[UPDATE: This rumor has been debunked]
I think that it is pretty safe to say that The X-Files: I Want To Believe was a bit of a disappointment, both commercially and critically. And to make matters worse, it also let down a lot of fans.
X-Files fans are a dedicated bunch who helped the show become a phenomenon and to disappoint them is a pretty big deal. As Screen Rant’s resident X-File fan even I was a bit let down by the film.
Before the release of the second feature there was a lot of talk of the franchise continuing in a series of films, but due to the poor box office ($20 million domestic) it looked like The X-Files had come to its natural conclusion.
But has it?
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Dread Central got a scoop that states a third film in the series is a go - but it will be heading straight to DVD.
Is this a real possibility or have we seen the end of Mulder and Scully?
It’s a tough call.
I Want To Believe was made on a modest $30 million budget, and it should make back its production costs when the international gross is factored in. So with DVD sales and television rights taken into account the film should turn a healthy profit.
Dead Central’s source said:
“I understand - there was room for improvement … and there still might be. I work for Screaming Death Monkey and Spotnitz - the TERRIFIC Frank Spotnitz - told us this week that the team have already spoken about the next X-Files film. It’s likely the next release will go direct to DVD - but they’re working on the assumption they’ll have a similar budget.”
BTW - Screaming Death Monkey is a production facility, and I don’t know if “the TERRIFIC Frank Spotnitz” is sarcasm or not. I’ll take it that it is not.
I can’t imagine the filmmakers having $30 million to spend on a third film, but it is a low(ish) budget so there is a chance that this has some truth to it. Also the direct to DVD tag is gaining a better reputation these days, with a lot of the titles (mostly sequels to theatrical features) making a healthy profit and getting some acclaim.
However would David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson want to be associated with a series of direct to DVD features? They both seemed to be happy to have made another X-Files feature - but was that because it was on the big screen? Who knows, it’s not like they need the cash. If they do like their characters that much, and this price was right they might be willing to return.

As an X-File fan I’d love to see a third film, I’d love it on the big screen but if it’s straight to DVD then so be it. There are plenty of ideas for the series to continue, but I feel that they need to focus on solving the main faults of I Want To Believe.
Firstly, If they want to continue the series they must either set Mulder and Scully up as paranormal investigators or have them rejoin the FBI. Secondly, the pair must work on the investigation together. In the recent film it was as if Scully had been edited into the film from a medical drama. Finally, they need more tension - if Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz can’t supply it then bring in somebody else.
If these kinks are ironed out then I hope that The X-Files does continue.
With a bit of luck we should hear details soon - either debunking this news or confirming it.
I want to believe.
Source: Dread Central
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55 Comments
…And i heard X-Files 2 is coming out December 2nd
Lex, they kinda did wrap up the Gibson Praise arc,,, if I recall he was saved by Mulder, but after that we don’t know.
I also agree, I would have loved for the series to continue there were plenty of stories left to tell.
Season 9, was real good.
Thanks for the tip on the dvd.
I thought the movie was great. I left the as the end credits came up. What happened in the scene after the credits?
It showed Scully in bikini and Mulder in trunks(or was it David and Gillian?) rowing “away from the darkness”. Mulder was paddling the boat, Scully looking at him. Then as the camera goes up, up, up… they wave to the audience… or maybe to a UFO.. I don’t really know what the scene was for but it was bittersweet.
Chris Carter said in an interview that they made the movie with the possibility that it could be the last one. I think that’s his explanation of that scene.. (sniffs)
I really hope they make 2012. With Chris Carter hospitalized, David facing serious personal problems, Gillian’s seemingly lesser enthusiasm I don’t know if it’s going to happen. Sigh… I hope “Don’t give up” is applicable here.
Mulder was found naked in front of a computer passed out from autoerotic asphyxiation, and Scully suggests he check himself into rehab. Kind of anticlimatic, really.
“Mulder was found naked in front of a computer passed out from autoerotic asphyxiation, and Scully suggests he check himself into rehab. Kind of anticlimatic, really.”
LMFAO!
Bummer!
Debbie,,,
At the end of the X-Files credits there’s a scene that shows Mulder and Scully in a rowboat, Mulders doing all the rowing as the small boat is heading to an Island in the distance. As the camera approaches the boat (via helocopter) they both wave goodbye as the shot goes way up high above them.
Scully in the Rowboat is symbolic to her character arc,,,
@Debbie,,,
Additional,,, info
There’s a 2 part episode, I think in season 4, where Scully is in a Coma,,, the only thing she’s doing is sitting motionless (in her minds eye) in a row boat…
See the connection…
The ending made me weep,,, the 10 second credit scene was the most bittersweet scene I’ve seen in a movie since the ending to A.I.
I heard Fringe is the continuing of the X-Files series, is that true?
Lex,,, Fringe is a bad rip-off of the X-Files…
Its really trying to be the X-Files, but its not The X-Files…
I am an xphile & I loved the 2nd movie,infact I loved it more than ‘Fight the future’,I had read many negative reviews before watching the movie but didnt quite get the reviews after I watched it,it doesnt have aliens but X-files was not only about aliens,I was so glad to see Mulder& Scully again that well I didnt have any complaints.To me Fight the future looked more like an acton movie than an X-file,this however went back to the classic dark-bleak-mysterious oh-so-X-files look.
I wanna see more & more X-files .
Im glad to hear u liked it. (this question is for everyone) If their was X-Files 3, wat do u think it would be about?
Lexx! its me 790, get me out of here!!! Hurry this planets full of crazy people!!!!
Oh its only Lex,,,,,,,
Hmm, well X3, should be about the coming alien invasion, referenced in the first X-Files film,,,”Fight the Future”
If you recall 2012 is mentioned as the date colonisation begins… (That dosnt sound good for Mulder and Scully)
They could uncover the truth that the secret government is behind it all. This leads them to Dulce NM where they infiltrate the underground base and screw up the aliens “mind control weapon” setting them back 50 years…
Therefore giving us time for a few sequels in between the final battle in 2062,,,
^
Or we could have a X-Files story about Scully and Mulder getting married, finding they’re lost child, and then at the very end they both see a UFO,,, (they giggle, as Mulder says “see I told you”,,,)
The end ???
i am a huge x files fan and yes the movie was a dissapointment. but hopefully the next one has more depth into the william stuff. and have a new consperice they didnt know existed that has to deal with mulder scully and william.
I loved the x-files series and the 1st movie, fight the future, but i did not like the series finale to the show and i HATED the 2nd movie, I want to Believe. The 2nd movie was a disaster and I think we need to wipe that out of memory if we want to move forth with teh franhise; which honestly is probably just about dead right now. No matter how good they make the movie, it is doubtful taht it will make any serious money. A straight to dvd thing is too pathetic and duchovny would almost certainly now be on board; especially since his show californiacation is doing just fine. I think only way to salvage this is to bring the characters back for like a 5-10 episode mini-series on FOX for the 2012 invasion…if that goes well and generates enough buzz that shoudl be able to salvage teh franchise…otherwise we will likely see a reboot of this franchise in the years to come
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