“I want to believe.” This has been the motto for many an X-Files fanatic. Although there were over 200 episodes in the 1990s, a spin-off, comic books, and two films released in theaters, the fans always want more.
Well, the prayers to those up above (God or aliens) have been answered. According to Deadline, the FOX network is looking to bring back the modern classic, with stars David Duchovny (Californication, Aquarius) and Gillian Anderson (Bleak House, The Fall) to return. No real details have been mentioned, since the FOX TV Group chairpeople Gary Newman and Dana Walden talked about getting schedules coordinated with series creator Chris Carter and the stars. When it will air, they are not sure, but it will possibly in the summer.
This comes on the heels of the success FOX had with its 24 reboot. Since the TV industry is driven by success (a.k.a money), there are talks about another 24 installment. However, it might not feature Kiefer Sutherland’s Jack Bauer. (“Damn it!”)
If neither of these reboots are exciting enough, Newman is also interested in bringing back Prison Break.
All of these reboots may be Newman and Walden’s way of fixing Kevin Reilly’s problems when he left FOX (and is now running TNT and TBS). Reilly wanted to kill the pilot season, and push more creative shows that did not have as big of an audience pull. According to Todd VanDerWerff, “broadcast can only survive if it pulls in the biggest audience possible, which means returning to some of TV’s most well-worn genres, then finding some new twist to put on them.” FOX is looking back to go forward. Will it pay off? Gotham, MasterChef Junior, and Empire are doing well ratings-wise. They are, at a basic level, a cop show, a cooking show, and a soap opera.
It feels like the FOX network executives got their new ideas by watching the FOX 25th anniversary special.
The truth is out there, but trust no one.