At last week’s ComicCon panel for the BBC’s hit revival of “Doctor Who,” producer Julie Gardner informed the audience that despite rumors to the contrary, a big-screen version of everyone’s favorite Time-Lord was not in the immediate future.
“We are not making any announcement about a Doctor Who movie,” she said. “I’m really sorry. I don’t know where the rumor started. But what it’s made us think is it might be a good idea to do at some point. Is this something that you want?”
Television critic and blogger Alan Sepinwall reported the crowd was enthusiastic in its response to the question. Sepinwall also reports that several trailers for the upcoming specials were shown during the panel.
The panel, consisting of Gardner, producer and writer Russell T. Daives, actors David Tennant and John Barrowman, offered hints of what’s to come for the final three specials this year, but also said they are now “audience members” for the upcoming fifth series as overseen by incoming producer Steven Moffatt. Gardner cited that she has no knowledge of where things could go this season, even saying she wasn’t sure if popular character River Soong might return in an upcoming episode.
Tennant was asked how he felt the viewing audience will accept the transition from his Doctor to the 11th Doctor, played by Matt Smith. Tennant went back to his time as a fan, citing the change from the popular fourth Doctor, Tom Baker to the fifth Doctor in Peter Davison.
“I never forgot him, or loved him any less, but then Peter Davison came along, and within three weeks, I thought he was the best. I think what makes the show go on forever,” he said, adding that within three weeks of Smith taking the reigns fans will have forgotten the 10th Doctor and embraced Smith as “ greatest thing that’s ever been, which he probably is.”
“I think change is part of the show. I’m very very proud to have been part of the history, but I’m very proud that we’re handing it over in good health and that it carries on,” Tennant said.
As for returning to the iconic role, Tennant said he’d be open to playing the Doctor again when the show celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2013.
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