Ryan Coogler’s The X-Files reboot is currently in development at Hulu. The way the streaming platform is handling the show is a bit cautious, but will pay off in the long run.
Coogler has been working on a reboot of The X-Files for a few years now. Originally released in 1993, The X-Files starred David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, respectively. The series focused on the pair as they investigated “X-Files,” which were unsolved cases featuring paranormal phenomena. In total, the series ran for 11 seasons and aired 218 episodes.
In a recent interview with Virgin Radio UK, Himesh Patel (who is set to star in the reboot alongside Danielle Deadwyler) said Hulu is taking a cautious approach. The star revealed that Hulu had only ordered a pilot of the show instead of giving an immediate greenlight. Patel said the reasoning was simply due to “not wanting to rush it,” and although the news alarmed some fans, it’s actually the perfect approach to take with a show like this.
A cautious approach to the show is the right move for The X-Files reboot
Nowadays, it’s not uncommon for TV shows to get immediately greenlit and begin production. For something that Ryan Coogler is attached to, this also seems like a no-brainer, which made it all the weirder when Patel revealed Hulu had instead opted to just look at a pilot first. However, the news shouldn’t leave fans nervous, but should instead be viewed as the right step for everyone involved.
As Coogler has noted in previous interviews, The X-Files is one of his biggest inspirations and he wants to do right by the project in the reboot. With that in mind, a pilot makes the most sense in terms of development and creation. Crafting a pilot allows both Coogler and Hulu to see how the show feels and then make adjustments from there to home in and craft a perfect story going forward.
Instead of having to change up production had an entire season been ordered, more specific tweaks can be made that will ultimately end up benefiting the reboot. On top of that, this also allows Coogler to continue crafting new ideas for the show instead of diving right into the first season right away. While not likely at the forefront of anyone’s mind, the pressure to deliver a proper reboot of the show is also something that has to be weighing on people. The X-Files remains one of the most popular TV franchises ever, so approaching the reboot this way shows just how intentional both Coogler and Hulu are working to deliver a show that does it right.
