David Duchovny hopes for third X-Files movie in 2012

IN AUGUST, X-Files star Gillian Anderson said she would be happy to reprise her role as agent Dana Scully in a third X-Files movie and suggested that it was already in the early stages of development

The good news today is that co-star David Duchovny - currently playing sex-obsessed novelist Hank Moody in the TV series Californication - has confirmed he is also willing to return as Fox Mulder.

There have so far been two feature film spin-offs from the hit TV series: Fight the Future in 1998 and last year's I Want to Believe.

Earlier speculation said that the next movie would focus on the 2012 alien invasion revealed in the final episode of the TV series, where Mulder and Scully learned the event was foretold in the Mayan calendar.

Duchovny had last year expressed a hope for further films and he has now told The Daily Beast: "As far as the X-Files movie I'd like to do next, if we get a chance to do it, it would be a return to the heart and soul of the mythology, which is the alien-oriented conspiracy.

"I think it's natural for The X-Files to have another movie in 2012, so we'll see if we get to do it."

He defended last year's poorly-received I Want to Believe, saying: "I was happy with it... I have nothing but respect for [X-Files creator] Chris Carter and the writing staff."

The 49-year-old added: "A show or movie with the staying power of The X-Files happens so rarely, it's a once-in-a-lifetime event for an actor, and a certain residue accrues to a person when they are involved in something like that.

"There was a prejudice within the Hollywood community where they didn't know I could do anything else. I understand the residue and I don't resent it, but certainly I am happy to have created another character (Hank Moody) that's so different, in a different genre, and I would love to keep doing that."