Chris Carter’s 2008 supernatural thriller The X-Files: I Want to Believe is finally receiving its intended director’s cut nearly two decades after its theatrical release, arriving August 14 on Disney+ and Hulu. According to Disney, the updated cut—titled The X-Files: I Want to Believe — Vrach Frankenshteyn—restores horror elements that were originally excised to secure a PG-13 rating.
The 2008 Sequel Restores Restored Horror Elements
Originally released six years after the conclusion of the main television series, the film was directed by Carter and co-written alongside Fran Spotnitz. David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, and Mitch Pileggi reprise their television roles as Fox Mulder, Dr. Dana Scully, and Walter Skinner, respectively. The plot follows Mulder and Scully pulled back from the shadows by the FBI when a federal agent vanishes. Their sole lead is a disgraced, defrocked priest claiming psychic visions of the crime. According to promotional loglines, the narrative functions as a contemporary take on Dr. Frankenstein, forcing the partners to navigate a chilling winter landscape and a dark human monstrosity. Carter’s cut leans directly into the darker horror beats trimmed from the original theatrical edit.
Ryan Coogler’s Reboot Pilot Status on Hulu
The premiere of the director’s cut coincides with active development on a separate franchise expansion. According to actor Himesh Patel in an interview with The Direct, production has officially wrapped on the pilot for a new The X-Files reboot series spearheaded by Oscar winner Ryan Coogler. Patel told The Direct that the cast and crew “just wrapped on the pilot,” though he noted the show has not yet received a formal series greenlight from Hulu. Coogler is writing and directing the pilot episode.
Cast and Premise of the Hulu Pilot
According to reporting from CBR, the pilot stars Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel as two highly decorated but vastly different FBI agents. The characters form an unlikely bond when assigned to a long-shuttered division devoted to unexplained phenomena cases. The supporting cast for the pilot features Amy Madigan, Steve Buscemi, Ben Foster, Devery Jacobs, Lochlyn Munro, Tantoo Cardinal, Joel D. Montgrand, and Sofia Grace Clifton. Original series leads David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson have expressed interest in potentially appearing in the new iteration, though nothing has been officially confirmed by Hulu.
Did you know? The X-Files originally ran for nine seasons on Fox from 1993 to 2002 before returning for revival seasons in 2016 and 2018. Fans can currently stream all 11 original seasons across platforms including Hulu and Disney+.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the director’s cut of The X-Files: I Want to Believe release?
According to Disney, The X-Files: I Want to Believe — Vrach Frankenshteyn premieres on August 14 on Disney+ and Hulu.
Has Hulu officially ordered Ryan Coogler’s reboot to series?
According to CBR, while the pilot has finished filming, Hulu has not yet given a formal greenlight or series order to the project.
Who stars in the upcoming reboot pilot?
The pilot stars Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel, alongside Amy Madigan, Steve Buscemi, Ben Foster, Devery Jacobs, Lochlyn Munro, Tantoo Cardinal, Joel D. Montgrand, and Sofia Grace Clifton.
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