Frank Spotnitz Is On The Case For X-Files 2

The co-writer of the first "X-Files" movie has signed on to write the second one. While FOX and creator of the cult phenomenon television show Chris Carter work through legal matters, the script is on hold, but Spotnitz is a believer that as soon as the studio red tape has been cleared away, the movie will officially go into pre-production.

In 1998, "The X-Files: Fight The Future" swept through theaters as a bridge for the gap between seasons of the TV series. Spotnitz told Sci Fi Wire that the sequel will not be dependent upon the show's intricately woven, conspiracy-riddled plot tapestry; "No, we're not going into the mythology [in the sequel]. One of the things that was exciting about doing it is to not make it a mythology story, and it's like one of the stand-alone episodes. It's a bit scary. Of course, we will catch up with the characters and what is going on in their lives, but it's not about the alien conspiracy. It's not about that."

Spotnitz isn't only responsible for a good deal of the "X-Files" rich and complicated mythos, but he's also worked on a slew of other similar shows with heavy emphasis on the detailed stories and cerebral subject matter. Among the other shows he's written or produced, "Millennium," "Harsh Realm," and the short-lived "X-Files" spin-off series, "The Lone Gunmen." He also directed a few episodes of "The X-Files." Now, he is waiting to get busy penning the second movie.

The original "X-Files" film hit theaters as a huge summer attraction. It opened to a $30 million weekend and went on to make more than $83 million in domestic gross. Then, 4 years later in 2002, "The X-Files" had its series finale after a spectacular 9-year run. Many fans lost enthusiasm, if not interest, when David Duchovny left the show, but the new movie is set to bring him back just as the finale did.

It will be very interesting to see where they take Mulder and Scully from where the television series left them. It's just a matter of time and getting beyond the paperwork that is holding up the whole project, which Spotnitz optimistically claims should be soon. As for whether or not this will be the satisfying reunion and glorious revisiting that any X-phile would seek like so much truth out there, I have to say that I want to believe.