The news that there could be a third X-Files movie in the works is sure to provoke mixed reactions even from the show's most ardent fans. Though it was widely agreed that the first movie (1998) was a successful tie-in to the long-running sci-fi series, the second The X-Files: I Want To Believe (2008) drew mixed critical reactions with many complaining that it was not as strong as the TV show.

Gillian Anderson David Duchovny
Gillian Anderson & David Duchovny Are Enthusiastic About Another Movie.

The nine season drama followed the activities of FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) who investigate the 'X-Files'; the unsolvable cases often involving supernatural or paranormal phenomena. As a result, the show had impressive scope and encompassed the horror, thriller, action and science fiction genres, as well as a little hint of romance between the two agents.

Though it was initially believed that the franchise had wrapped up with its 2008 movie, which took a disappointing $4 million on its opening day, Duchovny and Anderson are now hinting at a third cinema return of everybody's favourite paranormal investigators. Speaking at the Paley Center for Media in New York City to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the series' premiere on Saturday, the actors revealed that they were both on board to bring back The X-Files.

David Duchovny Gillian Anderson
Many Fans Were Disappointed By The Last Film.

Duchovny said that creator Chris Carter was on board so another movie in the near future looks like a possible prospect. "All the principals are on board," he said. "Gillian and I want to do it, so it's really up to 20th Century Fox at this point."

Whereas Anderson suggested that the 20th anniversary of the show's 1993 first episode might bring renewed fan interest in the franchise and be the incentivising push that the film production company need. "If it takes fan encouragement to get Fox interested in that, then I guess that's what it would be," said the 45-year-old actress, via the LA Times.

David Duchovny
David Duchovny Is Looking Forward To Going Alien Hunting Again.

The show amassed a sizeable shelf of accolades during its nine year run, including 16 Emmy Awards and 5 Golden Globe awards. Should 20th Century Fox 'OK' another movie, fans may want to see a return to the plot journeys and themes of the successful television show, rather than its standalone movies.

The show left off at I Want To Believe which showed the underlying sexual tension between the characters fulfilled as well as Mulder no longer working for the FBI. The plot was derided as conservative due to being based in the criminal deeds of humans rather than the aliens, ghosts or monsters seen throughout the rest of the series.

Gillian Anderson
Gillian Anderson Is Willing To Return As Dana Scully.

Sure, if a third movie is churned out we'll dash to see it but we want the scares and thrills of ectoplasm and autopsies this time rather than a few dodgy Russians hiding out in a barn and a bemused-looking Billy Connolly. The X-Files gave us some outrageously addictive, ahead of its time TV and, like the truth, the fans are still out there.