Posted in: Fox, TV | Tagged: fox, The X-Files
The X-Files remains an iconic work of sci-fi & horror television, but it could have been drastically different, according to a former writer.
Article Summary
The X-Files was almost solely focused on aliens before its premise expanded to include the paranormal
Writer Jim Wong revealed early writers questioned keeping every episode about aliens in initial discussions
The third episode, “Squeeze,” marked a turning point that opened the series to broader horror and sci-fi themes
Diverse storytelling beyond aliens helped The X-Files become a legendary sci-fi and horror TV franchise
There’s no question that when it comes to iconic sci-fi and horror TV shows, The X-Files ranks up there with the best of the best. The show helped define FOX as a powerhouse network in the 90’s, made Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) household names, and most likely influenced an entire generation of film and TV writers in the process, combining long-form storytelling with mysteries and monster-of-the-week episodes. But according to one of the former writers of the show, the premise could have been drastically different and could have possibly hindered it from becoming the legendary series it’s known to be.
Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny in “The X-Files”. Image courtesy of Fox
The X-Files Could Have Been Drastically Different: Former Writer
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, writer Jim Wong (Final Destination, The One) revealed that the show’s original premise was to focus on aliens alone, and that the show would be geared more toward the investigation and exploration of aliens on Earth than any of the more prominent horror or branching sci-fi themes it became known for. According to Wong, “I remember being in the room with Howard [Gordon] and Alex [Gansa], and we were like, ‘Does everything have to do with aliens?’ At first, Chris [Carter, creator] said yes, but then he changed his mind. […] [Episode 3] ‘Squeeze,’ the first monster-of-the-week episode, gave us permission to do anything paranormal.”
It’s an interesting exercise in thinking what could (or might not) have been, as the show definitely still had a focus on aliens over the years. But when you think about how much material the show had inside the “files” that had absolutely nothing to do with abductions or alien life, and you start thinking of how many episodic gems there are out there in the entire pantheon of the franchise, it does make you wonder if an alien-specific show would have survived past the first season.
Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!
Stay up-to-date and support the site by following Bleeding Cool on Google News today!