“The X-Files: I Want to Believe,” opening Friday, is a sequel to the series' first feature, 1998's “The X-Files,” and comes six years after the TV show's finale.

Longtime “X-Files” fan and San Diego resident Ursula McDonald is excited to see something new from the franchise and to get reacquainted with agents Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson).

“When you have a series like that, that you were so involved with – it's like being anxious to meet old friends again,” said McDonald. “I'm really intrigued, because I know they wouldn't be doing it unless they had a really good idea.”

McDonald and her husband, Scott, also an “X-Files” fan, own every season of the show on DVD.

“(It) definitely aided the addiction,” she said. “Unless it was on DVD, I don't think I would have been able to watch the whole series and get intimately involved with it.”

DIYAH PERA Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) and a team of FBI agents uncover a secret buried in the snow in "The X-Files: I Want to Believe." The film's premise has been kept under tight wraps.

Although the new film's premise has been under tight wraps since shooting began last fall, “I Want to Believe” most likely will serve as a long singular episode of the show rather than a bridge in the series' complicated mythology.

Carslbad resident Richard Dowdy, a longtime friend of “X-Files” creator Chris Carter, remembers hearing about the film from Carter before it went into production.

“He was very guarded about it. I think it will be better because it doesn't engage itself with the mythology,” Dowdy said.

The film's official Web site describes “I Want to Believe” as a “stand-alone story.”

One ongoing story line that Dowdy believes will make the cut is the resolution of the romantic tension between Mulder and Scully that kept fans on their seats for so long.

MARK SELIGER When the "X-Files" TV series ended, agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully had a child together, but their relationship was left up in the air.

“I think this is going to be more of a romance and finally bring them together – everyone always wanted that,” Dowdy said.

When the series ended, Mulder and Scully had a child together, but the relationship was left up in the air.

“I'm a romantic, so knowing what's going on with Mulder and Scully and their relationship and their child is the No. 1 thing I want to see develop,” McDonald said.

Dowdy is excited for his friend Carter's feature film directorial debut with “I Want to Believe.”

“It will be an experience. He had time to do it and get the script right,” he said. “He's one of those who is just dedicated to the work.”

Even fans without such insider knowledge, like McDonald, are optimistic about “I Want to Believe” despite Mulder and Scully's long absence.

“I think,” she said, “that you never forget those characters.”

An outsider's view

In spite of the show's cult following during its late-'90s heyday, fans and industry insiders alike are wondering what kind of reception the return of “The X-Files” will receive.

“I think a majority of 'X-Files' fans are still concerned about the characters,” said Dean A. Kowalski, a professor at the University of Wisconsin and author of the book “The Philosophy of the X-Files.” “I think they are still excited and curious to find out what they have been doing these past six years and what is going to happen.”

Even without referencing the series' bigger mythology, Kowalski sees the potential for the film to still cover its familiar themes of belief and truth. “From the trailers that I've seen, it seems like what they are going to do is a 'monster-of-the-week episode.' It won't be a part of the mythology, however it seems they are also going to get to the very core of the show ... to this idea of belief and truth and when to believe and when not to believe.”

Kate Stanhope is a Union-Tribune intern.