http://www.movieweb.com/news/63/26863.php
Do you spend the first 10 minutes of the film setting it up for them?

Chris Carter: We have that scrolling text (simulates star wars opening text)
about a universe far far away)X-Files creators and writers Chris Carter and
Frank Spotnitz sat down to talk, or more appropriately, vaguely drop hints about
the upcoming X-Files movie at this year's Wondercon during a small roundtable
behind-the-scenes, and MovieWeb was there to get the goods. Check out what they
had to say about aliens, Mulder, Scully, the infamous werewolf and much more...

So, how did you first come up with X-Files?

Frank Spotnitz: Oh gosh, I've told this story so many times. It was inspired by
so many different things, including Kolchak: The Night Stalker.

In a quick, pitch version of this movie, what's it about?

Frank Spotnitz: We're keeping it secret as everybody knows. It's like an X-mas
present, you want to tear the wrapping and get a peek but it's more fun to go
and be surprised.

Is it more stand alone or mythology based?

Chris Carter: It's stand alone.

Where do the characters find themselves? What state of mind are they in?

Chris Carter: That's actually a good question and that's actually part of the
movie. To tell you that would be a big part.

Frank Spotnitz: We can tell you it's true to where they are in their lives 6
years after the show ended. We pick up in the present day. We thought a lot
about that. Our hope was that the fans would feel rewarded because we're
honoring...we're true to the characters, what they've been through and where
they'd be with their lives. What's also exciting to us is, you don't need to
have seen The X-Files to understand or enjoy the movie. We're hoping it's an
experience to introduce new movie goers to The X-Files experience.

Why now?

Frank Spotnitz: They came to us in fall 2001 before the show ended. We came up
with the beginnings of the story in 2002. But there was a lawsuit that just sort
of stopped everything cold for years. I had given up hope, actually

Chris Carter: It wasn't really a lawsuit, actually. We had to file the suit to
preserve our rights to continue negotiating.

Frank Spotnitz: Once that got resolved things got going pretty quickly.

In the 1st film you guys had commentary on the Oklahoma City Bombing. Does this
touch on contemporary themes?

Chris Carter: Ya, it does touch on contemporary themes and some of the people
who keep up with the news will recognize them.

What are some of the broader themes of the film?

Chris Carter: There's a beef recall. (laughs)

Can you deny the werewolf costumes (used as bait to misdirect paparazzi
illegally snapping set photos)?

Chris Carter: As they always say, "Deny Everything."

Frank Spotnitz: It's actually been really entertaining to read all the stuff on
the internet cause there's so much misinformation, so much is not correct, which
works for us. We don't want people spoiling the movie. So for the fans who are
checking out these websites: don't trust or believe these things.

Chris Carter: Trust no one.

Frank Spotnitz: Trust no one. Wait for the movie.

What got you excited coming back to The X-Files in terms of creative juices?

Chris Carter: It was an opportunity, I felt there was always more of the story
to tell. I felt we ended the show at the right time, as far as the mood of the
country and where we ended up in season 9, that there were other stories to tell
with those characters. I think that was part of the inspiration, that there was
enthusiasm from David and Gillian and Frank, I wouldn't have done this without
my friends. I wouldn't just "do a movie." It had to be an experience where I was
enjoying myself.

What was it like going back to this world?

Chris Carter: It's weird. Because it's such a big part of your life and you take
it and you shelve it for 6 years...5 years for us. That's a big thing. I watched
very little of the show during those 5 years. I made it a point of getting away
from it for perspective. We were a hit show, it never really dawned on me, we
were always working so hard to keep it good. I knew people were watching, that
there were good ratings. But beyond that, there was a moment for me when we did
the first X-files movie, we went to The Mann's Chinese theater which seats a lot
of people. We sat on a little balcony looking over the audience and watched them
watching the movie. And to see a big audience react was really, really special.
I'm not sure which question I just answered...

Frank Spotnitz: This movie is true to the characters and what they've been
through. Though it doesn't deal with the alien conspiracy or any of that, I
think people are gonna feel we've honored everything.

Do you write together or trade drafts?

Chris Carter: We have a secret way to do it.

How do you react to being referenced in pop culture, getting name checked in the
"Bare Naked Ladies" song, stuff like that?

Chris Carter: Ya, of course, it's always amusing. It's interesting, cause Xhibit
is in the movie, and he had a song called "The year 2000" which had an X-files
lyric in it. So I knew about Xhibit long before he knew about me. And he's been
a tremendous addition to the ensemble, if you will. Those things are always
amusing.

How careful did you have to be to make sure this film was successful to people
who didn't see the show?

Chris Carter: My feeling is that there's an audience out there who didn't see
the show cause they were too young, their parents wouldn't let them watch it and
some of those people are now in college, so if they missed The X-Files this is
an opportunity to introduce them to it.

Do you spend the first 10 minutes of the film setting it up for them?

Chris Carter: We have that scrolling text (simulates star wars opening text)
about a universe far far away.

Frank Spotnitz: It is a movie and if you haven't seen the series before it
stands alone as a movie.

Will plot-lines be resolved from Fight the Future? Intergalactic civil war?

Chris Carter: Not in the strict sense, because this isn't an alien mythology or
conspiracy episode, er, story. I have to say that we tried to encompass
everything.

Any talk about making a sequel much more quickly?

Chris Carter: Hard to say, I've had literally 15 minutes of sleep in the past 24
hours.

How about crossovers or cameos, say characters from Millennium?

Chris Carter: That's a great idea. I can't comment on that.

What is it about Mulder and Scully that works?

Chris Carter: It's one of those things that almost can't be defined. My wife
thinks it's the way Mulder is protective of Scully. Even though they are at odds
in terms of perspectives and relative points of views, I feel that he loves her
and protects her.

You said we get to see Mulder and Scully in a whole new way, can you let us in
on any of that?

Frank Spotnitz: Mulder's a cross dresser (laughter).

Chris Carter: I'm not gonna tell you because you really don't want to know.

How do you feel about the catchphrase "the truth is out there" being picked up
by 9-11 truthers (who believe the government were behind the attacks)?

Chris Carter: Is it really? It's ironic.

You said one of your inspirations was Kolchak: The Night Stalker. Did you ever
want to do a definitive adaptation?

Chris Carter: Yes, but it could never be definitive because it was one of a
kind. It was a completely different approach.

Amanda Peet is a new character, can you say anything about that?

Chris Carter: Her name is...what's her name? She's getting some sort of weird
alien...what's the question again? (laughter). She's a person with some
authority and she comes into contact with Mulder and Scully. [NOTE: At an
earlier event, Chris Carter stated her name was FBI Agent Dakota Whitney]

Does she represent a challenge to them or their way of working?

Chris Carter: Maybe.

How about additional series characters like Robert Patrick, etc?

Chris Carter: We wish everyone could be in there, but they can't be.

Where are you in production?

Chris Carter: We're still filming.

How far into filming?

Chris Carter: Probably 2/3rds of the way.

Is Mark Snow still the composer?

Chris Carter: Yes, yes he is.

A lot of X-Files episodes were able to get goofy and self aware and comedic...

Chris Carter: I love the comedic episodes, I love them because they actually
tested the range of the concept. And it was so resilient, you could push it,
pull it, go any direction.

How about references to past episodes in the film?

Chris Carter: Yes.

Creatures we've met before in the film?

Chris Carter: You don't want to know.

No tape worm man?

Chris Carter: No, he's not gonna be in it.

How about the WonderCon trailer?

Chris Carter: That's new to us!

Frank Spotnitz: Some of that footage was just shot 4 or 5 days ago.

Chris Carter: So that's really exciting to see it molded together.

Suddenly, armed men in black suits entered the room and kidnapped Frank and
Chris (and/or the PR lady told everyone time was up).

So there it is. The movie might or might not be about aliens. It's true to the
TV show without relying on it, though it references it, yet can be totally
digestible to someone who's never seen an episode.

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