The X-Files (miniseries)

The X-Files miniseries
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 6
Broadcast
Original channel Fox
Original airing 2016[1]

The X-Files miniseries will be a continuation of the American science fiction horror drama television series The X-Files, created by Chris Carter which originally aired from 1993 to 2002. On March 24, 2015, Fox officially announced the series would return for a six-episode event series.[2] The series is slated to air in 2016.[1]

Background

The X-Files aired from 1993 to 2002 on the Fox network and followed the exploits of federal agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) as they investigated crimes linked to the paranormal. The series also spawned two films, the eponymous 1998 film, and The X-Files: I Want to Believe (2008). In several interviews around the release, series creator Chris Carter said that if The X-Files: I Want to Believe proved successful at the box office, a third installment would be made going back to the TV series' mythology, focusing specifically on the alien invasion and colonization of Earth foretold in the series finale, due to occur on December 22, 2012.[3][4] In an October 2009 interview, Duchovny said he would want to do a 2012 X-Files film, but did not know if he would get the chance.[5][6] Anderson stated in August 2012 that a third X-Files film was "looking pretty good".[7] At the New York Comic Con held October 10–13, 2013, Duchovny and Anderson reaffirmed that they and Carter are interested in making a third film, with Anderson saying “If it takes fan encouragement to get Fox interested in that, then I guess that’s what it would be.”[8] On January 17, 2015, Fox Television Group chairman and CEO Gary Newman revealed that there was network interest in reviving The X-Files, not as a film franchise, but as a limited run television event series.[9]

Production

Casting

The miniseries is set to feature Gillian Anderson (left) and David Duchovny (right) reprising their roles as Dana Scully and Fox Mulder, respectively.

Once Newman revealed thoughts of bringing back the series, he noted that the revival would include "all key players": Carter, Duchovny, and Anderson.[10] Fox TV Group chairman Dana Walden later noted that finding the ideal time that the three key members of the series were free would pose a challenge.[11] At the time of the announcement, Duchovny was working on the NBC series Aquarius, and Anderson was involved in the BBC drama The Fall.[12] However, both co-stars expressed their desire to return to the series: prior to Newman's announcement, Anderson said that she would be "fucking overjoyed" if Fox brought back The X-Files, and Duchovny said that he would be "more than happy" to reprise his role as Mulder.[13][14]

Early on, it was reported that an offer went out to Mitch Pileggi, who played Walter Skinner on the series, and that "other key cast members will also return."[15] William B. Davis, the actor who portrayed The Smoking Man, also noted that he was asked about his availability during the summer of 2015, hinting that his character would return in some form.[16] Later, Duchovny revealed during his March 31, 2015 appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman that both Pileggi and Davis would return for the miniseries.[17] Pileggi confirmed his return in April 2015.[18] In an interview with XFilesNews.com, Carter expressed hope in having Robert Patrick and Annabeth Gish reprise their roles as John Doggett and Monica Reyes, respectively, although their involvement would be contingent upon their current acting commitments.[19] Laurie Holden has not ruled out a return as Marita Covarrubias.[20]

Writing

We're going to tell X-Files the way that we've always told them; we will of course set them in the time and place that they exist. We're telling contemporary stories about contemporary situations, true to Mulder and Scully's characters and their relationship and the passage of time.

“
”
Chris Carter, on the nature of The X-Files miniseries.[19]

Carter himself was also confirmed to be helming the project, serving as writer and executive producer.[15] Carter later confirmed that Darin Morgan, and Jim Wong will return to the series as writers, and Glen Morgan will return in a "productorial position."[19] Wong and Glen Morgan had served as writers for the series during its first, second, and fourth seasons,[21][22][23] and Darin Morgan had provided several scripts for the series during its second and third seasons.[22][24] Following the announcement of the miniseries, it was speculated as to whether long-time Carter-collaborator Frank Spotnitz would return to the assist with writing.[15] In addition, former X-Files writer Vince Gilligan noted that he would love to return to the series, although he was unsure if his busy work schedule would allow it.[25] Mark Snow will also reprise his role as series' composer.[19]

Prior to filming, Carter explained that he had "ideas for every [character]" and that the series would strive to tell fresh stories in a "very new political environment".[19] He explained that, since the conclusion of the series, he had been collecting noteworthy news stories for future use. Carter also revealed that the miniseries' plot will have no connection to the Season 10 comic book series, and will be composed of both mythology episodes, as well as standalone "Monster of the Week" episodes.[19]

Filming

In March 2015, it was claimed by several sources that the network would order a short-run season of less than ten episodes, with an initial guess of six. The decision to cut the order down to only a few installments was reportedly done so that the network could work around the busy schedules of Duchovny and Anderson; Duchovny himself said he had no interest in doing a full season because: "We're all old, we don't have the energy for a full season."[15][26] The article also claimed that, if all went as planned, the series would begin filming in summer 2015.[15][27] It was also confirmed by both Davis and Carter that the series was set to return to Vancouver for filming.[16][19]

Ratings

Before the series even began filming, an anonymous network insider revealed that Fox was interested in reviving the series because it would be a ratings success, noting: "The network feels that they can draw huge numbers and a PR drive to bring back a show which offers both drama and a built in cult following."[10] It was speculated that the success of the 24: Live Another Day miniseries, which aired in 2014, inspired Fox to revive The X-Files.[11]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Marchand, Francois (April 27, 2015). "Chris Carter Tells the Truth About The X-Files’ Return". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  2. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (March 24, 2015). "‘The X-Files’ Returns As Fox Event Series With Creator Chris Carter And Stars David Duchovny & Gillian Anderson". Deadline.com. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  3. ↑ Clark Collis (April 18, 2008). "'X-Files' Creator Chris Carter Wants to Believe in a Third Movie Featuring Mulder and Scully". Entertainment Weekly (Time Inc). Retrieved July 27, 2009.
  4. ↑ Parfitt, Orlando (July 31, 2008). "Carter Already Planning X-Files 3". IGN (News Corporation). Retrieved October 14, 2009.
  5. ↑ Vejvoda, Jim (October 16, 2009). "Duchovny on X-Files 3". IGN (News Corporation). Retrieved October 19, 2009.
  6. ↑ "David Duchovny Talks Gay Crushes and a Possible X-Files Sequel". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group). January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  7. ↑ Marcus, Stephanie (August 27, 2012). "Gillian Anderson: 'X-Files 3' Movie Is 'Looking Pretty Good'". The Huffington Post (AOL). Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  8. ↑ "David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson Want to Reunite for Third 'X-Files' Movie". New York Daily News (Daily News, L.P.). Associated Press. October 14, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  9. ↑ Porter, Rick (January 17, 2015). "Fox Wants to Believe 'The X-Files' Could Return Once More". Zap2it. Tribune Digital Ventures. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Jefferies, Mark (January 18, 2015). "The X Files is Coming Back as Mulder and Scully Ask Again if the Truth is Out There". Mirror.co.uk (Trinity Mirror). Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Andreeva, Nellie (January 17, 2015). "Fox Confirms ‘X-Files’ Reboot Talks, David Duchovny & Gillian Anderson To Return – Update". Deadline.com. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  12. ↑ France, Lisa Respers (March 23, 2015). "Is 'The X-Files' Coming Back? The Truth is Out There". CNN. Time Warner. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  13. ↑ "New 'The X-Files' TV series with David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson in the Works". NME. Time Inc. UK. January 19, 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  14. ↑ McClurg, Jocelyn (January 20, 2015). "David Duchovny is Onboard for 'X-Files' Reboot". USA Today (Gannett Company). Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 Munn, Patrick (March 20, 2015). "‘The X-Files’ Revival Nears Greenlight At Fox; Network Eyes Short Order, Gillian Anderson & David Duchovny To Return". tvwise.co.uk. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Grainger, Peter (March 26, 2015). "New 'X-Files' Episodes to Shoot in Vancouver, Smoking Man Confirms". CTV Vancouver. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  17. ↑ Hibberd, James (March 31, 2015). "X-Files Revival Plans Return of Walter Skinner, Cigarette Smoking Man". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  18. ↑ Connolly, Kelly (April 20, 2015). "Mitch Pileggi to reprise role as Walter Skinner in X-Files revival". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 19.6 Quijada, Avi (March 25, 2015). "XFN Exclusive: Chris Carter on #XFilesRevival". XFilesNews.com. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  20. ↑ Burlingam, Russ (April 6, 2015). "The Walking Dead's Laurie Holden Doesn't Rule Out Possible X-Files Return". ComicBook.com. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
  21. ↑ The X-Files: The Complete First Season (booklet). Robert Mandel, et al. Fox Broadcasting Corporation.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 The X-Files: The Complete Second Season (booklet). David Nutter, et al. Fox Broadcasting Corporation.
  23. ↑ The X-Files: The Complete Fourth Season (booklet). R. W. Goodwin, et al. Fox Broadcasting Corporation.
  24. ↑ The X-Files: The Complete Third Season (booklet). R. W. Goodwin, et al. Fox Broadcasting Corporation.
  25. ↑ "Vince Gilligan Would "Love" To Be Involved With X-Files Revival". Den of Geek. February 23, 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  26. ↑ Longo, Chris (March 23, 2015). "The X-Files Reboot News: Season Order Details, Returning Cast, and More". Den of Geek. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  27. ↑ Watts, Steve (March 23, 2015). "Rumor: X-Files Revival Deal Close; Could Shoot This Summer". IGN. j2 Global. Retrieved March 24, 2015.

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