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Here it is -- and unless the entire Internet has been faked out, it is the official poster for The X-Files 2.. I must admit, it is very sharp. Still, given that this is a stand-alone story, they probably should have done without the stars. People are going to look at it and automatically assume it is going to be about aliens. And it still could be -- it just won't be the mythology aliens.

If you're wondering where the title is, according to the PaleyFest panel (where the teaser trailer debuted) Fox and Chris Carter are still squabbling over it. "I know what I want it to be, but Fox has ideas of their own," Carter told the Paley crowd. "I know what it should be."

Thanks to xfilesnews.com for the poster news (and they also have a run down of the PaleyFest stuff). The X-Files 2 is due out in theaters on July 25.

Holy crap! xfilesnews.com has a video of the trailer for the long-awaited (at least by me) X-Files sequel; one that appears to differ from the teaser shown at WonderCon. The trailer was unveiled at the Paley Television Festival, and the video was filmed off the screen -- the footage seems to have been taken with a fairly decent camera, though, so I'm not sure it's technically a bootleg. The clip doesn't give away much about the plot, but the X-Files standards seem to be present and accounted for: Abducted girl? Check. Nefarious medical experiments? Check. Creepy snow-bound adventures? Check. Mulder-Scully smooch? Uh, probably not, as we reported here. But July still can't come soon enough.

I'm a huge, huge X-Files fan (my baby sister Dana may or may not be named after one of the main characters, and I may or may not have had something to do with that), so I've been geeking out ever since learning that this project was finally a go after years of development hell. No other show -- no, not even Lost -- has been able to convey as much wide-eyed, awestruck wonder at the unknown and supernatural. And no other show has given us archetypal characters as enduring as Mulder and Scully. You'll be hearing a lot from me about this movie in the months to come.

Please tell us what you think of the trailer and the film in the comments. I'm especially curious to hear people's feelings about the plot being a "stand-alone" story rather than part of the series' famous "mythology."

I shouldn't be surprised that X-Files fans are back to their old tricks again and scrutinizing every little detail they can get their hands on when it comes to the sequel. X-Files News is reporting that Mitch Pileggi, aka Walter Skinner, will be reviving his character for Untitled X Files Sequel. They really are going to have to come up with a title one of these days, by the way. According to the site, they are in possession of a schedule with Pileggi named in the worksheet for the day's shoot.

Pileggi starred on the TV series as Assistant Director Skinner, a former Marine and Vietnam vet. Skinner was the direct supervisor of the paranormally inclined FBI Agents, Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) and Fox Mulder (David Duchovny). The character started off with ambiguous allegiances, but as the story wore on, Skinner clearly became one of the good guys.

If you thought werewolves were scary, just you wait. According to Hollywood North Insider, the new X-Files movie, strangely called X-Files: Done One, will have Fox Mulder and Dana Scully heading up to northern Canada -- Newfoundland, to be exact. Their sources say that the extras for the film are being told that they are "Newfies," which is slang for people from Newfoundland, and that they need swimsuits for a scene being shot on a reservation in Mount Currie. Is this where werewolves come from? Considering the suit angle, I wonder -- are the beasties titillated by the appearance of an over-abundance of skin?

Meanwhile, X-FilesNews.com has another source that has provided possible set pictures and call sheets. While the 'Newfies' will be prancing around in bathing suits, this call sheet shows lots of snow, and what's going one with some of the players involved -- like Billy Connelly's Father Joe, as well as Amanda Peet, and Xzibit. So far, this is looking to be one strange film. Whether that strangeness will translate into a good return of the story and characters -- that remains to be seen.

Personally, I just keep thinking about video games. Xzibit makes me think of Def Jam: Fight for New York, which makes me imagine that game X-Files style. I can see it now: Cancer Man stubs smokes out in opponent's eyes, Xzibit trains you, since he's an old pro by now, and Scully just beats down on everyone. Ah, I wish.

I'll just come right out and say it: I think werewolves are dumb. They could be interesting, and I'm sure they once were, but for me they're typically a let down, whether they be the lame werewolves in Wes Craven's Cursed or the badly generated werewolf transformation in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban or even the blood-splattering werewolves of a well-written horror film like Dog Soldiers. Maybe it's because the first werewolves I was familiar with growing up were Michael Jackson in the "Thriller" video and Michael J. Fox in Teen Wolf, but whatever the reason, the fact remains that I don't think they're scary and I don't think they're cool.

So, you can imagine how disappointed I was to see JoBlo's new spy shots from the set of "X-Files: Done One" (aka X-Files 2), which feature what looks to be a werewolf mask. I guess there's a chance that thing in the photos could simply be a wolf -- not of the 'were' variety -- and that would be OK. But seeing as this is the paranormal world of X-Files, I'm betting on my first thought being correct.

For other fans of the show, these photos are probably pretty exciting. They're certainly a lot more interesting than that first pic we saw last month, and more intriguing than these simple photos and video of David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson from FlynetOnline or these more official shots from ComingSoon.net. Also, with all the secrecy surrounding the plot of the sequel, these photos allow us to speculate a great many things while we wait to hear about the actual plot synopsis. Perhaps one of those new cast members, say Xzibit or Billy Connolly or Amanda Peet turns into a werewolf. Wouldn't that be super neat? Yeah, well you already know I think it would be boring, but I'm trying to be excited for the rest of you.

He might have been born in the UK, but Callum Keith Rennie grew up in Alberta and has become that guy you see everywhere. It helps that in the 14 years of his career, he's been involved in 92 projects -- some of them being very brief guest stints, or recurring roles, starring roles, and major motion pictures. He's the "I know that guy!" actor who is just everywhere. Perhaps you remember him from eXistenZ, Memento, Falling Angels, or Blade Trinity. But if you're a big space geek, you definitely know him as the dastardly Leoben Conoy on Battlestar Gallactica. And if you have a thing for aliens on Earth, then you might remember him from a certain spooky show.

Variety reports that he has signed on to co-star with a certain David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson in the upcoming X-Files 2. Now, he's no stranger to the show -- he originally appeared as The Groundskeeper in the highest-rated episode of the first two seasons -- "Fresh Bones." But the thing is, he almost had himself a regular gig. He was first offered the role of Alex Krycek. He turned it down, and suggested Nicolas Lea take the job. So now he's "co-starring," but there's no word on who he'll be. Will he take the role he once refused? (In a ghostly form, again.) Something all-new perhaps?

Joining him on the co-starring roster is British actor Adam Godley, who has popped up in films like Love Actually, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and most recently in Elizabeth: The Golden Age as William Walsingham. Again, there's no word on who these actors will be, but hopefully we'll find out soon.

OK, so this might be nit-picking, but would it have killed someone to make sure that the first set photo released from X-Files 2 was a picture of Agents Mulder and Scully? ComingSoon.net has received the first image from the set and let's just say if you were never that into the show, then this picture is not going to do much for you. But if like me, you were more than a little obsessed with the original TV series that ran for almost ten years, then it's time to let your inner fan-boy run wild. This first photo was taken on location in Vancouver, shows stars David Duchovny and Amanda Peet on set, but other than that, there isn't really much to say. Although, it's nice to see trench coats are making a comeback again.

Starring Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as FBI agents Mulder and Scully, the story has been kept tightly under wraps, although there were some false alarms a little while back. It was only last week that casting had been finalized, so I guess that director/creator Chris Carter wasn't wasting any time and put Peet right to work. X-Files was possibly one of the most popular TV series of all time, but the first feature film back in 1998 never managed to spark a franchise. When news of the sequel became official, it wasn't that fans weren't happy to have everyone back; it's just that I think we all just wondered what took them so long. X-Files 2 is set for release on July 25th, 2008.

The Hollywood Reporter announced that Amanda Peet, Billy Connolly, and Xzibit have all joined the cast of X-Files 2. Details are pretty sketchy as to who Scottish comedian Connolly will play, but THR did confirm that Xzibit (the 'Pimper of Rides') and Peet would be playing fellow FBI agents alongside our friends Mulder and Scully (David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson). Peet has just signed to star in the drama, Real Men Cry with Mark Ruffalo, but it looks like X-Files might come first now that the production looks to be ready to go. Xzibit had also originally been signed to star in Oliver Stone's Pinkville, but when that film was stalled because of the writer's strike, I guess it freed up some time in the rapper/actor/TV host's schedule.

I'd be willing to guess that most fans of the show were pretty surprised when word of a sequel started making the rounds again. When official word finally hit, the fan in me was thrilled and a little curious as to how they were going to make a stand-alone story. Luckily, Chris Carter and series vet Frank Spotnitz wrote the screenplay. Filming is set to begin in Vancouver later this month, and the production is also currently casting in Canada. Although, there is still no confirmation on whether Lance Henriksen (Frank Black in Carter's other series; Millenium) will be making an appearance.

Just last week, Christopher brought us some script details that had been leaked. But, some of the details were later discounted by Carter, who said that he was using old character and plot to try and keep his casting process as secret as possible up until the last minute. I hope all the secrecy is worth it, because I can't see the addition of Xzibit and Billy Connolly as something worth this much security. X-Files 2 is set for release on July 25th, 2008.

It's been so long since I last saw an X-Files episode that I haven't the tiniest recollection of how the series ended. So, it isn't surprising that I'm a little confused about the plot of the upcoming X-Files movie sequel/series spin-off. The guys at Moviehole have the scoop on some heavily spoilerific details on at least the first half hour of the untitled XF2*. Apparently it involves more aliens, a "Frankenstein-type" doctor, body snatchers, missing persons and a hostage situation being investigated by some new FBI agents we've never met before, including one who might serve the bureau as the "new Mulder". There's also another main agent character that might be played by Lance Henriksen, despite the fact that the actor has previously been on the show as his Millennium character, Frank Black. According to Moviehole, there's no sign of Mulder and Scully in the first-act synopsis given to them by "a little green man," which would certainly be a problem were it to be true.

Imagine an X-Files movie without David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. Or, even one that didn't feature them prominently. Obviously, this is not the case with XF2; it's probable that they will indeed be re-introduced early on in the movie and will appear a lot throughout the first act in their own part of the grand scheme of the plot -- the synopsis shared with Moviehole is likely just the subplot that doesn't involve them, perhaps because it's being shot first and/or separately. Anyway, as always, the truth is out there, somewhere, and it's only a matter of time before we hear what the real deal is. Moviehole additionally reports that casting is currently happening in Canada, so hopefully we'll hear some news on that soon, as well. As we previously learned, the movie is supposed to begin shooting in December and is set to hit theaters next July.

*UPDATE: Apparently the plot/character details are incorrect and director Chris Carter is merely using old character descriptions in order to more-secretly cast for XF2. Thanks to all the commenters for pointing out the correction.

It's taken a bit of time for the trades to catch up to the long-awaited X-Files sequel, currently being referred to as X-Files 2, but now that they have a flurry of information has hit the net. Variety just announced that 20th Century Fox has set a release date of July 25th, 2008 (that's this summer people!!) for the first X-Files flick in ten years. Unfortunately, that's all we know right now, and a plot synopsis was not released, but they did offer up the following: "Studio is keeping the film's logline under wraps, but stressed the pic is a stand-alone story and supernatural thriller that takes the complicated relationship between Mulder and Scully in new directions."

Hmm, so they're taking their complicated relationship in new directions, huh? Perhaps the two will get married and have a child that turns out to be ... a Predalien?! Could it be? Maybe? As of right now, the only other films opening on that same weekend are the Will Ferell/John C. Reilly comedy Step Brothers, and yet another Ice Cube family flick. What's up with Cube and the family flicks, anyway? He was really doing well with the badass roles (although XXX: They Should've Stopped at Diesel didn't exactly live up to the hype it didn't receive); I wish he'd go back to kicking butt. Or, if not that, then give us another another another Friday. All that being said, X-Files 2 should do fairly well against its competition, but they'll need to WOW us a bit when it comes time for trailers. A stop at NY ComicCon this spring wouldn't hurt either.

Random Note: For some reason I kept writing X-Men, and not X-Files, but caught the mistake right before I pushed this sucker live. That would've been a funny one, huh? Oh, the comments ...

Well, here we go again; talk of another X-Files film seemed to be the movie gossip that refused to die this summer. But for the faithful, it's all finally coming together. Movieweb recently interviewed David Duchovny about the release of the DVD for The TV Set (Jake Kasdan) when the actor decided to drop a little bomb. Duchovny told Movieweb, "the script [for X-Files 2] is written and as far as I know we're all trying to shoot in December at some point." Sure, there had been some vague promises before, but this latest announcement is the first time anyone has heard of a start date for the production. News of the sequel began to heat up when Agent Scully herself, Gillian Anderson, had discussed the possibility on her personal web site back in May. The last time Duchovny had commented on the film was back in July, but he had remained relatively tight-lipped on many of the details involved.

Duchovny has just finished work on Vincent Perez's film, The Secret, and Gillian Anderson will soon begin shooting How To Lose Friends and Alienate People. After that, both stars will have two big empty spots in their schedules, just in time for December. Duchovny requested that fans try and contain themselves and, "keep it a secret and just give everybody a fresh experience of not knowing what the movie's about" -- staying true to form, there was not much he could add beyond confirming that yes, the script is complete and they are ready and willing to start production. Even though it is not exactly the most detailed information, when it comes to X-Files, I think most fans will take what they can get. Stay tuned for updates as they come our way.

Yes, X-Files 2 is still an outside possibility. It has been in the works for ages, complicated by everything from actors' schedules to legal battles over revenues. However, the primary three players -- creator Chris Carter and actors David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson -- have all expressed very real interest in returning to the franchise; and as long as you've got that, you've got good odds of the movie eventually coming together. At least you can hope, right?

Well you can now add director Rob Bowman to that list. Bowman directed the first X-Files flick, in addition to a number of episodes for the television show. Unfortunately, his record gets pretty spotty after that, having moved on to direct box office mediocrity in Reign of Fire and Elektra. Bowman just recently expressed his interest in a sequel, saying he'd love to do it, but "can't ask himself." He fully recognizes the franchise does not belong to him in any way, and he can only be brought back on board if the previous three are interested in his return. So what do you think, fans? If X-Files 2 does eventually happen, would you want it to be at the hands of Rob Bowman?