One Of The 1990s' Best Sci-Fi Shows Just Got A Perfect Awards Cast Reunion & It Makes Me Nervous For Disney's Reboot

The awards season is always ripe for reunions with former cast members from major TV shows and movies, which happens to be the case for one of the 1990s’ most iconic sci-fi series at the 2025 SAG Awards. Even if they aren’t among the nominees that year, the 2024 and 2025 Netflix-streaming SAG Awards have hosted some all-star reunions for hit ‘90s and ‘00s titles via the presenters. Among last year’s biggest SAG Awards presenters reunions was for 2006’s The Devil Wears Prada with Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt, with this year bringing together beloved sci-fi show stars.

One of this year’s SAG Awards’ most celebrated presenter pairings was for The X-Files, which originally ran from 1993 to 2002. The sci-fi drama is among the 1990s’ top series, often finding its way onto lists of the best sci-fi shows of all time. Its enduring popularity led to a two-season revival in 2016 and 2018, which is reportedly being followed by an X-Files reboot from Disney. While any classic property being rebooted is bound to receive skepticism, seeing the original X-Files stars reunited at the 2025 SAG Awards is a reminder of a big challenge the upcoming show faces.

The X-Files' Gillian Anderson & David Duchovny Reunited At The 2025 SAG Awards

The Scully & Mulder Actors Presented The Outstanding Drama Series Ensemble Award

At the 2025 SAG Awards, Dana Scully and Fox Mulder actors Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny reunited to present the award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. The stars received a welcome round of applause and plenty of laughs as they presented the category, which ultimately went to the hit FX show Shogun. These two actors marked the most anticipated reunion at the 2025 SAG Awards, alongside other exciting reunions like New Girl's Zooey Deschanel and Max Greenfield and Forgetting Sarah Marshall's Kristen Bell and Jason Segel.

Disney's X-Files Reboot Has A Huge Challenge In Recreating Anderson & Duchovny's Chemistry

Anderson & Duchovny Set The Bar High With Scully & Mulder

In 2023, it was confirmed that Disney was working on an X-Files reboot with Black Panther’s Ryan Coogler at the helm. Since then, word about the reboot has slowed, but such a popular property isn’t apt to go overlooked for too long by the studio. When more news about the X-Files reboot arrives, the most exciting announcement will be the cast, with more clarification still needed on whether the show will be recasting Scully and Mulder or if it will be set in the same universe with a new pair of leads.

X-Files Shows/Movies	Years
The X-Files (original series)	1993–2002
The X-Files (film)	1998
The X-Files: I Want to Believe (film)	2008
The X-Files (revival series)	2016–2018
The X-Files (Disney reboot)	TBD

Regardless of whether The X-Files’ reboot recasts Scully and Mulder or focuses on two brand-new FBI Special Agents, one reality is clear: it’s going to be a tall order to meet the incredible chemistry of David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. Their chemistry was one of the most compelling aspects of the original X-Files show, and still ranks among the best TV pairings of the past few decades. Even when the X-Files’ 2008 movie was panned by critics, the film was praised for Duchovny and Anderson’s chemistry being just as fantastic as it was on the show.

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David Duchovny as Fox Mulder and Gillian Anderson as Dana Scully from The X Files

Disney's New X-Files Reboot Already Has A Mulder & Scully Return Problem

Disney’s reboot of The X-Files has officially been announced, and the subject of whether Mulder and Scully should return or not is a problematic one.

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Therefore, any new Scully or Mulder or equivalent replacement duo will already be at a tough disadvantage when being compared to Duchovny and Anderson. Their chemistry doesn’t just shine on the small screen for the original show or the film version, but also continues to excel 32 years after The X-Files’ premiere episode when they’re co-presenting a category at the 2025 SAG Awards. If any reboot is going to have a chance at living up to the original show, they’ll have to meet the difficult task of recapturing the Duchovny and Anderson effect.

Will Gillian Anderson & David Duchovny Return In Disney's X-Files Reboot?

Anderson & Duchovny Both Commented On The Reboot In 2024

x-files shot showing mulder (david duchovny) and scully (gillian anderson) sitting at mulder's desk with the 'i want to believe' poster in the background

In April 2024, Gillian Anderson discussed the X-Files reboot in development and addressed whether she’d be open to an appearance. Anderson noted her excitement for the reboot and praised Coogler being behind the new vision. Ultimately, Anderson didn’t give a definitive yes or no on whether she would appear, stating, “Maybe I’ll pop in for a little something, something.” On that note, she also didn’t mention whether that potential appearance would be as the iconic Dana Scully or a new character.

David Duchovny more recently commented on Disney’s X-Files reboot in June 2024, with a similarly vague response to Anderson. The original Mulder actor bluntly stated, "It just depends on Chris [Carter] or the other writers. I'm always like, 'Hey, let's see.'" While Duchovny did return for The X-Files’ 2016 revival, it seems his return in the upcoming reboot will be more dependent on the writers' vision. Still, after the 2025 SAG Awards, the desire to see Anderson and Duchovny back in that world together just got even greater.