Aug-07-2012
Frank Spotnitz (‘The X-Files’) interview
CultBox
William Martin
CultBox caught up with The X-Files writer Frank Spotnitz today to chat about his new spy drama series, Hunted.
From the makers of Spooks, the eight-part series begins on BBC One this autumn and stars Melissa George (Grey’s Anatomy) as a highly skilled operative for an elite private intelligence firm.
Best known for writing nearly 50 episodes of The X-Files, Spotnitz was also co-executive producer of Millennium and co-wrote both The X-Files movies.
Our full interview will go up next month, but in the meantime here’s what Frank had to say on the subject of The X-Files…
Were you disappointed that it’s not been possible to make a third X-Files film focusing on the 2012 alien invasion to be released this year?
“Yes, I’m hugely frustrated to be honest! The studio wanted the second movie to be more of a low-budget ‘story of the week’ and I’m proud of that film, but I think what we learnt is that that’s not what the audience wants. To the movie-going audience The X-Files means aliens.
“I think it’s one of the great franchises in television history and it hasn’t been given an ending. I think that’s shameful. I know there is a great movie story to be told with these characters that would bring an end to the saga and I think it’s wrong that they haven’t done that.
“They’re running out of time. I don’t think it’s too late, but it’s going to be pretty soon. I’ve been saying for four years now that they should end this story the way it deserves.”
Would a third movie be a final conclusion then?
“Yeah, I think it would end the story. The aliens were prophesised to be coming back in December 2012 and ideally this movie would have been made to be released by that date, but I’ve never stopped talking to [the show’s creator] Chris Carter and we have a way to do it still. I would still jump at the chance to do it!”
How long have you been living in the UK now?
“I’ve been here two years and I’ve consumed as much British drama as I could! There’s so much that it’s almost embarrassing how much good stuff you guys do here. I loved The Shadow Line, Any Human Heart, so many other shows… I feel very proud to be associated in any way with the BBC.”
Are you fan of any British cult TV shows like Doctor Who, Being Human, Misfits, etc.?
“I love all of those; my children love Doctor Who in particular.”
Would you like to write a Doctor Who episode at some point?
“I’m so intimidated by it because it has such a rich heritage. I would need to just lock myself in a room and watch 100 episodes to determine whether I could add anything to it, but I think it’s superb, yes!”
Tags: frank spotnitz, x-files, xf3