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‘The X-Files’ director’s cut honors 3 beloved stars with touching ‘In Memoriam’ tribute

‘The X-Files: I Want to Believe’ featured just one name when released in 2008; now it honors three more luminaries

The director's cut of 'The X-Files: I Want to Believe' includes several changes that have got the fans' heads spinning. But there was one change that definitely led to sadness instead of intrigue. The director's cut also changed the 'In Memoriam' section of the original cut, first released in 2008. The 2008 version only honored Randy Stone, who served as the casting director on 'The X-Files' pilot that kickstarted the whole phenomenon, according to TV Insider. His other credits include 'Millennium,' 'Gimme a Break!,' and 'Cheers.' The acclaimed casting director breathed his last on February 12, 2007, due to heart failure.  

In the 'In Memoriam' section of 'The X-Files: I Want to Believe – Vrach Frankenshteyn,' the casting director has been joined by Mark Snow, John S. Bartley, and Nicki Aycox. Mark Snow is the genius behind the Fox series' theme, which became the anthem of 'X-philes' worldwide. It was no surprise that the man with such a massive contribution to the show's success was honored in the new version. Throughout his career, he received 15 Emmy nominations, six of which were for 'The X-Files,' according to Variety. The maestro's credits also include 'Hart to Hart,' 'T.J. Hooker,' 'Smallville,' 'The Ghost Whisperer,' and 'Blue Bloods.' He died at 78 due to myelodysplastic syndrome. 

John S. Bartley served as the director of photography in the first three seasons of 'The X-Files' that aired on Fox. He returned to the role in two episodes of Season 4 as part of the second unit and the stand-alone film titled 'The X-Files: I Want to Believe.' He was also honored with an Emmy for his work in the Season 3 episode titled 'Grotesque.' Bartley was a key part of creating the dark, moody, and haunting atmosphere that made the show stand apart in the initial years. He also contributed to projects like 'Walker: Independence,' 'The Good Doctor,' and 'Bates Motel.' He sadly breathed his last on August 17, 2025.

Nicki Aycox played Cheryl in 'The X-Files: I Want to Believe.' For those unaware, Cheryl was one of the victims who had been abducted in the movie. Chris Carter, who directed the movie, talked about the character in an interview with TV Insider. "There's more in that laboratory where the young woman is trapped in the box. By the way, if you noticed in our In Memoriam, she is actually gone. Nicki Aycox has died since then. A wonderful young actress who was subjected to not only that box, but ice water. And we put her through the mill, and she was a trooper from the get-go," he shared. The actress also had a guest stint in the Fox series' Season 7 episode titled 'Rush.' Aycox died on November 16, 2022, at the age of 47. At the time of her death, she was battling leukemia, as per her social media post. The director's cut of 'The X-Files: I Want to Believe' is currently streaming on Hulu and Disney+.