Gillian Anderson Is Into A Third X-Files Film, But Not Another TV Series
Do you want to believe?
There isn’t much for science fiction fans to look forward to at this year’s Comic-Con – that’s sarcasm, folks! – but one of the more anticipated events not attached to an upcoming feature was the anniversary panel for The X-Files, which was populated by creator Chris Carter, stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, as well as a handful of the show’s writers, including Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan. To be expected, talk quickly shifted to the prospect of making another film. It turns out Gillian Anderson isn’t against the idea, but don’t ask her about a TV show, even a limited one.
Obviously if any questions about a long-gestating project like a third X-Files film are presented, no one can really give any concrete answers. These aren’t the people that give the go-ahead. Carter explained it away with, “You need a reason for going on and getting excited.” Anderson’s answer, however, was much more fan-friendly. “A film would be great,” she said. Though when it comes to making another series, using the upcoming 24: Live Another Day as an example, she was adamant in saying she’s not interested. She recently starred in the damned fine BBC murder drama The Fall, which you can watch on Netflix here. And while I’ve come to think that another short TV season might be the best way to reintroduce a conspiracy-driven storyline and get people invested, I understand her hesitation.
Duchovny, meanwhile, would probably collect millions of box tops if it meant another X-Files movie. “The show was so flexible and could encompass so many different ideas,” he said. “I always thought whenever we can do it, come back together, we would. So we will.” But that doesn’t mean he and Anderson would star in just anything together, calling their characters’ relationship special. “I love Gillian and I love working with her, but it would have to be something that I can’t think of in order to cross that line.”
At one point in the panel, Anderson humorously auctioned off a cardboard cutout of her and Duchovny, who joked, “This is how we’re going to get the movie made by the way.”
Fun fact for Breaking Bad fans: Gilligan revealed that he first met Bryan Cranston (B.B.‘s Walter White) while filming an episode in the sixth season of The X-Files. It was also revealed that the series reached out to Drew Barrymore and singer Tom Waits.
If you want more Mulder and Scully in your life right now, check out the IDW comic book The X-Files: Season 10, which continues where the show left off, sort of. Talking about the series, Carter said, “The stories are more comic book-y,” but will “stay true to the characters.” I want to believe that’s true.
Check out the entire anniversary panel below.
