Previewing The X-Files: I Want to Believe
Sunday, June 22
Majestic Crest Theatre, Westwood, CA

Panelists: David Duchovny, Chris Carter, Frank Spotnitz

It was a rabid female-centric fan base that descended upon the Majestic Crest Theatre the night of June 22, as Fox teased us with two extended clips from The X-Files: I Want to Believe. Given the closely guarded nature of the script, neither revealed much more than we already knew from the theatrical trailer, with Billy Connolly front and center, helping the FBI track a missing person in the snow packed wilderness of the Northeast United States. What we did get was a bit of dialogue between Mulder and Scully and, despite the years that have passed between these two characters, some of the same issues still seem to persist.

Following the clips, Entertainment Weekly welcomed David Duchovny, Chris Carter (creator, director, co-writer), and Frank Spotnitz (executive producer, co-writer) for a moderated discussion. Given the amount of screaming and cheering going on, if felt more like a rock concert than film festival. For many fans, these three gentlemen are rock stars, giving them nine years of a television series that’s as vibrant today as it was 10 or 15 years ago. But how does one talk about a film that has not yet been released, and whose most minute story elements are more closely guarded than most NSA White House briefings? That was the challenge.

Building off much of the same information revealed during The X-Files evening at this year’s Paley Fest, Chris reiterated that this script was conceived back in 2002, but shelved due to legal challenges. Earlier this year, literally within an hour of the law suit being settled, Fox was on the phone with Chris saying “if you want to make the movie, it’s now or never.” With the WGA strike looming on the horizon, Chris and Frank quickly got started. The only problem was that their original story notes had since disappeared, forcing them to reimagine the tale; something both feel made it a much stronger picture.

Chris had wanted to work with Billy for quite some time and they wrote this character with him in mind. Frank had been watching Amanda Peet on Studio 60 and felt she was perfect for the role. And Xzibit was a discovery during the casting process, with neither of them knowing he had written a song referencing the show. “And he pimped out Chris’ car,” David quipped.

There was little to no rehearsal prior to shooting. The principals met at Chris’ house for the initial read-through and then spent several days talking out the characters and how time and experienced has changed them since we last met. Looking back, Frank is astonished at how much they put Mulder and Scully through over the life of the series. But regardless of the circumstances, the organic authenticity of their relationship hasn’t changed. The key was re-establishing the trust between them. David was especially pleased with the decision to let time progress naturally, because going back and trying to play the Mulder of 10 years ago would have been “embarrassing,” belying the life experience both he and the character have been shaped by during that time. At his core, Mulder remains a “quest hero,” unsatiated by the surface appearance of life, continually searching for the answers that lie beneath, and savoring small victories along the way. Most importantly, David is proud of “still being able to watch the show and not gag. We got better. We’re still getting better.”

Given this has been another summer of sequels, remakes, and adaptations, everyone was quick to point out this is not a “nostalgia film.” Yes, there will be plenty of tidbits only true fans will pick up on, but as David puts it “I’ve only seen it on a monitor at Chris’ house, but this is a classic thriller and one hell of a good film.” He went on to say “it harkens back to the show’s origins,” which if you were a fan of the first two or three seasons was a real creepfest. There was nothing like it on television at that time, and gave people a reason to stay home on Friday nights.

The X-Files: I Want to Believe opens July 25 and Chris reiterates that the secrecy surrounding the picture is a benevolent attempt to preserve the adventure and its many reveals for the darkness of the theatre. Fox publicity reps were present and assure everyone that a major marketing campaign is forthcoming. In their words, “by July 25, everyone will know about The X-Files.” We shall see, because up till now, it’s been very quiet. The studio is releasing an eight episode compilation DVD entitled The X-Files: Revelations on July 1, giving newcomers to the franchise a primer on the characters and their defining adventures. Also look for a Mulder blog to appear on the official site in the coming weeks.

Depending on the film’s success at the box office, another may follow. As Chris says, “It’s setup for another film,” with the story possibly focusing on the prophecised 2012 world event, as prophecized by the end of the Mayan calendar and referred to by many other religious and spiritual texts.