DOCTOR WHO destined for the big-screen?
Posted by James Clayton
Could the Timelord soon be bringing his TARDIS to a cinema near you? The latest suggestion that the long-running British TV institution Doctor Who may potentially manifest itself in motion picture format came yesterday when Steven Moffatt said that he wouldn’t rule it out as a possibility.
Speaking at the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival, Moffatt, the executive producer and key creative showrunner of the Doctor Who brand, gave his seal of approval by stating…
“As long as it was great and fantastic… as long as it doesn’t get in the way of the show we could do it.”
The much-loved sci-fi series has already yielded non-canon spin-off movies in the shape of the 1960s Peter Cushing features Dr. Who and the Daleks and Daleks - Invasion Earth 2150 AD. Though the emphasis appears very much to be on keeping the recently revamped television show fresh at the forefront of popular imagination, an official film extension looks an evermore likely probability.
Considering Doctor Who’s cult status and the immense revival it has experienced since returning to primetime British TV in 2005, a big-screen adventure would most certainly be viable. As BBC sources refuse to rule out plans to pursue such an endeavour, it’s also worth noting the value of Doctor Who to the corporation as an exportable commodity. The Beeb is constantly under external pressure to justify its existence and license fee structure, so a guaranteed global hit to bring additional profit and present an image of cultural significance would be appealing for the institution.
If the creative heads behind Doctor Who are willing, it’s not hard to imagine that a cinematic spin-off could be produced quickly in co-ordination with the television series. One big question is whether anything will be attempted before the tremendous David Tennant hands over the sonic screwdriver and steps down as the Doctor. Regardless, it’d take a gargantuan effort to make anything as atrocious as the 1996 Anglo-American TV-movie mess starring Paul McGann as the two-hearted hero. Whoever bears the Timelord title, a Doctor Who film will undoubtedly be eagerly anticipated and received with rabid enthusiasm.
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That would be sooooo awesome!!!
Maybe then people here in Germany will fall in love with the doctor like I did. And yeah, hopefully it will be starring David Tennant, he is great!
Superb news, considering that I get the tardis tattoed on my left arm in two weeks. yay. can’t wait for that either :)
A movie would be great, but hopefully it does not resemble that idiotic reboot currently playing on the BBC. Tacky romantic subplots, constantly-droning synth music over EVERYTHING, and a palpable lack of tension have sapped much that I once loved from the series. The show is not intelligent enough for adults, nor is it scary/thrilling enough for kids. It’s like a cheap 90210 with a Tardis.
Get Russel T to write it, make it the bridge point between the 8th and 9th doctor with the time war and you’d have me hooked. Otherwise, let it lie.
I think it would be a splendid idea if it were to become a movie, and I think it would be a good way for David Tennant to say good bye to all his fans instead of just ending it on an episode then maybe it would attract more people to watch Doctor Who if they leave the movie on a cliff hanger that leads in to the new season! Well its an idea at least…