Duchovny Keeps 'x-files' Badge
By Cynthia Littleton
Thursday, May 18 2000
Thursday, May 18 2000
Published on AllBusiness.com
After months of contentious negotiations, "The X-Files" star David Duchovny and Fox settled their legal dispute and inked a deal Wednesday that will bring Duchovny's Fox Mulder back to the "X-Files" lair for half of next season's 22 episodes.
Word of the agreement came barely 24 hours before Fox unveils its new fall schedule today in New York and one day after show creator Chris Carter confirmed that he would return as "X-Files" steward for an eighth season this fall (HR 5/17).
Both sides declined comment on details of the lawsuit settlement and contract renewal pact, citing confidentiality agreements. But sources close to the situation pegged the value of Duchovny's settlement deal and salary renegotiation at nearly $30 million.
In a statement, Duchovny said: "I am pleased we were able to come to an agreement that enables me to remain part of 'The X-Files.' Now that all the business issues have been settled, I'm looking forward to going back to work."
Duchovny filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against the studio in August, claiming he was shortchanged on his share of the syndication profits on the show because Fox sold the rerun rights to its sibling cable network FX rather than seeking competitive bids on the open market.
Duchovny's Mulder character is not expected to return to the series until the middle of next season -- sometime during the February sweep is a safe bet -- after being abducted in this season's final episode, set to air Sunday. Co-star Gillian Anderson is in for a new partner next season to assis in her search for Mulder.
Word of the agreement came barely 24 hours before Fox unveils its new fall schedule today in New York and one day after show creator Chris Carter confirmed that he would return as "X-Files" steward for an eighth season this fall (HR 5/17).
Both sides declined comment on details of the lawsuit settlement and contract renewal pact, citing confidentiality agreements. But sources close to the situation pegged the value of Duchovny's settlement deal and salary renegotiation at nearly $30 million.
In a statement, Duchovny said: "I am pleased we were able to come to an agreement that enables me to remain part of 'The X-Files.' Now that all the business issues have been settled, I'm looking forward to going back to work."
Duchovny filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against the studio in August, claiming he was shortchanged on his share of the syndication profits on the show because Fox sold the rerun rights to its sibling cable network FX rather than seeking competitive bids on the open market.
Duchovny's Mulder character is not expected to return to the series until the middle of next season -- sometime during the February sweep is a safe bet -- after being abducted in this season's final episode, set to air Sunday. Co-star Gillian Anderson is in for a new partner next season to assis in her search for Mulder.
