David Duchovny, Chris Carter ('X-Files')

It may have been ten years since the last X-Files feature and five since the TV series ended, but that hasn't quelled the devoted fanbase's thirst for more Mulder and Scully. New movie The X-Files: I Want To Believe shies away from conspiracy theories and little green men, instead devoting itself to the relationship between everyone's favourite FBI agents and the power of faith. We caught up with David Duchovny and creator Chris Carter to discuss the film.

David, was a return to the X-Files franchise something you always wanted?
David Duchovny: "For me it was. Out the door, at the end of the eighth year I said to Chris, 'We're dead, we're all just burnt. I'm gone, I don't know how much longer you guys can keep this up.' I wanted to do it because I love the show and I love the character and I did enjoy the people, ultimately, even though we had plenty of problems while we were doing it because we were all insane. I said to Chris, 'Keep on it, it'll work, we can all do it again.' I never doubted that it would come off even though it was a little harder to co-ordinate than I imagined."

Chris, what can we expect from this movie?
Chris Carter: "It's a story of redemption. A story of religious faith, faith in science, faith in your friend and partner and soulmate. There are lots of layers and levels that this movie works on that makes it different than a normal summer movie."

Why did it take so long to get it made?
Chris: "It was really a matter of business. Fox came to us a year after the series was off the air and said if you want to do another movie we're ready. We came up with an idea and pitched it to them and they agreed it was a good idea, then that came to a screeching halt when my agents came to an impasse with Fox over my TV contract. When that was over, Fox phoned and said 'now or never'. The writers' strike was looming and they said you won't have it in theatres for a couple more years if you don't go now. That 'now or never' was a call to arms for us, so we picked up our pens and began to write."

David, are you concerned about the film's box office performance in the US?
David: "I'd prefer if it was a huge hit, but there are mitigating circumstances. We happened to open on the worst day in the history of cinema - the second week of Batman. The only thing worse would be to open with Batman and nobody would've done that. We're competing for the same audience with what they're saying will be the highest grossing film of all time. What saves us is that we only cost $29 million to make. We're a small movie masquerading as a blockbuster."

Was it important to move the Mulder and Scully relationship forward?
David: "It was nice to be able to play the relationship a bit differently. I was thankful it wasn't a movie about us getting together. I don't think anybody wants to see the romantic comedy of Mulder and Scully. I like that it's like, 'bang', they're together, now deal with that. I think it's a bold choice to make. It's not trying to do the show again, it's trying to evolve it in a way that's interesting to those who are making it and hopefully those who watch it."

What did you make of the George Bush gag using the Mark Snow theme?
David: "That was not in the script. I knew that it was supposed to be a funny moment. There was no call for its use, it was a later addition. Not my favourite moment. I'm not a fan of coming out of the movie to go for a laugh or a scare, but I acknowledge that it's a cool thing for the fans. Personally, I think it's a cheap laugh."

Chris, was there a point when you realised that The X-Files went beyond being a TV show and entered into pop culture?
Chris: "There was an article that appeared in The New Yorker during the first season of the show. I thought, 'smart people are paying attention.' I felt that at that point we had reached some level of recognition. As far as being a part of pop culture, I still don't trust that. I don't trust that anything lasts now. I feel like things are replaced very quickly now, things get lost easily. Only time will tell."

The X-Files: I Want To Believe is released in cinemas tomorrow.