Disney’s New X-Files Reboot Already Has A Mulder & Scully Return Problem

Disney’s update of The X-Files already has a problem on its hands, and it relates to the characters of Mulder and Scully. Confirmation of an X-Files reboot was recently announced, with Black Panther director Ryan Coogler set to be in charge. The show originally ran for nine seasons between 1993 and 2001 before returning for two further seasons between 2016 and 2018. Now, after much speculation, The X-Files will be returning to TV screens once again. However, the new version already has a big issue to deal with even before it has even started.

The X-Files follows the day-to-day work of FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), who investigate cases of the paranormal. A staple of ’90s television, The X-Files was extremely successful during its original run, regularly drawing in massive viewing figures and gaining a loyal fanbase. For Disney’s X-Files reboot to work, there are many obstacles that need to be overcome, the biggest of which connects to the franchise’s two main stars.

Can The X-Files Reboot Afford NOT To Bring Back The Original Mulder & Scully?

Mulder & Scully Are Synonymous With The Series, After All

The relationship between Mulder and Scully forms the foundation of The X-Files. As much as the show is about aliens, mutants, and other paranormal beings, it’s the dynamic between the ardent supernaturalist Mulder and the more cynical Scully that makes The X-Files what it is. Their friendship and growing understanding of each other is what gives the show its heart, while their conversations regarding the existence of the paranormal are what gives it its brains. Therefore, it’s hard to imagine a version of the show that could work without the involvement of both characters.

The X-Files without Mulder and Scully loses a lot of its appeal, and this is likely something Disney is keenly aware of. Without them attached, the reboot lacks a big draw to get people to watch the show. After all, The X-Files is over 30 years old, so it’s unlikely that younger viewers will know what it is. They will, however, be aware of Gillian Anderson from her work in popular titles like Sex Education. Meanwhile, nostalgic viewers are less likely to tune in to the reboot if Anderson and Duchovny aren’t involved, which creates a conundrum.

The X-Files Reboot Bringing Back Mulder & Scully Would Risk Overshadowing The New Cast

New X-Files Characters Might Not Get Their Time To Shine

The chances are that Disney will be looking to introduce a host of new characters to take the show in a new direction. It’s also possible that they will want to bring back Mulder and Scully in order to appeal to fans of the original series. There’s a sense in having the main characters of the original version of the show interacting with the next generation of main characters because it creates a “passing of the baton” type effect. This has been seen in other media, such as the Star Wars sequels, where original cast members are used to bridge a gap with the new iteration of the series.

If that’s the case, however, then there’s a risk that bringing back Mulder and Scully could mean that the new characters are somewhat overshadowed. After all, it takes time for new characters to grow on audiences, whatever the circumstances, but it becomes even harder for them to make an impression when they’re competing with two characters who’ve had eleven seasons’ worth of time to win over viewers. Aside from that, if Mulder and Sully do play a role in the X-Files reboot, it’s in danger of not feeling fresh, but rather just like the same old show.

Recasting Mulder & Scully Creates Other Problems For The X-Files Reboot

Who Could Even Play Them?

Disney also has the option to bring back Mulder and Scully but have them played by different actors. Again, this is a practice that has been used many times in film and TV franchises, in everything from Star Trek to Starsky and Hutch. Nevertheless, this presents a number of different issues. For starters, recasts of famous characters can often result in the actor’s performance feeling like an imitation of the original performer’s work. However, if their performance is too far removed from that of the original actor, it can seem like they’re not playing the same character.

Furthermore, with no obvious choice to play either character, recasting doesn’t seem like Disney’s best option. It should be noted that although David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson received top billing throughout The X-Files’ original run, neither of them appear in every episode. Mulder left The X-Files after season 7 for a time, and Scully is partnered with John Doggett in his absence. Scully herself doesn’t appear in five episodes. This, in a small way, demonstrates that The X-Files can work without both Mulder and Scully’s involvement.