TV writer quells rumours of Doctor Who movie
Moffatt says no film yet ... but if there was one, it'd be British
TV writer Steven Moffat has dismissed rumours of a Doctor Who movie coming soon, despite comments from director David Yates, supposedly in the driving seat for the adaptation.
MTV News quizzed Yates, director of four Harry Potter films, on the red carpet last night about Doctor Who's silver screen incarnation, which he had previously mentioned in an interview with Variety.
Yates had told Variety that he was developing the movie with Jane Tranter, head of BBC Worldwide Productions, and that they were currently looking for writers.
More controversially, he said the movie would not follow on from current TV series, starring Matt Smith, and posited the possibility of American or British writers on the project.
The news caused many diehard Doctor Who fans to fear a total Hollywood facelift for the good doctor, complete with bad English accents and American ideologies instead of quintessential Britishness of the TV version.
On the red carpet for last night’s BAFTA Los Angeles 2011 Britannia Awards, Yates said once again that the project was only now looking for writers and the movie was "a long way off".
However, Steven Moffat, current head writer of the TV show, said in an emailed statement to The Register that Yates "was talking off the cuff and a little prematurely".
"There simply are no developed plans for a Doctor Who movie at the moment," he started off – but he wasn't quite willing to let the idea die entirely.
"It's an incredibly exciting idea to get that magic blue box flying across our cinema screens, so stand by for further developments," he added.
However, he did fully pooh-pooh the idea that a Doctor Who movie would be a Hollywood reboot.
"If, and when, the movie happens it will need to star television's Doctor Who – and there's only ever one of those at a time," he said. "And it would need to come out of the same production operation that makes the series.
"Doctor Who is a vitally important BBC brand with a huge international audience and not even Hollywood can start this one from scratch. So sorry if there's been any confusion, but on the plus side it has reminded us all what an exciting prospect this could be.
"Whatever happens, the BBC and BBC Worldwide will work together to ensure that we don't just get a movie, we get the movie that everyone wants," he added.
Clearly these boys need to get together and sort out their stories – as much as a bad version of the movie would be terrible, so would no movie at all after getting the fans all psyched up for one.
On the other hand, Moffat's final comment would lead those of a suspicious bent of mind to conclude that he and Yates are very deftly stirring up interest in a movie early on in its genesis.
"Keep asking me about it – maybe I'll surprise you with an answer!" he signed off. ®
COMMENTS
Aw, an American Doctor Who could be fun!
Jones: Doctor, the Cybermen are attacking. What do we do?
[Doctor pulls automatic pistol from belt, slams in magazine]
Doctor: Well Jones, this shit just got real.
[Cyberman appears from arount the corner. Doctor blazes away firing several hundred shots form his pistol without reloading. Many unnamed ancillary characters are shot and killed immediately without screaming, bleeding or begging for their families]
Doctor: Fuck yeah, have that you motherfucking tin-can.
[Cyberman shouts something in language other than english before stealing a motorbike from a passerby and taking off]
Jones: Doctor, he's heading straight for the Superbowl! And that bomb only has seconds before it explodes.
Doctor: Cor blimey Jones, don't get your knickers in a twist! [pats tardis] this old girl has a few tricks yet, what what.
[Cue Hard Rock soundtrack. Tardis leaps into the air and transforms spectacularly into a Chevy muscle-car. Doctor gives chase in largely straight line, weaving only to knock over as many improbably-sited market stalls and water-filled bollards as possible. Several police follow only to fly into the air and land upside-down for no obvious reason...]
Jane Tranter, head of BBC Worldwide Productions
Would that be Pete Tranter's sister?
Smoke me a kipper I'll be back for breakfast!
"...and have plot holes you could drive a bus through."
So, er, just like every Doctor Who episode written by Russell T. Davies, then?
Critical Point
"Doctor Who is a vitally important BBC brand"
There is a deep truth here that will talk louder than any other issue. The BBC makes more money off the Dr Who brand than any other income stream. This a big difference from a decade odd ago, when it was unloved by management, and prone to the idiotic whim of whoever was in charge. Damaging the brand would be what is known as a "career limiting move". The BBC already sells millions of DVDs, toys, and books, has had a number of spinoff shows, and has a continuing core TV series. One that sells for serious money all around the planet. This is the sort of success that makes a Hollywood exec cream themselves just imagining the prospect. Hollywood movies don't make the real money at the box office. It is this second stream where the gravy is. The BBC does not need Hollywood. There is nothing that Hollywood could teach it or provide to it that it does not already have. Not that that would stop various Hollywood executives pitching to the BBC to try to get the rights to do a film. But this should be recognised as the weaker party (Hollywood), bereft of any originality or actual creative talent, attempting to make money off the back of the BBC's brand.
There is no upside for the BBC is getting into bed with Hollywood. The best that can happen is a continuation of the current astounding strong brand, and the money that already rains from the sky from it. Everything else is downhill, with a damaged brand, reduced income, and no doubt any money that is made from the film being syphoned by the Hollywood moguls before the BBC sees a share.
