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EXCLUSIVE: The long-awaited return to TV of The X-Files creator Chris Carter is close to reality. I’ve learned that Carter is set to write, direct and executive produce a mystery drama with a female lead for MRC. The company, which hopes to go straight to series on the project, is expected to start pitching the show to networks in the next few weeks. Carter had had the idea for the action series for a while and earlier this year pitched it to MRC, which has been teaming with A-list film and TV auspices. The company most recently sold the David Fincher/Kevin Spacey drama House Of Cards to Netflix with a two-season order. Since The X-Files ended its run on Fox in 2002, ICM-repped Carter has stayed largely out of the spotlight, only resurfacing to do the 2008 X-Files movie sequel and the upcoming thriller Fencewalker. There is now talk about a potential third X-Files movie.
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Great news. Now get to work on X-Files 3, and make sure it’s good.
The only way X-Files 3 has any chance of being good is if Chris Carter has nothing to do with it. He may have created the show, but he never understood what made it great.
this comment is absurdly stupid.
Morgan & Wong–and Vince Gilligan–might heartily disagree…
I always heard them cry foul but never heard why. Does anyone have specifics?
MF Luder–let’s just say that a certain producer was not happy his show was successful in great part because of certain writers. And that said producer liked to put his writing staff through “give me apples…no, I want oranges…didn’t I say I wanted kumquats?” rewriting hell out of pure insecurity/possessiveness.
Vince Gilligan has complimented Chris Carter many times and said he has a lot of respect and fondness for him as a showrunner. Carter has also frequently complimented him, Morgan & Wong and Darin Morgan for their work on the show, and he very rarely rewrote any of their work.
In a recent TIME Magazine interview, Gilligan said of Carter: “I learned a great deal from working for him and the way we break our stories on Breaking Bad.”
Don’t listen to that nonsense. The rewriting in question was on two episodes when two very embittered producers licking their wounds when they amazingly unoriginal sci-fi show tanked returned to the fold humbled, and both had to do with bits at the end.
Let’s just say hypothetically that the real issue is jealousy by two producers who failed in everything they initiated following employment by said showrunner (including two spectacular failures recently), including a very generous offer to take over said showrunner’s new show. Hence, the recruitment of internet stalkers (some of whom were given jobs or promises of jobs) to wage a long-running proxy war based on nothing at all but professional jealousy.
Yeah- that’s really what all the Chris Carter hate you see on the Internet is all about.
Absolutely agree. Only one of my favorite episodes, Post-Modern Prometheus, was written by Carter. All my other favorites were written by one the men you named.
Real X-Files fans know those three were the strongest writers on the show.
No, that comment is right on the money.
Harsh Realm and The Lone Gunmen tanked. Millennium never really caught on and the last four years of The X-Files were abysmal. The Fencewalker movie, a film so secretive and has been in post production forever and most likely won’t see the light of day except on dvd. I Want To Believe was a critical and box office failure. Chris Carter is not Hollywood golden boy anymore. He’s a one hit wonder and lost his magic on writing good scary stories.
HA! A one hit-wonder. Why so cynical? He created one of the most successful and beloved TV franchises of all time. I agree with the 1st commenter. Absurd. Everyone is an absolute authority, ready to declare something dead on arrival before we’ve even gotten any details about it! I didn’t care for Lone Gunmen, personally, but Harsh Realm and Millennium were both excellent television. I would bet on this new project to be a winner. He’s a brilliant mind and due for a win.
Lone Gunmen was only exec produced by Chris Carter, Vince Gilligan was the de facto showrunner and took its cancellation very badly. Harsh Realm was canceled by Doug Herzog, who hated The X-Files and wanted to make Action the flagship of his tenure at Fox. Everything that launched under him died ugly. Millennium’s ratings died when Morgan and Wong took it over and never recovered.
Man, I could NOT agree more… the guy that created it never understood it? I wish to punch you.
Anyone who attacks Carter and heaps praise on Morgan and Wong doesn’t understand “The X-Files” and I seriously doubt has watched any of Morgan and Wong’s work without Mr. Carter’s involvement. Don’t get me wrong; Morgan and Wong were very talented (as Carter says, “Beyond the Sea” is the best episode of Season 1; brilliant work), but they have a very simplistic — almost conservative and childish — approach to storytelling. They tend to try to sum up the meaning of life and the universe in their scripts; their work on “Millennium” Season 2 really showcases this because Carter was not involved in the story at all and hasn’t even watched all the episodes. When I was a teen, I loved “Millennium” Season 2, but, when the DVDs came out, I realized how original and impressive Season 1 was under Carter and how derivative, melodramatic, and simplistic Season 2 was under Morgan and Wong. Carter is a much more artful, naturalistic writer; he’s not trying to wrap everything up karmically. Were there bad scripts by him? He’d be the first to admit so — especially in Season 7. However, he also wrote the show’s best work: “Redux II” and “Talitha Cumi”. Quite importantly, his vision for his shows is far more political, imaginative, and ultimately impressive than the conspiratorial, simplistic dialogue Morgan and Wong wrote.
Morgan and Wong’s course for “Millennium” ruined what was a show that honestly humanized serial killers who often felt guilty for their actions and that created a protagonist that was wholly different and nearly as compelling as Mulder and Scully to explore very different themes. “Harsh Realm” was somewhat derivative of “The X-Files”, but “Millennium” was completely original and butchered by Morgan and Wong under Fox’s directives to make it more like “The X-Files”. The best episode of Season 2 was written by Carter-picked writer Michael Perry, who, to be fair, complements Wong’s brilliant editorial skills.
Morgan and Wong shockingly tried to violate Carter’s refusal to kill Frohike in “Musings of a Cigarette-Smoking Man” by trying to go around him and film and doctor footage to create that eventuality on film. Luckily, he had the footage stolen, if you believe their account. I loved the episode as a teen, but it’s quite embarrassing and showcases much of how Morgan and Wong approach things. CSM had to not simply be important but the murderer of JFK and MLK and a hack writer and so petty that he never let the Buffalo Bills win the Superbowl and determined world events with such perfect precision and all-encompassing power. Life isn’t like that and actor William B. Davis hated the script for valid reasons and didn’t feel they respected the work that had been done with his character since they had left the show in Season 2.
Moreover, Carter has such an ability to craft characters with such detail; it’s amazing how he even thought through Frank Black’s mannerisms (that he wouldn’t use his hands when he spoke) and what color and kinds of clothes he’d wear. This is in stark contrast to the self-absorbed tendency of Morgan and Wong to have their characters like all the kinds of things they like. And THEY’RE THE ONES WHO KEPT CASTING A TERRIBLE ACTING PORNSTAR in their work. (No offense to pornstars.) It was acceptable to have Ashlyn Gere in “3″, but her performance in the “Millennium” Season 2 episodes “Owls” and “Roosters” was so over the top and embarrassing! Even the Lara Means character was irritatingly melodramatic and overly expressive of her spiritual experiences — a little like Melissa Scully, whom they also wrote as a caricature.
Furthermore, Vince Gilligan’s incredible talents are observable in “Breaking Bad”, but Chris Carter or someone on board rewrote his first episode, I recall reading somewhere. Gilligan’s work declined just as much as everybody else’s as the series went on. I was shocked “Breaking Bad” was so good, after episodes like “X-Cops” and the over-the-top comedy of the Lone Gunmen episodes.
Many fans blame Carter for the mythology supposedly not making sense, but it made a lot more sense plot-wise than anything on “Lost” or any other show, and, more importantly, it made tremendous psychological and emotional sense in terms of what guided the Cigarette Smoking Man’s actions; it wasn’t spelled out, but his treatment of Fox Mulder from threat to the conspiracy to son when it seemed like he commiitted suicide to rejected son when Jeffrey showed up was incredibly impressive.
The show didn’t always succeed, and no show does all the time. Carter never had any vacation time in the first 8 years and wrote or rewrote 20 of 24 episodes in Season 3 — arguably the series’ best. He also carried on the show’s quality in Season 4 as he pulled off an amazing first season of “Millennium”, which Fox forced him to dumb down in later seasons; not until “Battlestar Galactica” have I seen a first season as beautifully written as “Millennium” Season 1.
The film “Fight the Future” was a mistake because it couldn’t continue the strong mythology elements of Krychek, Skinner, and the Syndicate with the same level of complexity and consequently satisfying drama that the series could to appeal to new viewers at the cinema. Then, Season 6 and 7 were major declines in the writing of the show, despite respectable attempts to reinvent things; actually, except for the amazing “Sein Und Zeit” and “Closure” and a few other decent episodes, Season 7 is pretty much unforgivable. Season 8, however, had some solid, scary stand alones and very good mythology episodes, making it quite a bit better than Season 6 and 7, in some ways.
Lastly, what made “The X-Files” so great were the beautifully written and acted secondary characters that elevated the drama in Seasons 2 through 5; Carter seemed to have forgotten his notion of not casting famous people that distract from the role in his mistaken use of Amanda Peet and Xzibit, who were only passable performers of lackluster roles. He needs to figure out how to make those secondary characters meaningful again they way they were in Season 3.
It remains to be seen if Mr. Carter can pull off the amazing magic of Seasons 2 through 5 of “The X-Files” or “MIllennium” Season 1, but I think he can!
Actually, Ashlyn Gere appeared in the Episode “Blood” not “3″.
’bout time.
BRING BACK THE LONE GUNMEN!
I’m actually watching a mini Millennium marathon on DVD as I read this. So stoked!!! I just hope it doesn’t get sold to NBC or CBS.
“There is now talk about a potential third X-Files movie.” Except that really there’s been “talk” about a potential third film since the second one was announced, so this is kind of a pointless “observation” in the article.
OK, anyone who has read various different scripts that Carter wrote before he got X-Files to pilot will clearly see that the tone of the show — humor, genre mixture, procedural aspects of the show, even parts of the supernatural — were all present in his unproduced feature canon.
It should be noted that the context under which X-Files percolated would not happen today. But that is neither her not there. He is a great architect of ideas. He gravitates to interesting characters and stories that are unconventional and equal parts dark and funny. Look at the books he has attached himself to. One is a science fiction procedural and the other is textbook about a man who could project his mind’s images onto polaroid film — yes now very dated but cool.
He is to be frank more interested in surfing and that is healthy.
X-Files bought him his creative freedom and a deal with MRC insures he has control of his vision and does not have to operate within the very challenging development machines of the current system.
Would NOT be shocked if this ended up on Facebook or Netflix when all is said and done.
Mark my words, so astute on ICM’s part to go the MRC route.
As a huge X-Files/Chris Carter fan, I enjoyed reading this. Thanks.
yes to x files 3! super soldiers! 2012…nano tech! aliens!
Anyone know what the concept is?
Forget xfiles 3, bring Gillian on for a season of Californication.
That won’t happen. Nerds minds would explode.
You’re so dumb, he has nothing to do with Californication decisions!
Awesome news! Been hoping for this announcement for nine years. Was afraid Carter was having too much fun living life to ever return to the demands of tv. Dude became a pilot, climbed mountains, learned to play piano & drums, even took a fellowship on theoretical physics.
Hi, Chris!
Since Robert Greenblatt helped develop the X Files at Fox, isn’t it possible that Chris Carter will pitch his show to NBC?
You obviously do not know vince gilligan, who most certainly does not feel that way about Carter.
Morgan and Wong knew The X-Files better than Chris Carter? The two producers who have failed at every single project they initiated? The two producers who openly enlisted fans to fight a proxy online war against Carter, going so far as to give production jobs to fansite editors who published some of the most scurrilous libel I’ve ever seen against their former boss?
Vince Gilligan is a great talent but when he became co-showrunner with Frank Spotnitz in its last season the show limped to its lowest-ever ratings.
Chris Carter changed the face of TV and the look of genre TV forever and a lot of people still burn with jealously about it. If the last X Files movie underperformed it’s because he refused to pander to an audience addicted to Michael Bay aesthetics.
The last movie failed because it was dull and boring. The plot of the movie was horrible, the pace was slow and slower, and the monster’s in the movie was a two headed dog and a pedophile who bleeds out of his eyeballs. How this movie got a greenlight and released in theatres is mind-boggling.
Like I said, “If the last X Files movie underperformed it’s because he refused to pander to an audience addicted to Michael Bay aesthetics.”
There’s a difference between not pandering to an audience to be different and crappy filmmaking and I Want To Believe was crappy filmmaking at its finest. The movie could have benefited from a explosion or two, but all that will do is wake up the sleeping patrons who was unfortunate enough to pay and see this movie.
Neat. I’m excited to see this. He is a very creative guy.
WOW !! What great news. I was a huge fan of X-Files. The only DVD collection I have.
Theoretical physics! Oh man I love that sh**, along with Quantum Theory & Multiple Universe Theory.
Welcome back Chris Carter. I’ve missed you!
X-Files 3….. BRING IT ON!
Actually it failed because people wanted to see a show called The X-Files and NOT a Paranormal Law & Order.
The show failed because he pandered to the brainless romance fans who only care about one aspect of the show
I don’t understand. Where did Guest’s opinion at all state that he wanted to see an X-files movie with Michael Bay aesthetics? I’m looking for that point and I can’t find it. What I did gather from him/her however is that the movie sucked for a lot of reasons. Poor execution of a bad story. He could’ve done a lot better. I don’t recall disliking any episodes of any season as much as I did Believe. So disappointing.
Funny how “Morgan and Wrong” (above) wants to say–quote–Gilligan and Morgan and Wong “failed at every project they initiated” when they went on to create “Breaking Bad” and the “Final Destination” movie series (now on–what–it’s FIFTH sequel?)respectively.
Nikki says don’t get your facts wrong, so I guess YOU failed.
As for a new Carter series, we’ll see. It’s not the ’90s anymore, and even when his brand was hot, he couldn’t make any of his non-X-Files shows stick.
And a third “X-Files” movie? No thanks.
Err, I said Morgan and Wong failed at every project they “initiated.” They didn’t create FD, they were hired on to rewrite the first and the third and were not invited back for the others. I never said Gilligan did. Learn how to read. Though Breaking Bad is not exactly a ratings blockbuster, is it?
So I guess you failed. Like all of your little buddies.
MILLENNIUM was excellent; one of the best ever on TV. Lance Henriksen can do NO wrong. Great, great show.
Bring bcak the X FILES too … I think a third movie would have to be excellent … have to be!
Yes to X-Files 3 being a six-hour TV-miniseries for FX, the increasingly SF-oriented BBC America (not unimagineable given that GIllian Anderson now lives and does most of her screen work in Britain) or (shudder) SyFy. There’s too much interest in the characters for it to be a self-contained — and thus, not in the least character-urgent — Monster-of-the-Week story like X-Files 2. No matter how much I liked it.
It’s got to be mythology-driven and therefore complicted, hence the automatic need for it to be a miniseries rather than a theatrical movie. It’s got to address the Mayan Calendar situation — and thus, needs to be fast-tracked for a 2012 premiere on whatever cable channel such a miniseries would actually land on — and it should bring in later team members Doggett and Reyes, and Frank Black from Millennium.
PS: If they could resurrect The Lone Gunmen or come up with a credible reason for their deaths to have been faked all those years ago, then I’m sure they’d get bonus points.
Look, no one denies that Morgan & Wong wrote some of the great X-Files episodes, but they were incessantly bitter about being re-written by Chris, while the rest of us understood that it was part of the process. And name me one show creator who DOESN’T rewrite his/her staff’s scripts? If M&W are truly the brilliant minds responsible for the success of the X-Files as some of you know-it-all commenters seem to believe, how come in the subsequent 15+ years since they left XF they haven’t created their own genius, history making show? Riddle me that, haters?
Morgan and Wong were rewritten a grand total of twice, on two minor plot points. They weren’t allowed to kill Frohike because there was always talk about a spinoff and they weren’t allowed to have Scully sleep with a bad guy because their Mulder falls in love with crazy lady episode was roundly panned by fans and critics.
That’s it.
The real problem is that they have failed disastrously at everything that wasn’t a Ten Thirteen or related project. Final Destination was another writer’s Millennium pitch that was spun off into a movie franchise. Morgan was fired from Bionic Woman, and he and his brother’s Tower Prep series bombed as did X-Files ripoff The Event, which James Wong exec’d on.
No one who worked on The X-Files ever said that anyone but Carter was the guiding force behind its success, not even Morgan and Wong themselves. Vince Gilligan sure as hell wouldn’t.
Dear Little Shippers-
To be truly groundbreaking and innovative in this business where NCIS and CSI are king is truly difficult. Everyone, successful or not will tell you that bitter shipper. Wong, the brothers Morgan and Gilligan are innovators and creative thinkers. If you look back on the episodes they wrote, the proof is in the digital pudding.
How many franchises have you created? How many interesting and ground breaking, Emmy nominated episodes of television have you written? How many of their truly interesting scripts have you read? Oh…none? You mean you have only spent time writing mean things about the careers of interesting, creative people you know nothing about?
If Morgan and Wong had not made such a major contribution, I am sure they would not be spoken about at all. I hope they take your rude obsession as a compliment.
If they didn’t cultivate a small army of dorks back in the 90s to fight their battles for them online, then no one would talk about them at all. The only time anyone does is when a Chris Carter story brings the trolls out of the woodwork.
X-Files 2 grossed $68M worldwide on a $29M budget (actual) and then did solid biz as a rental. In other words, it made its money back. Outside of Final Destination which they didn’t create, all of M&W’s projects have been major money-losers.
The fact that Carter still generates so much passion (whether for OR against) after all this time indicates there is still wide interest in what he may come up with next. His work with The X-Files has at the very least earned enough benefit of the doubt from me that I’ll tune in to watch future completed works.
thank you could not write it better