Fresh off the release of his original vampire thriller Sinners, Ryan Coogler is already shifting creative gears — and heading straight into the unknown. His next project? A modern revival of The X-Files, the iconic sci-fi series that once defined a generation’s fear of the unexplained.
Speaking on Last Podcast on the Left, Coogler confirmed that development on the reboot is officially back in motion — and high on his priority list. "I’ve been excited about that for a long time," he said. "I’m fired up to get back to it." With characteristic passion, he teased the tone he’s aiming for: "Some of those episodes, if we do our jobs right, will be really *** scary."
The news of Coogler’s involvement first surfaced in 2023, when X-Files creator Chris Carter let slip that conversations were underway. Now, it seems those early talks are turning into action, though details on casting and platform remain under wraps.
One major question mark is whether Gillian Anderson might return as Dana Scully. While nothing is official, Coogler did confirm they’ve spoken: "She’s incredible, and fingers crossed there," he said, noting that she was in the middle of filming Tron: Ares the last time they spoke.
Coogler has made a name for himself as a filmmaker who can respectfully reinvent beloved properties — from breathing new life into Rocky with Creed, to turning Black Panther into one of Marvel’s most acclaimed sagas. With Sinners, he’s also shown he can build something chilling and original from the ground up — a skill that bodes well for his take on the paranormal world of The X-Files.
