Scully’s X-Files Return Seemingly Revealed By Original Creator

Published Aug 11, 2026, 12:30 PM EDT Grant Hermanns is a TV News Editor, Interview Host and Reviewer for ScreenRant, having joined the team in early 2021. He got his start in the industry with Moviepilot, followed by working at ComingSoon.net. When not indulging in his love of film/TV, Grant is making his way through his gaming backlog and exploring the world of Dungeons & Dragons with friends. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Gillian Anderson may have multiple X-Files returns on the horizon. The iconic sci-fi franchise is currently in the midst of a major resurgence, which kicked off with Ryan Coogler putting together a reboot of the hit series with The Odyssey's Himesh Patel and Carry-On's Danielle Deadwyler leading the cast. During the reboot's development, it was also revealed that original creator Chris Carter was developing a new version of The X-Files: I Want to Believe, now subtitled Vrach Frankenshteyn, an R-rated director's cut more in line with his horror-centric vision for the 2008 film. Now, in an interview with Polygon for the director's cut of 2008's I Want to Believe, franchise creator Chris Carter was asked about Fox Mulder and Dana Scully's potential X-Files future in a continuation of the mainline series. Carter seemingly revealed that Anderson's Scully is actually set to return for Ryan Coogler's upcoming reboot, saying that "I think" the star is eyeing an appearance in the show. However, for David Duchonvy's Mulder, the original creator said that he was "assuming" the other original star would appear, therefore leaving both of their appearances unofficial. It is worth noting that Carter's comments pointing to Scully and Mulder's returns for Coogler's X-Files reboot are by no means an official confirmation of their appearance. Both stars have confirmed that they've had talks with Coogler at various points over the past two years, albeit indicated that they were preliminary discussions rather than any official negotiations about reprising their fan-favorite characters for the new series. Additionally, Carter has also been clear about the very minimal involvement he has in the X-Files reboot. The creator even previously shared that he avoided reading the script for Coogler's pilot, wanting to be just as surprised as viewers for whenever it finally gets released. It's not yet known whether he's seen any footage from the pilot after it wrapped production sometime in late June or early July. Though it may not be entirely a surprise for longtime fans of the franchise, Mulder and Scully returning for the reboot would undeniably be a major boon in anticipation for the new series. Carter's original X-Files revival memorably ended on a major cliffhanger involving Anderson's character, though her exit from the show after its final season left it, along with other questions, unanswered. Carter has also recently teased having a big plan for Mulder and Scully's stories to continue at some point in the future, for which The X-Files reboot could help pave the way for if Anderson, Duchovny and the franchise creator get back together for more. However, with Coogler's series still awaiting an official decision from Hulu about its potential full-series order, it's unclear when new tales of Mulder and Scully will properly get underway.