Gillian Anderson quits film for 'X Files'

By Beth Hilton

Gillian Anderson has pulled out of a low-budget movie weeks before shooting started after discovering that it clashed with the new X Files film.

The actress has quit her starring role in Helen, a drama about a professor struggling with mental illness, reportedly throwing the future of the production into doubt.

Her spokesperson insisted that Anderson had been forced to make a difficult decision and wished the film's makers well.

Gillian, who recently starred in BBC One's Bleak House, played FBI agent Dana Scully in The X Files for nine years from 1993.

Despite previously claiming that she would not reprise the role, she told the Daily Express: "It was not something I longed for on a regular basis but as soon as we start talking about doing it again, I get very excited.

"A lot has happened in the past few years but we are excited by each other's company and I think it will be loads of fun."

David Duchovny Gets His Hands On 'X-Files' Sequel Script

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 21, 2007) — David Duchovny is back on TV in Showtime’s “Californication,” but it may not be long before he hits the big screen for another go-round of “The X-Files!”

David sat down with Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush, and he revealed that not only is there a script for the “X-Files” sequel - he’s actually read it!

“I have,” said David, when Billy asked if he’d read it. “But I’m sworn to secrecy legally, actually. If I were to tell you anything about it I would — I would be sued.”

Duchovny, who played the truth-seeking Agent Fox Mulder on the hit FOX series (and in the feature film), indicated last month during the Television Critics Association press tour that the long-delayed sequel may finally be coming to fruition — with co-star Gillian Anderson “on board” to reprise her role as skeptic-turned “believer,” Agent Dana Scully.

He added that “X-Files” creator Chris Carter and series executive producer Frank Spotnitz wrote the screenplay, which he had expected to see within the week.
Well, apparently he’s seen it — and while he legally can’t discuss the details...he wouldn’t want to anyway!

“We’re gonna try to keep it under wraps and try to keep it a surprise,” he told Billy. “You know, unfortunately, I think with so much media attention on show business, it’s hard to — it’s almost impossible to think of, like, a ‘Sixth Sense’ coming out now.”

Duchovny is of course referring to the surprise twist ending of M. Night Shyamalan’s 1999 film, which probably wouldn’t be able to stay a “surprise” in this world of online spoilers.
In an interview with Sci-Fi.com last year, Spotnitz revealed that the sequel’s story would not rely on the oft-confusing “alien conspiracy” plotlines that permeated the show’s nine seasons.

“One of the things that was exciting about doing it is to not make it a mythology story, and it’s like one of the stand-alone episodes,” he said, adding, “it’s a bit scary.”
And while it remains to be seen if Spotnitz’s description still applies, Duchovny is not about to spill the beans!

“I hope that we’re able to kind of keep this inside a bubble and surprise people,” were his last words on the matter.