Gillian Anderson has asserted she is "not saying no" to Ryan Coogler's X-Files reboot, meaning a comeback could be on the cards for FBI Agent Dana Scully.
Anderson, who starred as Scully on The X-Files for 11 seasons and two feature films, told the Today show that she would consider reprising her beloved role in some form for Coogler's "new version" (rumored to be in the works last year), reversing a stance that she has long maintained that she would not play Scully again.
"It's so funny because for most of my life since I finished The X-Files, every interview I do, people have asked, and the answer has always been: 'Nope, not going to happen,'" Anderson said. "Now, Ryan Coogler, who is the director of Black Panther — brilliant, brilliant director — has approached Chris Carter to say that he wants to do a take on it, and I cannot think of a better way around for a reboot to happen."
The actress credited Coogler as "a bit of a genius" and claimed there is "a chance [a reboot will] happen."
"Whether I am involved in it is a whole other thing. But in his hands — I'm not saying no — because I think he is really cool," Anderson added, endorsing Coogler to head up a new entry in the iconic sci-fi franchise. "I think if he did it, it would probably be done incredibly well, and maybe I'll pop in for a little something something."
In the time The X-Files has been off the air, Anderson has made several comments reiterating that she wouldn't make a comeback. As recently as two years ago, she suggested that a lot would have to change for her to consider a return because it "feels like such an old idea" and it also "ended on such an unfortunate note."
The X-Files originally aired from 1993 to 2002, with Anderson's Dana Scully investigating unsolved paranormal cases alongside David Duchovny's Fox Mulder. The duo reprised their roles in two movies, The X-Files and The X-Files: I Want to Believe, as well as a tenth season in 2016 and an eleventh season in 2018.
During that most recent season, Anderson confirmed it would be her final outing as Scully, explaining at the time, "I like to be challenged as an actor, and I like to do many, many different characters, and that's why I got into the business. I've done this now for decades, and it's time for me to hang up Scully's hat. It just is."
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on X/Twitter @AdeleAnkers.
