From H. Magnussen in Nebraska: As much as an avid "X-Files" fan that I am, I look forward to seeing you in other things. Is there a specific type of movie you would like to do in the future?
David Duchovny: "It's script by script. Ones that I like to see: Smart movies, funny movies, meaningful movies. Movies I'd be proud to be a part of."
From E. Ograbisz in New Hampshire: Has the success of "The Unnatural" sparked your interest in writing or directing more projects in the future?
Duchovny: "Yeah. I think it's fun to direct as long as I've written it. I can't imagine wanting to direct someone else's stuff. If I wrote, it's possible I'd write for myself. There's nothing more fulfilling for me than the fact that that little cassette exists with my show on it that I wrote and directed. There's a lot of unknowing involved and a lot of panic that you'll fail to bring it through. When you direct, the decisions you make on your toes are really fun. You prepare as much as you want and can, but you're still in uncharted territory making decisions."
From Wendy in Los Angeles: What is it about [director] Bonnie Hunt that attracted you to her in the film "Return to Me"? How did working with the ensemble in that movie differ from your other acting experiences?
Duchovny: "The nice thing about doing the movie with Bonnie is I knew she'd use the best spontaneous moments. Instead of this rigid 'X-Files' structure and style, Bonnie would yell off-camera. It's nice to have an actor-director who knows if you've heard the same line 30 times, even if you're the best actor, it can get stale. She really values spontaneity. The most enjoyable thing about doing the film? That aspect [of spontaneity]. Doing something different. Being in a different city. After playing a seen-it-all, know-it-all character for seven years, I liked playing someone who didn't have it all figured out. He's really surprised by the little things. That was enjoyable for me."
From Linda, who didn't reveal her whereabouts: You must have really enjoyed the opportunity to play an entirely different character from Mulder in your new movie, "Return to Me." After playing one character for so long, is it difficult getting into another character? Do you actively avoid mannerisms or other traits that people might associate with Mulder?
Duchovny: "It's so hard, you don't have time really to let go of the whole year [of 'The X-Files']. In this one, I had two weeks. You're just scared you're going to rely on the same things -- habits you've gotten into or things you routinely fall into working on this show. You can't change from show to show, movie to movie because it's your voice, your accent, your face. On the other hand, just because I don't want to seem like Mulder, I don't want to just do an accent or prosthetics unless it's called for. They're going to look for Mulder. You can't fight it."
From B. Ulrich in Ohio: What are your strengths and weaknesses as an actor?
Duchovny: "I'd like to lose some discipline. I could learn
that from [my wife] Téa. She's less disciplined than me.
That's something I could work on. Discipline is a great
thing and it has served me well in many areas, but I think
I could be less disciplined."
From Pat, who only left an e-mail address: Anyone who follows the television industry is aware that doing a series with one or two leads is grueling work.
Duchovny: "On 'The X-Files,' you do have to work very hard. Whatever movie you make, you won't have to work as hard as you do on 'X-Files.' One of the approaches I had on the movie ['Return to Me'] was: Maybe I won't know my lines so well. Maybe I won't prepare quite so much and just let it happen. I consciously did that."
From someone in Boston: Mulder and Scully have a difficult enough relationship to define on camera. How much truth is brought to the reputed complexity of your off-screen relationship with Gillian? The chemistry seems to be there, but rumors of discontentment plague you two. How much truth do these hold?
Duchovny: "I think [our relationship] is one of those ones that's so kind of longstanding and so many things are unspoken. It's almost familial in that way. I'm a firm believer that you recreate your family situations at work. She's a combination of a few people. I won't say who. But it's complicated."
From Linda: If you had your choice as to how "The X-Files" would end, and you knew these characters would never appear on screen again, how would you choose to end it?
Duchovny: "I don't have any image of how it should end. You don't end a TV series in a way because there'll be reruns."
From Maureen in Australia: What's it like being a first-time father?
Duchovny: "I think men want the result immediately [of falling in love with your child]. I think that's a typical male reaction. But now, at nine months, it seems like we've accepted each other more. She's becoming more interactive. I definitely feel a lot more comfortable. It took me a while to catch up [with Téa]. It took me a while to feel like I wasn't going to kill her [by handling her]."
From C. Tatum in Alabama: If you could have played a role in one of your favorite films, which one would it have been?
Duchovny: "I'd have liked to have done 'Boogie Nights' ... "
