Just when you thought TV reboots couldn’t push the nostalgia button any harder, The X-Files is making a comeback—with Ryan Coogler in the director’s chair. Yes, you read that right: the filmmaker behind Black Panther and Creed is set to take on Mulder and Scully’s world of unsolved mysteries. Should fans be excited, wary, or just resigned to this latest pop culture return? Here’s what we know.
The Era of TV Reboots Rolls On
Feeling overloaded by a constant wave of TV revivals? If you thought Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Scrubs, or Malcolm in the Middle marked the peak, think again. The reboot trend shows no signs of cooling, sweeping through cult favorites one after another. Now, The X-Files joins the ever-growing list, and original fans have every reason to wonder what’s next.
This new project could make skeptics nervous, but it does have a creative team that could win over some doubters.
Ryan Coogler Leads The X-Files Reboot
On February 23, 2026, Variety reported that a new X-Files reboot had been officially approved for production. Hulu, which holds the US streaming rights (and Disney+ in France), has given the long-discussed revival the green light.
While some might write this off as yet another questionable reboot, Ryan Coogler, director of Black Panther, Creed, and Sinners, has agreed to helm this new version of the iconic series. Coogler’s mix of blockbuster experience, skill in intimate storytelling, and a knack for horror and suspense could make him the right fit to update The X-Files for a new era.
Coogler is known for weaving strong political themes into his work and could bring much-needed diversity to The X-Files, a show often noted for its predominantly white cast in the past. He’s no stranger to television, having served as executive producer on Marvel’s Ironheart and Eyes of Wakanda.
Beyond his resume, this project holds a personal connection for Coogler. As he told Variety:
X-Files is one of those things I share with my mom, just like Rocky was with my dad. My mom means everything to me, so this is a big responsibility. I want to do right by her, and by the fans. I was able to let her read an early draft of the script. She’s all in.
New Stars Set for Classic Paranormal Cases
Danielle Deadwyler, known for her roles in Carry-On and Station Eleven, will play one of the leads in the new X-Files. Her co-star remains unannounced, and it’s not yet clear who will join her as the revival’s new paranormal duo. The storyline will stick to the show’s original formula: two FBI agents with sharply different perspectives developing a partnership as they tackle inexplicable phenomena.
Will Anderson and Duchovny Return?
Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny, who famously portrayed Mulder and Scully, have not confirmed any involvement in this first-ever official X-Files reboot. The pair previously returned to their iconic roles in 2016 and 2018, nearly 15 years after the original series ended, so it’s not out of the question that they could appear again. For now, their participation remains uncertain.
Fantastic director, but as a writer, a little dubious
Not sure what to expect, or if maybe someone else has signed on to write
nobody is holding their breath for this.