Doctor Who Coming to the Big Screen Courtesy of Harry Potter Director
Posted 11.14.11 by reelz
Ever since the BBC re-launched its popular sci-fi hit, Doctor Who, tongues have been wagging about when it would make the inevitable move to the big screen. Now Whovians and Who-ligans alike have their answer: 2013 or 2014. Not only that, but Variety is reporting that the director has been announced, helmer of the last four Harry Potter movies, David Yates. On the assignment, Yates has said, "We're looking at writers now. We're going to spend two to three years to get it right. It needs quite a radical transformation to take it into the bigger arena."
For those unfamiliar with Doctor Who, the series centers around an alien called a "Time Lord" from the planet Gallifrey. He travels through time and space with his human companion often righting wrongs and fighting off some serious baddies.
The show, which is rapidly approaching its 50th anniversary, has gone through many changes over the years. The biggest being The Doctor himself. First played by William Hartnell (The Mouse That Roared), when health issues necessitated his departure, rather than cancelling the show, creating a new character or going James Bond and just pretending a change never happened, producers came up with the concept of The Doctor "regenerating" into a new form each time he is about to die. In recent years, The Doctor's shoes have been filled by Christopher Eccleston (28 Days Later), David Tennant (Fright Night), and current Doctor, Matt Smith (In Bruges, uncredited).
With 50 years of Who history to catch up on, it's a good thing that newcomers to the show have some time before it hits theaters. Thank goodness old episodes are on DVD and available to watch streaming. Newer episodes air in repeats on BBC America. Start watching now and you'll be boring impressing friends with your knowledge of Daleks, Cybermen, and the TARDIS in no time. Bonus points if you can make it "a little more sonic."
How will Yates' version compare to what fans have grown accustomed to since the series re-launched in 2005? To that Yates says, "Russell T. Davies and then Steven Moffat have done their own transformations, which were fantastic, but we have to put that aside and start from scratch." Which of course leads to an even bigger question, Who will play The Doctor? Names like Bill Nighy and Hugh Grant have been mentioned in the past to play The Doctor on TV, does this mean they may have a second chance at the iconic role? Who do you think should play him in the movie? Tell us below.