I want to believe, too!

The title for the second installment in the X-Files film franchise has been released: I Want to Believe. Further details show that the film will not be about alien encounters but rather a "stand-alone, earth-bound story".

I can appreciate this approach, but at the same time, something just seems missing without Mulder and Scully trying to battle aliens. This was really the crux of the show, and the first film dealt with that story angle beautifully (and was smart enough to let the TV series reach its own natural conclusion five seasons later). With the show's dark yet slightly hopeful finale, the next logical step would be for Mulder and Scully to continue as the outlaws they've become, searching for ways to stop the upcoming invasion of earth. Because with the Syndicate destroyed and Cancer Man turned into charcoal, all earthly ambassadors who even know about the invasion have been wiped from the scene, so Mulder and Scully are truly humanity's last hope.

This strikes me as the perfect groundwork for an X-Files sequel, and I find myself wondering why Chris Carter isn't pursuing this path.

Though upon reflection, I have to wonder if a third film is planned, one that does explore Mulder and Scully trying to prevent the invasion. If so, the perfect release date would be December 22, 2012.