A jump to the big screen could be very good thing for the franchise. It would be nice to see the show exposed to a wider audience. Bigger budgets and higher expectations could lead to even more interesting and exciting adventures. Doctor Who has already had a couple of big screen attempts in the past. In 1965 Peter Cushing took on the title role in Dr. Who and the Daleks and again in 1966’s Daleks’ Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D. In these films the character of the doctor was changed to a completely different concept of the original – making him a human named “Dr. Who.” A new big-screen Doctor Who would more than likely stay true to the show in its current incarnation. Of course there is always the fear that a movie could ruin the whole thing. Maybe the story will be bad, maybe the essence of the show will be lost or for whatever reason it just not work. But in this case Doctor Who is certainly worth the chance.
There is a world of possibilities for a Doctor Who movie. The addition of a big name like Catherine Zeta-Jones would probably help get the project off the ground and fill more theater seats (not to mention getting distribution in the US). That being said, fans of the show are probably hoping that Rose, the Doctor’s companion of the first two seasons of the new series, would return. Billie Piper, who played Rose, has gained some attention and praise for her role on Secret Diary of a Call Girl. Piper also returned for the season finale episodes of this past season of Doctor Who. It would also be great to see John Barrowman as Captain Jack on the big screen. Barrowman is currently on Torchwood, a Doctor Who spin-off series, and a re-teaming of Captain Jack and The Doctor seems like a natural. There are a multitude of worlds to visit, time periods to see, and aliens to help or conquer (depending on the alien).
Only time will tell if the future holds a place for Doctor Who on the big screen.
Article comments
1 - Dawn
The Telegraph - it's not so much that they dislike Doctor Who - they don't seem to like David Tennant. Although in the UK it is fashionable to pull to pieces anything or anyone of any success (which is probably why our bigger stars tend to move to the States.) They criticised "Hamlet" which David is in - and everyone else thought it was superb. I for one think a movie with DT would be a brilliant stroke and I think that Catherine Zeta Jones would be a perfect companion. As for Rose...why assume we Brits want her back. Yes, she was dynamic and we saw the character grow, but her time has passed and the production has to move on. I loved Catherine Tate but her character wouldn't suit a movie version...and it "needs" a name to play opposite The Doctor to give it more of a pull outside the UK. Of course Rose could come lokking for the (other) Doctor who has gone off the rails ("the dark lord") and found his way back to our universe... There's a storyline to think about....
2 - Christopher Rose
I think a Dr Who movie would be a great idea. Personally I can't stand Catherine Tate, who is mind-numbingly one dimensional in Dr Who and as a comedienne, so I hope she doesn't get the job. Zeta Jones would be good as a sidekick and Piper pretty cool too. Angelina Jolie would be good too.
3 - Alex McDonald
I hope the show gets a larger following stateside, and I suppose a movie could create a fan base here.
I grew up watching the old ones (on PBS where the shows were so jumbled that I had no idea he regenerated into the randomly different doctors for about a year,) and I initially refused to watch the new ones. I told my friend I wouldn't watch until K9 was on it, then School Reunion came around and I was hooked.
I think the new shows (writers, David, etc.) could sustain a movie but I fear that it could also kill the show. Movies are often the ruin of the shows they grow out of.
4 - NancyGail
Tennant good, but other actors out there who have been Doctor. Yes, DT in 'specials' next year. Also a chance 2010 when new season starts, Tennant returns. 'Specials' not part of season. Doc's not dead, remember?