Ryan Coogler's X-Files reboot just cast its two leads

It looks like the new version of The X-Files has found its stars to spearhead one of the hottest upcoming reboots in science fiction.

Fresh off his Oscar-winning box office hit Sinners, Ryan Coogler is about to take on his biggest challenge yet: a new version of The X-Files. Obviously, a sequel series to the iconic show that changed genre television forever carries a ton of pressure.

Now, per Deadline, the leads have been confirmed as Himesh Patel and Danielle Deadwyler. It should be noted that they are not playing new versions of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully (David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson) but new characters inhabiting the same world.

The show appears to follow the model of the classic series, as two highly decorated but vastly different FBI agents “form an unlikely bond when they are assigned to a long-shuttered division devoted to cases involving unexplained phenomena.”

Chris Carter, who created the original series, will executive produce with Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Zinzi Coogler, and showrunner Jennifer Yale. The project is expected to premiere on Hulu, given that 20th Century own the franchise rights.

Patel rose up in the beloved British soap opera EastEnders and earned an Emmy nomination for the HBO limited series Station Eleven. He’s also a favorite of director Christopher Nolan, appearing in Tenet and the upcoming The Odyssey. He's thus used to action and drama in equal parts.

Deadwyler was born in Atlanta and also co-starred in Station Eleven. She had her major breakout in the drama Till, which earned her SAG, BAFTA and Critics' Choice award nominations. She currently stars in the HBO comedy Rooster and is set to join the third season of Euphoria. That makes her good for the role of a tough agent challenged by the supernatural.

The series looks to be on the fast track as Hulu knows how busy Coogler’s schedule is, so they want this up fast to hook in fans.

Will the original X-Files star cameo in this new show?

When it debuted in 1993, The X-Files broke the mold for genre television, long-term mythology storytelling, and pure scares. The tale of FBI agents investigating aliens, monsters, and more became not just a cult success but a mainstream hit, spawning two big-screen movies and inspiring countless copycat shows.

A reboot seems risky, even though it sounds like it follows the original series. In fact, Gillian Anderson told Entertainment Weekly that she’s been in talks with Coogler about the reboot and is happy with his plans.

"We've had a few conversations. He's such a cool guy, and so talented. And the pilot script is really good. I would say, have an open mind and give it a chance, because it's gonna be f---ing cool. It really is." She emphasized that fans should “give it a break,” which is good advice.

Of course, this has fans wondering if it’s possible Anderson and Duchovny could cameo in the series as Scully and Mulder. It sounds like this will follow the 2018 reboot finale, with the new agents assigned to revive the X-Files division for a new generation. Having Mulder and Scully pop in as part of a case would be a great way to bring older fans on board with this new take.

We’ll have to wait a bit for this to come out, but with this level of talent involved, it looks like this new version of The X-Files is ready to make fans believe in the unknown once more!

The X-Files is streaming on Hulu.