Ryan Coogler Breaks Silence on The X-Files Reboot — What We Know So Far About the Bold New Take

The truth is out there once again — and this time, it’s being reshaped by one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed modern filmmakers.

Ryan Coogler has revealed the first concrete details about his long-rumored reboot of The X-Files, confirming that the iconic franchise will return with a structure that honors its roots while opening the door to something new.

Reports of an X-Files reboot first surfaced in March 2023, when franchise creator Chris Carter confirmed that Coogler would be spearheading a fresh take on the legendary 1990s sci-fi series. Carter also made clear that while he is not directly involved in the reboot, he is fully supportive of the project — a notable endorsement given the show’s fiercely protective fanbase.

Interest in the reboot has only intensified thanks to Coogler’s remarkable career trajectory. After redefining superhero cinema with Black Panther and revitalizing the boxing genre with Creed, Coogler’s reputation reached new heights this past year with Sinners. The film, starring frequent collaborator Michael B. Jordan, shattered box office records and quickly became a fixture in Oscar conversations.

In a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Coogler was asked directly about the direction of the new X-Files. While he declined to confirm whether original stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson would return as Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, he did offer a crucial creative assurance.

“I mean, it wouldn’t be X-Files if we didn’t do both,” Coogler said. “We intend on having both Monsters of the Week and the overarching conspiracy.”

For longtime fans, that statement alone is significant. The balance between standalone “Monster of the Week” episodes and a sprawling government conspiracy arc defined the original series across its nine-season run and later two-season revival. Preserving that dual structure suggests the reboot will respect what made the show culturally dominant in the first place.

Both Anderson and Duchovny have remained carefully non-committal in past interviews about returning, neither confirming nor fully closing the door. Coogler echoed that discretion, offering only praise: “I’m a big fan of her. I’m a big fan of David. That’s all I could say.”

Beyond logistics, Coogler spoke passionately about the influence The X-Files had on him personally. He recalled watching the series with his mother and described it as “one of the most beautiful American television shows ever made.” He also highlighted how the skeptic-believer dynamic between Mulder and Scully became a storytelling blueprint later echoed in shows like True Detective Season 1.

Coogler further noted that The X-Files launched the career of Vince Gilligan, reinforcing the show’s lasting impact on modern television.

Coogler has previously stated that he is actively working on the reboot now and will move on to Black Panther 3 afterward. That timeline suggests casting announcements and clearer story details could emerge within the next year, though no official press release has yet been issued.

For now, the project remains in its formative stages — but all signs point to a reboot that understands the delicate balance between nostalgia and reinvention. If Coogler brings the same emotional intelligence, genre versatility, and thematic ambition that define his filmography, the next chapter of The X-Files may prove that the truth doesn’t just endure.

It evolves.