Ryan Coogler is dominating headlines with the release of his highly anticipated horror film Sinners, but the director is already looking beyond his latest success.
In a surprising twist, Coogler recently revealed his next major project, and it’s not the much-anticipated Black Panther 3—though that is still in the cards, with Denzel Washington reportedly set to co-star.
Instead, Coogler is diving into the world of sci-fi with a reboot of the iconic 90s series The X-Files, which defined an entire generation of fans. During a recent appearance on the Last Podcast on the Left, Coogler spilled the beans, sharing a few remarks that should please long-time fans of the original series.
Said Coogler, "[X-Files] that's what's immediately next. I've been excited about that for a long time and I’m fired up to get back to it, and that, you know, some of those episodes, if we do our jobs right, will be really [frick]ing scary...We're going to try and make it soon and try and make it for the X-Files fans."
The X-Files, originally created by Chris Carter, became a cultural phenomenon when it premiered in 1993, following FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they investigated unsolved, often paranormal cases.
With its eerie atmosphere, unforgettable characters, and blend of science fiction and horror, it’s no wonder that Coogler, a master of blending genres, as evident with Sinners, Creed and Black Panther, is taking the reins. Given his ability to craft compelling, character-driven narratives in genres as diverse as superhero films and boxing dramas, it’s not hard to imagine him bringing fresh energy to The X-Files.
Coogler was first revealed to be spearheading development on a reboot of The X-Files back in March 2023 but details on the project have been scarce over the last 2 years. Now, with Sinners in his rearview mirror, it seems that Coogler is keen to start creating a brand new take on Special Agents Scully and Mulder.
While Gillian Anderson has previously expressed an interest in appearing in the reboot, Coogler's project is expected to be a fresh start for the franchise, not necessarily a continuation of the Mulder and Scully storyline.
The X-Files reboot is still in the early development stages, and there is no official confirmation yet on where it will air. With Fox now owned by Disney and the current era of streaming, there are a number of potential homes for the project including Fox, ABC, Disney+, and Hulu.