Twentieth Century has confirmed that the title for its second feature based on Chris Carter's cult TV show will be "The X-Files: I Want to Believe."
Film, opening July 25, reteams David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson in the roles of FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. Carter is directing from a script he co-wrote with Frank Spotnitz.
Much about the project has been hush-hush. Although Carter isn't disclosing the exact storyline, he did divulge in a media interview that the pic won't focus on the show's alien mythology but instead features a stand-alone story on the struggle between faith and science.
Slogan "I Want to Believe" was a permanent fixture of the series, appearing on a poster hanging in FBI agent Mulder's office.
"I Want to Believe" will open a decade after the first "X-Files" film was released. It grossed $189.2 million worldwide. SAG NEGOTIATIONS ENTER SECOND DAY
After two days of contract negotiations with the majors, the Screen Actors Guild is looking to put some pressure on the studios by signing interim deals with indie feature producers that would allow actors to continue working on select projects even if a strike occurs.
SAG's expected to announce at least one indie signer as early as today. But the majors are unlikely to react to SAG's manuever, as Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers member congloms have been steadfastly holding off on starting any projects until after a deal with the guild is clinched.
SAG's guaranteed completion contracts are available only to independent feature productions that have neither financing nor distribution deals with any AMPTP-repped company.
The signing of the "guaranteeed completion contracts" signals that SAG's not expecting a quick resolution to the talks. The negotiations began Tuesday at AMPTP headquarters in Encino and continued Wednesday with minimal public disclosure as to the substance of the bargaining.
SAG and the AMPTP plan to negotiate every day -- except for Sundays -- through April 26. The majors will then launch talks with rival actors union AFTRA on April 28.
Deadline approaching. Be a part of the fastest growing and most unique Film Festival in the world today:
TV star Jason Beghe has slammed the controversial Church of Scientology, branding his former religion "destructive" and "dangerous."
The actor, who has appeared in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Criminal Minds, began taking courses in Scientology in 1994, and even appeared in promotional footage for the religion in 2005. Beghe was considered a 'top Scientologist' or 'OT5', a rank similar to Tom Cruise and John Travolta's standing in the church, but has now released footage on video-sharing website YouTube.com denouncing the controversial faith.
According to FoxNews.com reporter Roger Friedman, the video is a three minute trailer for a forthcoming in-depth interview. In the footage, Beghe says, "Scientology is destructive and a rip-off. It's very, very dangerous for your spiritual, psychological, mental, emotional health and evolution.
I think it stunts your evolution. If Scientology is real, then something's f**ked up. It ain't (sic) deliverin' what it's promised. It sure has not." Beghe insists he has recorded the footage to help those who are influenced by the religion.
He adds, "I don't have an agenda. I'm just trying to help. I have the luxury of having gotten into Scientology and after having been in it, been out. And that's a perspective that people who are still in and not out do not have."
