We Want to Believe

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BACK ON THE CASE? Duchovny and Anderson await word of a legal settlement that could put the X-Files in business again

Nothing about The X-Files is ever straightforward, but it seems quite possible that the long-awaited sequel to the X-Files movie could get back in production some time soon.

The story dates back to last June, five years after the Fox show went off the air and nine years since the release of the first X-Files movie, when series exec producer Frank Spotnitz told EW that most of the plot to a big-screen sequel had been ''worked out.'' Then, in September, David Duchovny reportedly confirmed that he, Gillian Anderson, and creator Chris Carter were all willing to do a second movie but that some legal issues — relating to Carter's lawsuit against 20th Century Fox over syndication profits — had to be resolved first.

Although Carter did not return calls for comment, according to a recent report, the legal dustup might soon be over. If true, Anderson's manager Connie Freiberg tells EW, ''there's no obstacles other than the delivery of a great script.'' We'll keep you posted as all this sorts out, but have faith that the truth (and a second movie) is out there.