'The X-Files Return' Release Date, Extended Trailer Preview; Is An X-Files Cinematic Universe on the way?

Dec 29, 2015 05:35 PM EST

Anyone who can remember the nineties remembers the game-changing science fiction drama The X-Files.  The show began with modest success but developed a cult following as viewers followed the adventures of Scully and Mulder as they solved cases with a supernatural twist, as well as the show's huge emphasis on conspiracy within the government.  The show makes a return after 13 years with most of the original cast, and an extended preview tells what it is all about before the show has its official release date. 

The sneak peak that you can see after the article, and it comes off as a "making of" type special.  For many who watched the show for its 9 seasons will probably see it as a review of 200 episodes.  Returning cast is Mulder (David Duchovny), Scully (Gillian Anderson), Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi), The Smoking Man (William B. Davis).  The Smoking Man has apparently survived, even though it seemed like he had died on the show. 

Creator Chris Carter is back as writer and director of this limited series and talks about how the world has changed.  X-Files ended shortly after 9/11, and it will be interesting to see Scully and Mulder survive in a post 9/11 world.  Joel McHale plays Tad O'Malley, a conservative conspiracy theorist who has beliefs about what 9/11 is.  He is the one who helps to bring Scully and Mulder together, as it seems that they don't seem to be investigating the paranormal anymore. 

One of the things that was never really established on the show is whether or not Scully and Mulder ended up being involved romantically.  This was established in the second X-Files movie, but this is going to be explored on the six-episode story arc.  It looks like the two of them have spent a lot of time apart, and although their characters don't change, they have aged.  Not only that, but they also have a child. 

The show was famous for having a huge story that involved the government involved in some conspiracy to cover-up aliens, and it really established an entirely new genre of science fiction with this plotline.  The limited series is going to have a "mix of mythology-focused stories as well as standalone episodes" according to CNET

It looks like X-Files will start off with a bang with a crashed UFO that may or not be Roswell.  It involved actually building a practical effect of a UFO which included a lot of special effects. 

The six-episode miniseries will return on January 24 on Fox, following the NFC Championship Game.   It looks like is going to be a hit amongst fans and will probably find a whole new fanbase, so there could easily be more X-Files adventure depending on how the mini-series is received.  David Duchovny has stated that the mini-series has enough fodder for ten new series, and perhaps this is the plan to make a Cinematic Universe akin to Marvel or Star Wars.  Maybe that is the plan.