Last March, Fox All Access claimed that discussions for a third X-Files film were indeed happening. While X-Philes everywhere wanted to believe, skepticism naturally took hold of some. Whether we believed FAA or not, fans were still looking for confirmation from X-Files creator Chris Carter or someone who would be in the know.

As it turns out, fans finally got an answer today at a charity event held by IBG Inc. (Inspire-Believe-Give) in Beverly Hills, CA where a Q&A session was held with X-Files actress Gillian Anderson and her former co-star David Duchovny, with Chris Carter arriving later to answer some questions as well. Hit the jump to check out what they had to say about The X-Files 3!

X-Files News had live coverage of the event as it unfolded. At one point, a script for The X-Files 3 was discussed between Duchovny and Anderson. Here’s what XFN reported:

David says he wants to keep doing X-Files until he’s in a wheelchair. Gillian asked David if XF3 script is being written. David says ask Chris Carter. His first answer was yes.

If I am interpreting this correctly, it seems that Duchovny was reaffirming at first that a script is being worked on or discussed as he had allegedly claimed in the past, but that the question should be asked again later upon Chris Carter’s arrival, which is exactly what happened:

Question: is there an XF3 movie in the works. Chris says it’s in discussion. Gillian asking what else we can do. Chris says it’s getting there about XF3. Chris is blown away that after 10 years 200 people are in this room. Chris says ‘Don’t Give Up’. A fan asks why Chris gave away William. William coming back in XF3 has been discussed. Chris says XF3 would be a mythology movie. He says December 21st 2012 sounds like a good release date.

This is absolutely great news for fans. The X-Files 3 is still being talked about and Carter is still pushing for it to get made. He is even discussing bringing back Scully’s miracle child, William, who would be approximately 10 or 11 years old when the third film takes place. He was a pretty big deal in the last couple of seasons, so to have some closure on his character as well as the mythology as a whole would be a great ending to the franchise.

A December 21, 2012 release date would be fitting from a storytelling viewpoint. Not only is it the date the ancient Mayan calender ends, but the day after is the date The X-Files TV series established as the beginning of alien colonization. However, this release date would be one week after the highly-anticipated The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is slated to hit theaters. When The X-Files: I Want to Believe hit theaters three years ago, it was one week after the arrival of the box office juggernaut known as The Dark Knight, which aided heavily in destroying anything coming out the weekend after. Whether you loved or hated the second X-Files film, it cannot be argued that releasing it one week after The Dark Knight was a good idea. Releasing XF3 only one week after The Hobbit would just repeat what happened before and kill any chances of the film making a decent amount of money in its opening weekend. I still hold by a September or October release date as being much more safe for the film.

But a release date has not been set, nor has the film been officially green-lit by 20th Century Fox. Nothing is set as of right now. But, given Carter’s most recent remarks on the subject, Fox Mulder might respond by saying, “Maybe there’s hope.”