Acclaimed director Ryan Coogler, known for his groundbreaking work on Black Panther, has confirmed that a reboot of the iconic sci-fi series The X-Files will be his next venture.
Coogler shared the news while promoting his latest film, Sinners, a vampire thriller that has already been hailed as a top contender for the best film of 2025 due to its critical and commercial success.
The director expressed his enthusiasm for the project on Last Podcast on the Left in April 2025, stating, “I’m fired up to get back to it… some of those episodes, if we do our jobs right, will be really f—ing scary.”
The X-Files, which originally aired from 1993 to 2002, followed FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they investigated paranormal phenomena and government conspiracies. The series, starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, became a cultural phenomenon, spawning two feature films and a revival in 2016-2018.
Coogler’s reboot, first teased by series creator Chris Carter in 2023, is expected to feature a diverse cast, potentially moving away from the original characters. However, whether Duchovny and Anderson will return remains uncertain.
Coogler has revealed he’s spoken with Anderson, who played Scully, and described her as “incredible,” adding, “fingers crossed there.” Anderson herself has softened her stance on returning, telling ITV1’s This Morning on April 30, 2025, that Coogler is “the perfect person” for the reboot and that she might consider a role “if the phone rings and it feels like the right time.”
Duchovny, on the other hand, has been more reserved, stating in 2024 to Screen Rant that he views the reboot as “a whole separate project” and wishes the team luck.
The reboot comes at a time when Coogler’s star power is at its peak. Sinners, his first original premise, has captivated audiences with its blend of supernatural horror and cultural depth, earning $4.7 million in previews and a projected $40-50 million opening weekend.
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Critics have praised its innovative storytelling, with Euronews noting a sequence as “one of 2025’s most spellbinding and memorable shots.” Coogler’s track record of reimagining established franchises like Creed and Black Panther gives fans hope that his take on The X-Files will honor its legacy while introducing fresh perspectives.
Fans are buzzing with anticipation, with many on platforms like Reddit expressing hope that Coogler will address past criticisms of the series, particularly regarding Scully’s arc in later seasons.
While the reboot’s direction remains unclear—whether it will be a full reimagining or a continuation with new agents — the promise of Coogler’s vision has reignited excitement for a show that has long captured imaginations. As the director aims to create something “for the real X-Files fans and maybe find some new ones,” the truth is out there, and it’s looking more thrilling than ever.
