", The Hollywood Reporter, 2007-12-06. Retrieved on 2007-12-24. 
  4. ^ a b "Official X-Files 2 Announcement!", IGN, 2007-10-31. Retrieved on 2007-12-24. 
  5. ^ 'X-Files' creator spills some details about film - CNN.com
  6. ^ Chris Carter Reveals Latest X-Files movie Secrets at the 25th Annual Paley Fest, iF Magazine, 2008-3-27
  7. ^ a b c d Glen Schaefer (2008-03-12). Filming of the X-Files sequel wraps. Vancouver Province. Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
  8. ^ "X-Files Cast and Crew Talk New Movie & New Season", IGN, 2001-11-10. Retrieved on 2007-12-24. 
  9. ^ Christopher Allan Smith. "Carter sheds light on X-FILES 2", Cinescape, 2002-04-11. Retrieved on 2007-12-24. 
  10. ^ Brian Linder. "Carter Talks X-Files Sequel", IGN, 2002-05-09. Retrieved on 2007-12-24. 
  11. ^ "Bowman Up For X-Files 2", Sci Fi Wire, 2002-07-02. Retrieved on 2007-12-24. 
  12. ^ "Duchovny expects second 'X-Files' movie", USA Today, 2004-04-08. Retrieved on 2007-12-24. 
  13. ^ Paul Davidson. "Hope for an X-Files 2", IGN, 2004-11-23. Retrieved on 2007-12-24. 
  14. ^ William Keck. "Actors make rounds at Critics' Choice", USA Today, 2005-01-11. Retrieved on 2007-12-24. 
  15. ^ Paul Davidson. "Duchovny Hopes for a Couple More X-Files", IGN, 2005-01-19. Retrieved on 2007-12-24. 
  16. ^ Jeff Otto. "David Duchovny Talks X-Files", IGN, 2005-04-06. Retrieved on 2007-12-24. 
  17. ^ Mike Szymanski. "Spotnitz Writing X-Files 2", Sci Fi Wire, 2006-05-19. Retrieved on 2007-12-24. 
  18. ^ Paul Davidson. "X-Files 2: Too Early to Celebrate", IGN, 2007-04-27. Retrieved on 2007-12-24. 
  19. ^ Pamela McClintock; Tatiana Siegel. "Fox sets date for 'X-Files' sequel", Variety, 2007-10-31. Retrieved on 2007-12-24. 
  20. ^ Duchovny and two co-writers announce new X-Files feature film. Canadian Press (2008-03-12). Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
  21. ^ SciFi.com, http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=3&id=49131
  22. ^ Bloody-Disgusting.com, http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/11752
  23. ^ http://www.dgcbc.com/productions.pdf
  24. ^ Diva, "Exclusive: The X-Files 2 Starts Shooting Dec. 10, ComingSoon.net (Oct. 29, 2007).
  25. ^ Erik Davis, "'X-Files 2' Gets Ready to Roll This December", Cinematical, October 29, 2007.
  26. ^ "Domestic film"
  27. ^ a b Germain, David. "'X-Files' movie title is out there: 'I Want to Believe'", The Associated Press, 2008-04-16. Retrieved on 2008-04-16. 
  28. ^ Dan Goldwasser. "Mark Snow scores The X-Files: I Want to Believe", ScoringSessions.com, 2008-05-30. Retrieved on 2008-05-30. 

[edit] External links

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