Fresh off the theatrical debut of Sinners, Ryan Coogler isn’t slowing down one bit. While the ink is still drying on the rave reviews for his latest genre-blending thriller, the director has already confirmed what’s up next — and it’s been years in the making.
Yep, Coogler is officially stepping into The X-Files universe.
During a recent interview on Last Podcast on the Left, Coogler casually dropped the update fans have been waiting on. “I’m working on X-Files. That’s what’s immediately next,” he said, adding that he’s been eager to jump into the project for some time now. “If we do our jobs right, some of those episodes will be really f—ing scary.”
Let that sink in. Ryan Coogler. The X-Files. Horror. Mystery. That eerie theme song. All of it.
This marks a huge step forward for the long-rumored reboot, which was first hinted at last year when X-Files creator Chris Carter revealed Coogler was developing a “remount” of the iconic sci-fi series with a fresh, more diverse cast. And now, with Coogler’s attention fully shifting post-Sinners, it sounds like the project is finally gaining momentum.
One of the biggest question marks hanging over the reboot? Whether original series star Gillian Anderson would return as Dana Scully. According to Coogler, he has spoken to her — and while nothing’s confirmed, he’s optimistic. “She’s incredible,” he said. “Fingers crossed there.”
Anderson herself has kept it coy in past interviews. Though she’s largely distanced herself from reprising the role since the 2018 revival, she did say if anyone could pull her back in, it might be Coogler. “I think he’s really cool, and if he did it, it would probably be done incredibly well,” she shared during a 2024 interview. “Maybe I’ll pop in for a little something something.”
Now that’s a “maybe” we can work with.
For longtime X-Files fans who’ve stuck through multiple revivals, spinoffs, and reboots, Coogler’s vision feels like a real shot at breathing new life into the franchise. And for newcomers? There’s a whole world of unexplained phenomena, government cover-ups, and spooky creatures waiting.
The original X-Files series ran from 1993 to 2002, spawned two feature films, and returned for two additional seasons in 2016 and 2018. Despite its enduring pop culture status, recent attempts to revive the magic have landed with mixed results. That’s why Coogler stepping in feels like the fresh start it needs — a chance to truly reimagine the mythology without being boxed in by nostalgia.
And let’s be real, if Sinners is any indication of the level Coogler is operating on right now, The X-Files reboot might just be his next home run.
No premiere date has been announced yet, and details on casting and plot are still under wraps. But one thing’s clear: Coogler isn’t just dusting off an old IP for the sake of it. He’s building something for the real X-Files heads — and hopefully pulling a few new ones into the mystery along the way.
Until then, we’ll be right here… eyes peeled, ears perked, and ready to believe.