The X-Files reboot has garnered waves of enthusiastic anticipation, but the return of Gillian Anderson’s Dana Scully remains uncertain. The American actress performed alongside David Duchovny’s Fox Mulder in the sci-fi drama widely considered the most defining role in her storied career. The series follows Mulder and Scully as they investigate unsolved cases revolving around paranormal events. Aderson’s performance as a medical doctor and FBI special agent was so impactful it inspired many young women to pursue STEM-related careers.
Termed “The Scully Effect,” this phenomenon is perhaps the most significant accomplishment of the iconic role. Anderson’s embodiment of the character in the series and The X-Files movies evoked rave reviews from critics and viewers. She received nominations for dozens of coveted awards, from the Primetime Emmys to the Golden Globes and Saturn. By and large, Gillian Anderson’s Dana Scully is central to the franchise, which explains the speculations about her place in the Disney reboot.
Has The X-Files Reboot Been Confirmed?
The X-Files reboot came to light in March 2023 when Chris Carter announced the project. During an interview with CBC’s Gloria Macarenko, Carter divulged that Black Panther’s director, Ryan Coogler, was developing a diverse reboot for the series. “I just spoke to a young man, Ryan Coogler, who is going to remount The X-Files with a diverse cast,” he said. “So he’s got his work cut out for him because we covered so much territory,” added The X-Files creator.
In another interview with The Wrap in February 2024, Carter stated he would be part of the reboot, but only as a cheerleader. He reiterated that Coogler wants a diverse cast as he acknowledges his young colleague’s fine ideas for the reboot. “I’ve had a conversation with him. Yes, he likes to go with a diverse cast. And he’s got some good ideas,” Carter told the publication. While the original series creator isn’t interested in helming a revival, he’d reconsider his stance if Duchovny and Anderson are up for it.
Gillian Anderson Once Opposed Returning To Play Dana Scully
The X-Files returned for season 11 in January 2018 after its revival in 2016 for a tenth season. The show initially ran on Fox for nine seasons, from September 1993 to May 2002. Following its revival in 2016, Gillian Anderson agreed to play Dana Scully again for a single season. But then, the success of season 10 inspired a renewal for another season. Calls for the series to be picked up for yet another season had Anderson proclaim in multiple interviews that she was done playing the character.
At the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour in January 2018, the actress emphatically stated she wouldn’t return to play Dana Scully if the show receives a green light for season 12. “It’s time for me to hang up Scully’s hat. It just is,” she said. “I’m finished, and that’s the end of that.” Earlier in October 2017, she told ScreenRant at New York Comic-Con that she agreed to season 11 because season 10’s six episodes didn’t “deliver everything fans were expecting” when the revival was announced.
Gillian Anderson Is Open To Returning For The X-Files Reboot
The Sex Education actress has maintained over the years that she wouldn’t revisit The X-Files role. But she’s now open to reprising the character, especially because Ryan Coogler will be helming the reboot. In an April 2024 interview with Savannah Guthrie on Today, Anderson expressed she’s not opposed to the idea. “…I think if he did it, it would probably be done incredibly well, and maybe I’ll pop in for a little something-something,” she said.
Anderson’s change of heart is inspired by her admiration for the Black Panther director. “It’s so funny because for most of my life since I finished The X-Flies, every interview I do, people have asked, and the answer has always been, ‘Nope, not going to happen.’ Now (that Ryan Coogler is involved)… I cannot think of a better way around for a reboot to happen. I think he’s a bit of a genius,” she asserted.
The buzz around Gillian Anderson’s interview with Guthrie has made the actress unwilling to discuss the possibility of being part of the reboot any further. She told Forbes she’d rather not talk about it anymore. “It’s something that’s come out and of course atop of all the headlines and it actually has no presence in my life… so I don’t want to talk about it,” said the Dana Scully actress. Check out why Gillian Anderson had “mini breakdowns” while filming The X-Files.
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