UPDATE: Some more details about this one have started to trickle out. The pilot is reportedly set to film from May through June in Vancouver — the same city where the original series shot its early seasons. Ryan Coogler will write, direct, and produce the pilot, with Danielle Deadwyler expected to lead the series.
From the latest casting grids, it sounds like the story could revolve around an investigation connected to Indigenous communities, with characters including a Bureau of Indian Affairs officer, a former biker trying to leave gang life behind, and a missing woman tied to a young girl who may be at the center of the mystery.
EARLIER: Ryan Coogler’s “The X-Files” reboot has now been officially confirmed by Disney, with the series receiving a pilot greenlight at Hulu. Danielle Deadwyler (“Till”) is set to star as a co-lead, while Jennifer Yale (“The Copenhagen Test”) has come on board as showrunner.
Coogler will write and direct the pilot for the new “X-Files.” The story follows two highly accomplished yet sharply contrasting FBI agents—one portrayed by Deadwyler—who form an unexpected bond after being assigned to a long-dormant unit devoted to investigating unexplained phenomena.
Deadwyler first gained widespread attention for her role in “The Harder They Fall” (2021). She followed that with a powerful turn in “Till” (2022), portraying Mamie Till-Mobley with a heartbreaking intensity that showcased her ability to inhabit complex work. Beyond her film work, she’s also appeared in acclaimed TV series such as “P-Valley” and “Watchmen.”
Speaking on Last Podcast on the Left (via Screen Rant), Coogler confirmed that once his “Sinners” awards campaigning wrapped up, he’d be diving straight into Mulder and Scully territory—or whatever version of them emerges this time around.
“I’m working on X-Files. That’s what’s immediately next,” he said, sounding both exhausted and enthusiastic. “I’ve been hyped about it for a long time, and yeah, if we don’t mess it up, some of the episodes might just scare the crap out of people.” A bold promise, considering horror in reboots often lands somewhere between “mildly eerie” and “accidental comedy.”
Now, if you’re wondering what exactly Coogler’s version of The X-Files will look like, join the club—details are scarce. What we do know is that Chris Carter, the original creator of the alien-hunting classic, mentioned that Coogler plans to bring in a more diverse cast. Deadwyler’s potential casting seems to confirm that.
To be fair, fans might’ve assumed the project quietly died in development hell—especially since the last solid update came all the way back in 2021, when Coogler’s Proximity Media signed a deal with Disney. And in case you’ve blocked it out, the last time we saw Mulder and Scully together was in 2018.
Coogler has stated that after he finishes X-Files, he’s going to shoot “Black Panther 3,” which is rumored to have a 2028 release date.
Not more than 24 hours later, Guy Ritchie’s role offer to Markle has now reportedly been withdrawn. The story goes that they don’t want her in the show anymore “after intense backlash in the U.K.”