showbiz

'X-Files' writer reveals the truth

Posted on Friday, Aug. 22, 2008
by John Powell - Cineplex Entertainment

X-files

The biggest draw of "The X-Files" franchise has never been the ghostly or ghastly creatures or the elaborate special effects; it has been the characters themselves. From the mysterious 'Deep Throat' and the nicotine spewing ‘Cancer Man’ to Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully themselves, the series and its intricate storylines have always been propelled by the psychology of the lead characters.

That fact was not lost on writer, executive producer and president of Chris Carter’s Ten Thirteen Productions, Frank Spotnitz, as he penned The X-Files: I Want to Believe, which opens this weekend.

“I think the success of the series begins with David (Duchovny) and Gillian (Anderson) and how amazing they are in their roles,” Spotnitz said. “I think that is why people connect with any story: it is the characters. They are the fundamental reason why the show continues to be interesting to people, beyond that, Chris (Carter) came up with a really brilliant world.”

It has been some time since fans last saw the perpetually somber Fox Mulder and the ceaselessly quizzical Dana Scully digging for clues. The two were living as fugitives after giving up their child for adoption at the conclusion of the television series. Six years have now passed since that time, so there is definitely some catching up to do.

“The passage of time changed our perspective on the characters and gave us a new appreciation for all they have gone through. There was a lot we wanted to deal with in terms of their personal beliefs. While Mulder’s sister and their child are not part of the plot necessarily, those things impact their thinking and when you see the movie you will understand what I am talking about,” Spotnitz hinted.

Abducted sisters? Adopted babies? Those who are not die hard X-Files fans have nothing to fear stated Spotnitz. Although I Want To Believe will reference series plot points like - baby William and the fate of Mulder’s sister - newbies will be able to keep pace with the happenings. Spotnitz has crafted a stand-alone mystery which spotlights Mulder and Scully’s relationship more than any X-Files plot has.

“We made this movie because of the hardcore fans and we hope they like it and feel rewarded for their patience but the film wouldn’t be a success if they were the only ones who saw it so we really tried to make it work for both audiences,” he said.

Filmed in British Columbia, I Want to Believe weaves together plot threads about stem cell research, a tortured psychic and a missing FBI agent into a tale where Mulder and Scully’s deeply held beliefs are put to the test.

While series creator Chris Carter has stated publicly that he would love to make a third X-Files film, the filmmakers went on the assumption that I Want To Believe was to be the final time Mulder and Scully would grace the screen.

“This could be the very last time we ever see Mulder and Scully so we set out not to make a tease for more movies but just to make a really good movie that we could be proud of and if it were the last time we see them, we wanted to leave Mulder and Scully in a place that we felt comfortable with,” said Spotnitz.

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