Here at the pizza crust strewn Slashfilm HQ, we’re having ourselves a game called, “X Files Subtitle or B-side By Journey?” It usually only lasts one round, but hey! You see, today the official title for July’s sequel was approved by 20th Century Fox. Series creator and director Chris Carter got the title he wanted. So, what is it?
The X Files: I Want to Believe
A friend of mine just said, “It sounds like a direct-to-DVD sequel for Angels In the Outfield.” Not sure what I think, but the title will do a swell job of making the film stand out in the marketplace. Worth a double take and gets the mind spinning. If you’re not familiar with the series, the subtitle is a recurring mantra of sorts for David Duchovny’s conflicted Agent Mulder. Here’s what Chris Carter told the AP…
“It’s a natural title,” Carter said in a telephone interview Tuesday during a break from editing the film. “It’s a story that involves the difficulties in mediating faith and science. `I Want to Believe.’ It really does suggest Mulder’s struggle with his faith.”
Discuss: What Do You Think of the new X Files title? Will it connect with non-fans?
April 16th, 2008 at 11:03 am
I think it fits perfectly, considering it was the slogan of the series. And so much time has passed that they are covering in the film, it just seems to carry over and be like Mulder’s ongoing search for the truth
April 16th, 2008 at 11:08 am
actually the slogan was “the truth is out there”. ” i want to believe” is what it says on mulder’s ufo poster in his office. which is still awesome. i love that poster.
April 16th, 2008 at 11:11 am
It’s a great title!
April 16th, 2008 at 11:20 am
@jank: Yep, you’re right. poster in the office.
Definitely a good choice. Something old fans can appreciate.
April 16th, 2008 at 11:24 am
I believe? It’s a title. Good not great.
April 16th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Personally I think it’s corny as hell. Whether it works with the themes and the story of the film - like Carter says is probably true, but as a title I’m afraid to say it’s just pure cheddar.
Why they couldn’t of gone for X-Files II or just something more firmer sounding (X-Files: The Truth etc). Either way, I thought this sequel has taken too long to get to the screens to be still wanted by the filmgoing public will be tested with a title like this.
April 16th, 2008 at 11:53 am
that is the worst title for this film.
makes it sound like it’s a fairy tale or some kind of kids film.
i cant believe ( no pun intended ) this is the best they can come up with.
no x-files “mythology” in the film either?
does’nt make me too excited to see this although i probably will.
April 16th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
it’s not corny huh?
Let’s also make:
Star Wars 7: May the Force Be With You
Die Hard 5: Yippie-ky-yah Motherfucker
I Am Legend 2: I Can Help You
Terminator 4: I’ll Be Back
Driving Miss Daisy 2: I’m Driving Miss Daisy Again
Cloverfield 2: More Terrible Things
Scream 4: What’s Your Favorite Scary Movie
Walking Tall 2: Walking Taller
Forrest Gump 2: I Love You Jenny More Than Bubba
Dirty Dancing 2: Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner
April 16th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
With the time that has passed since the last movie and since the show went off the air, they could have just went with “X-Files.” No corny subtitle needed.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
wtf
April 16th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
not the greatest, but its decent. it could have been a lot worse.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
X-Files: It was your moms favorite show.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
The X-Files: It doesn’t suck like BSG
April 16th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I think this is an awesome title for an X-Files movie…just not this one. I thought this movie was just going to be a “monster” movie that didn’t concern the overall mythology of the series. This movie title would have been perfect if (here’ hoping) they were to make another movie centered around the overall mythos of the show.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Great title. Consistent with themes of the show. As far as the mythology goes, it was really at a point by the end of the series to where it needed a restart. They restarted the mythology a few times during the show. Hopefully this is just another one.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
X-Files: I believe werewolves are aliens.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
@ jonny
Lol. Stop clogging up our comments with unfunny.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
All they need to do is cut it down to The X-Files: Believe or something like that and they’ll convey the same message.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
They’re pimping the film that will appeal to old fans and newbies alike, but this title is a poor choice to attract new fans.
I didn’t follow the show too closely, so I didn’t know the significance of the title until now. To my ears it has a decidedly skeptical ring to it (”Well, I’d sure like to believe, buuuuut…”), and I don’t need to be reminded that I’m already skeptical about the film for several reasons.
If they really wanted to appeal to a wider audience, they should have gone with someone less esoteric and with more conviction and oomf!
April 16th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
How about…
X-Files: It all started when they kidnapped my sister, so then I joined the FBI to track down bad guys, then I found out that the FBI was the bad guys “wtf!” and maybe they kidnapped my sister, you never know, but I’m pretty sure, at the very least, that there are aliens and that I am gay (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
April 16th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
If the title fits the movie, then the cheese goes away.
When I saw the trailers prior to viewing “There Will Be Blood”, I always
thought the theatrical one sheet of Daniel Day - Lewis was bad and didn’t
fit the trailers.
I saw the movie and I had a different opinion. The film is a character study, it was perfect.
This could happen to “I Want To Believe”
Its corny now, but we’ll see later.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
@ Hunter.
I have started a face book group called I hate Hunter Stephenson. All are welcome to join!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=25283608656
April 16th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
x-files: requiem.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
X-FILES : i want to believe they will change this title before it’s released otherwise it may be a reflection on the quality of the film.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
I don’t care if its x-files: shit sandwich…I’m there opening night.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
this is a title that can actually grow on me. kinda like “no country for old men” did. they both make sense in context to the films. UNLIKE “quantum of solace” which doesn’t even make sense as a sentence. one cool sounding word that hardly anyone understands + another cool sounding word that hardly anyone understands = a big WTF. yeah did you guys forget about that spectacular movie title? guarantee you’re all going to still see it regardless.
April 16th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
@ jonny
Wow, you’re collecting Hunter hate/love Facebook pages like so many Pogs. I guess the old saying, “No man is an island” doesn’t apply here…:P
April 16th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
I have a feeling that the title was inspired by the thought that it would fit really well as a tag line on merchandise.
Regardless of anything, it’s the X-Files. I’m there.
April 16th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
I second “X-Files: Believe”
Though honestly I don’t have a problem w/ this. I loved the series, and really enjoyed Fight the Future.
April 16th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
X-Files: I Want To Believe, that its going to be a great movie
April 16th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
CAN’T WAIT TO SEE IT!!!
(IN THE DISCOUNT BIN AT WALLMART FOR $5.00)
may the FORCE be with you!!!
April 16th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
walmart…
April 16th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
NEW TRAILERS
X FILES : I WANT TO BELIEVE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emkQETpv2KU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jccRASufxQ
April 17th, 2008 at 12:35 am
Why not just > Mulder and Scully. People dont even have to think its an x-files movie but the fans recognize the names anyway.
I thought it was going to be X Files: Werewolves..oops.
April 17th, 2008 at 8:55 am
I like the title. “I Want To Believe” was one of the staples of the show. The other was “The Truth is Out There.” The film could have been titled either one and I’d be fine with it. It’s cheesy, but it’s also “true” to the show. The show has always been about the “truth!” Okay, I know that’s a bit of a stretch, but fans of the show should like this title.
Come on, Star Wars fans have warmed up to “Attack of the Clones.” Surely X-Files fans can warm up to a title that’s essentially been a part of the TV series from the beginning.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:55 am
I don’t like it one bit. It’s clunky sounding, like a cheap paperback.
April 27th, 2008 at 12:47 am
It’s perfect. New fans or old, If you people (haters) don’t like it you clearly don’t care about the integrity of the series. Pffft!
May 6th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Awful selection for a title, i was very exited with this movie, but now i think its a bad sign of the quality of the film.