THE X-FILES Star Gillian Anderson Didn't Have Enough "Sex Appeal" For Studio Execs

THE X-FILES Star Gillian Anderson Didn't Have Enough "Sex Appeal" For Studio Execs

Despite her subsequent sex symbol status, Fox execs didn't feel that Gillian Anderson had enough "sex appeal" to play Dana Scully in The X-Files back in the '90s...

By MarkCassidy - Apr 03, 2024 03:04 PM EST
Filed Under: Sci-Fi
Source: Via SFF Gazette

Though it may seem hard to believe given the actress' sex symbol status, it seems execs at Fox weren't initially convinced that Gillian Anderson had the right amount of sex appeal to play Dana Scully in The X-Files back in the day.

While speaking to Inverse about the upcoming reboot, creator Chris Carter recalled pitching Anderson and eventual co-star David Duchovny (Fox Mulder) as his leads back in the early '90s, and the studio being adamant that they wanted "a bombshell like Pamela Anderson to play Scully."

“Where’s the sex appeal?” Carter remembers being asked. “Even though Gillian’s beautiful, she wasn’t their idea of sexy. First, because they didn’t understand what I was trying to do with the show. And she was an unknown, so that never helps.”

Of course, Anderson ultimately landed the role and the rest is history. Carter isn't actually involved with the reboot, but did have a "really nice conversation" with new showrunner Ryan Coogler (Black Panther) about what he has in store.

“It’s interesting, people say, ‘Aren’t you possessive of it?’ And I say, ‘No, I’m looking forward to seeing what somebody else does with it. I just asked him what his ideas were, and he told me, and I said, ‘Those sound like good ideas.’”

“No matter what, he’s got a hard job," Carter continued. "Casting is a hard job. Mounting it is a hard job. All the problems that I dealt with are going to be his problems.”

The X-Files originally aired on Fox from 1993-2001, before being revived at the network for two more seasons in 2016 and 2018. The show starred Duchovny and Anderson as FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, who found themselves investigating strange, unexplained and usually supernatural or extraterrestrial cases.

Details on the reboot are few and far between, but it's assumed that Coogler would develop (and possibly direct) the project under his five-year overall deal with Walt Disney Television, of with 20th Century TV is a part.

Is there a chance Mulder and Scully could return for the new show? Well, Anderson certainly sounded like she might be interested during an interview with NBC's Today. "Maybe I'll pop in for a little somethin'-somethin'," she teased.

Are you looking forward to more X-Files? Do you think the original cast should return in some capacity? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section down below.

"Two F.B.I. Agents, Fox Mulder the believer and Dana Scully the skeptic, investigate the strange and unexplained, while hidden forces work to impede their efforts."

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Forthas
Forthas - 4/3/2024, 3:52 PM
Why? Was she supposed to have sex on the show?
dracula
dracula - 4/3/2024, 3:55 PM
There is zero reason to reboot X Files

We’ve had Fringe and plenty of other X Files type shows

X files was original now its just 1 of many

Unless you have Mulder and Scully, there is no reason to use the name

Same goes for The Office reboot that is in the works, what was once original will now just blend into the crowd, so might as well do your own show
UniqNo
UniqNo - 4/3/2024, 4:13 PM
@dracula - Name recognition i guess to garuntee an audience and business. Less studios are wanting to risk original ideas.

I was never into it, but hopefully it's a continuation rather than a reboot.
RolandD
RolandD - 4/3/2024, 5:22 PM
@dracula - Of course the American show was kind of a reboot in and of itself since it was an American version of a British show.
philinterrupted
philinterrupted - 4/3/2024, 8:38 PM
@dracula - true, but I’m open to it if they’re able to capture the spirit of the original and tell an interesting story.

I mean, they won’t.

But I’m open to giving an episode a chance. They get one chance.
UniqNo
UniqNo - 4/3/2024, 3:55 PM
Ageing like fine wine!

Was never into X files though, but i find it odd how she's british all of a sudden. 🤣
Sabre81
Sabre81 - 4/3/2024, 4:06 PM
@UniqNo - PREACH!!!

You want to talk about Gillian Anderson's sex appeal??? Check her out playing Margaret Thatcher in 'The Crown'!! Her as The Iron Lady?!? Gave me a massive Iron Cock 🍆🍆🍆🍆🍆🍆🍆🍆
RolandD
RolandD - 4/3/2024, 6:01 PM
@Sabre81 - I have not seen it but the idea of the real Margaret Thatcher makes me more like 🥀.
Sabre81
Sabre81 - 4/3/2024, 6:49 PM
@RolandD - Real Maggie Thatcher?!? You should have seen her in Parliament, back in the day, slagging off so many Toff British entitled Schoolboys, who got on the Commons just because of their family heritage. Like a G6 hammer and made them beg like a BDSM Bitch and put them in their place!!!! She was the power...and grew a small boy's fantastical titillation...into a uncontrollable force of nature. Like a Moth to a Flame. WE ARE MT-4-EVA 😡
RolandD
RolandD - 4/3/2024, 6:59 PM
@Sabre81 - She’s all yours.
Sabre81
Sabre81 - 4/3/2024, 7:48 PM
@RolandD - Memory for me is the ultimate form of igniting the true erotic sensations of erotic chakra....lol ok, you know I'm just spouting nonsense. I just mock-liked the topic of the article saying the Gillian was actually adored in the UK for being sexy. She was. I posted even a clip from Simon Pegg ce;ebrating her, when he didn't even know her back then.



I was only making fun comments...not serious.
RolandD
RolandD - 4/3/2024, 8:18 PM
@Sabre81 - Whew! Thanks for clearing that up. I agree that Gillian Anderson is hot, but I was a little bit worried with your Margaret Thatcher obsession. I even looked at young pictures of her and just couldn’t see it. You had me going.😂
Sabre81
Sabre81 - 4/4/2024, 1:11 AM
@RolandD - Yeah...joking...hehehe...ever seen Meryl Streep portray her in the movie?? That's my Spank Bank right there!!! lol Actresses getting dolled up to look like No.10 Maggie's Den is clearly a fetish that I need to see a specialist about. Maybe we should just go back to comic book TV/Movies discussions and topics for now...and forever forget... before you report me to some register...or MI6. Please don't though 🙏


"Maggie 4 Eva!!!!!""
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 4/3/2024, 3:59 PM
I'm just GAGA about this woman.
marvel72
marvel72 - 4/3/2024, 4:02 PM
She was sexy just the way she was.
NateBest
NateBest - 4/3/2024, 5:04 PM
@marvel72 - Exactly!!! She was plenty sexy!
DrReedRichards
DrReedRichards - 4/3/2024, 8:02 PM
@NateBest -

Did you delete my top comment from the latest X-Men 97 article? I'd ask Josh since it's his article, but he has blocked me (for whatever reason).
NateBest
NateBest - 4/3/2024, 9:00 PM
@DrReedRichards - Contributors/writers can't delete comments. Only moderators or admin have the ability.

Contributors *do* have the ability to turn comments off completely for their posts, which you've probably noticed, but that's the extent of their moderation abilities.

I deleted the comment for being off topic and sidetracking the thread.
Sabre81
Sabre81 - 4/4/2024, 7:18 AM
@DrReedRichards - @NateBest


Was that the pic of former President Donald Trump that you @AmazingFilmPorg started a political rant about? I flagged it to Nate and have the balls to admit to it. Remember that Nate disabled the comments when Josh put up an article with a Twitter pic from She-Hulk concerning U.S. politics and the site turned very nasty. Not everyone here is American (even hilarious when accused of being one!!) so it just stirs up name calling and vitriol replies. Hey, that's a new word for you instead of 'contrarian' when someone disagrees with you.

I don't care about Trump...his politics, anything he does or anything he did bad for your country. That's on your own political and voting beliefs. I don't support or defend criminals here. Doesn't belong on this site.

Always like your contributions @DrReedRichards about comic book stuff as I learn a lot from posts you make, but please keep the U.S. politics out of it.

'Nuff Said
DrReedRichards
DrReedRichards - 4/4/2024, 7:22 AM
@Sabre81 -

I'm not American either, but with the current political climate being as inescapable as it is, comparisons between media characters and the real life figures that they satyize are necessary, now more than ever.

Mojo is as close to a Trump carricature as we could ask for, and I'm not about to apologize for drawing attention to their already established comparison as media-obsessed, attention-fed, power-hungry, monarch-wannabes.
AmazingFILMporg
AmazingFILMporg - 4/4/2024, 7:32 AM
@Sabre81 -


I ain't reading all that🤡
Sabre81
Sabre81 - 4/4/2024, 12:07 PM
@DrReedRichards - Yeah, I know, you're Greek. Makes it even more stupid that you would instantly subject U.S. politics on a thread here on CBM.com from the beginning. Why? Certainly have your views if someone brings them up, but you went right out of the gate knowing that there are Americans here that stirs up unnecessary controversy.


And Mojo = Trump? Lol Might as well say The Kardashians or any 'reality' stars.

Why not care about the pending war in Europe instead of posting pics of personal hatred on a failing comic book website? Nah, you wanted to project hatred instead.

I really do like your posts when they're about comic book characters (actually learnt a lot from them) or you're having a deep put down of another commenter (funny as you always win!) so please don't block me and just stay out of political commentary. Please.
Sabre81
Sabre81 - 4/4/2024, 12:14 PM
@AmazingFILMporg - Three small paragraphs?!? Ok, Didn't even require a response from you anyway. Just didn't want to talk about you behind your back unless letting you know. I'm not like that.

Keep clowning, shill.😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
DrReedRichards
DrReedRichards - 4/4/2024, 12:27 PM
@Sabre81 -

Like I said, I'm not going to apologize for a comparison that I felt was as established as it was necessary. We're experiencing an unprecedented schism in moral values, stemming from said politics, and I honestly feel that X-Men is the most fitting lore to have such a discussion.

I'm not blocking you, since I'm not blocking anyone here, but please refrain from flagging my comments in the future before first discussing your issues with me personally. It left me hanging and wondering, to say the least.
Sabre81
Sabre81 - 4/4/2024, 1:01 PM
@DrReedRichards - No one is asking you to apologise and yes the X-Men have always been a narrative to explore values and attitudes to outsiders of the social climates. Your username is probably the most fitting on here as you're, in my opinion, the smartest person on these comment sections. That is why I was baffled to see you instantly (first post) stir some shit up about U.S. politics when you know it would possibly turn the whole thread into a cesspool off-topic of mire and hatred. Your post basically was lighting a match to a fire as being the first one and very instigating to cause chaos.

True, I could have commented directly to you about your Trump post. Wouldn't have made a difference though. We both know that you wouldn't have deleted it if I did. This site is not a platform for grandstanding moral or political problems.

I'm sorry if this puts a wedge between us. I have always enjoyed your posts and we have replied back and forth with each other from time to time. Hopefully we can put this past us and just enjoy the community here about CBMs without hatred. That's what Charles Xavier would want...😀
DrReedRichards
DrReedRichards - 4/4/2024, 1:06 PM
@Sabre81 -

No hurt feelings. I genuinely appreciate the fact that you let me know it was you who flagged it, even it if it was after the fact. All I ask is that you refrain from flagging me next time, at least until we discuss this.

And you're right, I would have by no means deleted it, but at least I wouldn't be wondering why it was suddenly gone without a trace.
AmazingFILMporg
AmazingFILMporg - 4/4/2024, 1:18 PM
@Sabre81 -


Let me correct myself,


*I don't respect you enough to read all that💁




Disrespectfully🫡
Sabre81
Sabre81 - 4/4/2024, 1:49 PM
@AmazingFILMporg - Yet you replied out of respect. Cool story.
Sabre81
Sabre81 - 4/4/2024, 2:34 PM
@DrReedRichards - Yes. I'd like to put this behind us. We are civil men who enjoy discussion and debate. I do often reading a thread when you take down a dipshit lol


I'm taking a steroid based medication for Psoriasis since last Friday and they said my mood may waiver. Perhaps that's why I flagged. I'm not normally like that. When I saw your post questioning Nate, well, only a pussy wouldn't own up to why it was gone.

Hopefully speak to you in better times, good Sir.
DrReedRichards
DrReedRichards - 4/4/2024, 2:35 PM
@Sabre81 -

Get well soon, mate. Take as much time off this place as you need.
Sabre81
Sabre81 - 4/4/2024, 2:50 PM
@DrReedRichards - Thank you.
dracula
dracula - 4/3/2024, 4:18 PM
Man those revival seasons sucked
Fogs
Fogs - 4/3/2024, 4:24 PM
@dracula - I didn't hate the 10th.
dracula
dracula - 4/3/2024, 4:38 PM
@Fogs - they lost me when they did the aliens revealed to the world thing then backtrack in the next season first episode

Then isnt it revealed that outside of the rowell crash, its all been the government (so what about the aliens in the first film)
SuperCat
SuperCat - 4/3/2024, 4:20 PM
User Comment Image
Feralwookiee
Feralwookiee - 4/3/2024, 7:00 PM
@SuperCat - User Comment Image
Fogs
Fogs - 4/3/2024, 4:23 PM
My teen years crush right there. I loved X-Files.
Kurban
Kurban - 4/3/2024, 4:28 PM
That’s hilarious. She’s a goddamn sex symbol lol
Sabre81
Sabre81 - 4/3/2024, 4:44 PM
FHM Sexiest Woman of the year 1996...according to Simon Pegg:-

dagenspear
dagenspear - 4/3/2024, 4:46 PM
Some people may not see the subtlety of it.
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