‘Sinners’ director Ryan Coogler confirms his next project will be a reboot of ‘The X-Files’
Ryan Coogler’s next project has been confirmed to be a reboot of The X-Files – find out more below.
Coogler, director of acclaimed films such as Fruitvale Station, the Black Panther franchise and most recently Sinners, has opened up about his long-gestating reboot of The X-Files. Following the release of Sinners – which stars Michael B. Jordan – Coogler appeared on a recent episode of Last Podcast on the Left to discuss about what’s next for him.
Though best known for his films, Coogler has helmed several episodes of Marvel’s What If…? series, as well as the upcoming Ironheart series. Next, he’ll return to TV for a fresh take on The X-Files.
Speaking on Last Podcast on the Left, Ryan Coogler revealed that he’s turning his attention to a reboot of the beloved sci-fi drama series The X-Files, which was first announced in early 2023. Though little was revealed at the time, it was confirmed that the reboot would see the franchise move away from the iconic characters Mulder and Scully.
Coogler has now revealed: “I’m working on X-Files. That’s what’s immediately next. So, 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 fucking scary.”
As for the absence of Mulder and Scully, it would appear that Coogler’s no longer tied to the idea of having the legendary pair leave the franchise entirely. Coogler shared that he’s spoken to Gillian Anderson (Scully), and has his “fingers crossed” that she will potentially return, though it’s currently unclear in what capacity.
David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson starred respectively as Mulder and Scully, two FBI Secret Agents investigating alien-related conspiracy theories as well as supernatural occurrences.
The X-Files debuted on Fox in the US in 1993 and ran until 2002. Two movies in 1998 and 2008 followed, before an additional two seasons arrived in 2016 and 2018.
As for Sinners, the film has been a hit with fans and critics alike since its release earlier this month. The film eaves together historical drama, racial allegories and a vampire thriller, all backed by the blued.
In the film, Michael B. Jordan takes on a dual role as twins Smoke and Stack, who return to their Southern hometown to open a juke joint. Things take a turn on launch night, when a group of travelling troubadours led by Remmick (Jack O’Connell) bring something much darker to the party.
In a four-star review of the film, James Mottram wrote for NME: “Sinners really comes to life via the musical numbers… Coogler uses it to prove just how influential the genre is via a spellbinding sequence that tracks through the juke joint, whirling around Preacher Boy and showcasing a hip-hop DJ, an MC and an electric guitarist. Such anachronisms add to the film’s feeling of fantasy but Coogler also tackles serious themes such as the oppression of Black Americans by white folk during this period.”
Coogler and longtime creative partner and composer Ludwig Göransson recently opened up on the film and its music in NME‘s Friends Like These interview series – check out the full chat here.
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Surej Singh
NME
