Twenty years after Mulder, Scully, and Cigarette-Smoking Man entered the world, The X-Files mastermind Chris Carter remains a very busy man. During a recent conversation with Vulture to discuss the show’s anniversary — check back next week for our full Vulture Transcript — Carter surprised us with the news that he’s currently developing a series with AMC. This project is in addition to the long-gestating one-hour sci-fi drama The After, which Amazon Studios has reportedly snatched up. No stranger to divvying up his attention (remember, during the nine-season run of The X-Files, he also created Millennium, Harsh Realm, and The Lone Gunmen), Carter explained to Vulture that the idea was hatched after AMC approached him — twice — with a book and asked for his take on it. "It also owes to The X-Files and I’ve written a draft and I’m writing a second draft,” he said.
Source: Full Article @ vulture
Source: Full Article @ vulture
AMC getting into sci-fi would be very interesting as would Chris Carter being involved.
ReplyDeleteIt's really nice to see CC back on the scene this past year or so, what with the 20-year anniversary cons and his involvement with the season 10 comic. I have been frequently checking on his activities ever since The X-Files finished and up until recently have always been left disappointed (with the exception of 'I Want to Believe' he hasn't really done much - and some film about a fence too) so, it's great that he's back creating new shows and getting his face about again. Can't wait to find out more about this project.
ReplyDeleteI like AMC and am intrigued that they may be offering some science fiction in the future. I dislike that Chris Carter is the one behind it. The X-Files was great as a procedural, but as far as ongoing threads are concerned it never coalesced.
ReplyDeleteTrue, but at Fox they always had to balance the two types of episode. If they had been allowed to focus on just the mythology (and had 13-episode seasons), it would have been a totally different show. I'm looking forward to seeing how this pans out.
ReplyDeleteI think we should probably nip this 'comparing it to the x-files' thing in the bud now, before we even know anything about the show. Although the fact that AMC chose to approach him in particular - twice - suggests it might be something a bit X-Filey. fine by me, either way.
Those are fair points, we will have to wait and see if a comparison is fair.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, networks are notorious for messing with a shows intended direction. FOX especially in those days.
The X-Files was great because of its format, not hindered by it IMO and balanced mythology and standalone well, the main problem with me is the mythology wasn't particularly great, and I feel it's solely the writers fault they left so many threads unresolved. But if I made a list of my favorite episodes, there would be far more standalone episodes on it than mythology based episodes. Which is weird because I'm generally the opposite.
ReplyDeleteBut are we sure that it is in fact science fiction?
ReplyDeleteBecause the word isn't mentioned in the article.
I'm in the minority here but Chris Carter is a strike against a show for me. I loved the X-Files (one of my first TV obsessions) but it became apparent that he had no idea where the story was going much less what the 'truth" was. I would hesitate going into any serialized show under his lead given how much he disappointed me with how he handled The X-Files' mythology.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree and I am kind of shocked to find someone who believes as I do. Chris Carter would only be my choice in a show that did not have complex mythology. You just can't wing heavy mytharcs and hope they make sense in the end. You have to have some kind of end game in mind right from the start.
ReplyDeleteI also prefer the standalones but I think a large part of the mytharc issues fall with Chris Carter. As creator, he should have known what the "truth" was before asking us all to pursue it. As show runner, he should have communicated that end game to the writers.
ReplyDeleteI also loved the monster-of-the-week episodes, and most of my favourites are from that category, but it was the mythology that kept me making sure I tuned it (or taped it) every week. As for CC knowing what the truth was from the outset, I wouldnt be surprised if he intended to finish at Season 5 with the movie to top it off, but was kind of forced into dragging it out. I still think he had more of a clue where his show was heading than a certain Darlton Lindelcuse did :-/
ReplyDeleteI started watching X-Files a while ago. In season 3 now. I love the show right now but yeah, already starting to wonder where they're going with the central mythology alien arc.
ReplyDeleteI am still watching the The X-Files and from what I have seen, one of it's central themes and also what appealed the most to me about the show is the paranoia of the show. This idea that the government is hiding secrets and are willing to go to dangerous lengths keep it that way and the almost impossible journey to try and change that and reveal the truth. All of these ideas and themes are directly applicable to the idea that he says the show is about. So, I think if he is able to recapture that feel of intrigue and paranoia and mystery that was so perfectly captured in The X-Files, then it would be something really interesting to watch.
ReplyDeleteAs far as that goes, it will get worse instead of better. The standalones get even better though so it makes for a good trade off. I love the X-Files still and some of my favorite TV episodes come from it. However, there is a slight tint on its glow when I think back simply because the mythology feels completely scattered and unfinished when I view the series as a whole.
ReplyDeleteSounds like it could be interesting....
ReplyDelete