50th Anniversary, the 11 Doctors?

[The Borgified Corpse]

Recasting: Bad, bad, bad idea. Even in The Five Doctors, Hurndall is NOTHING like Hartnell was.

That's just because he didn't spend enough time forgetting his lines and trying to cover it up with senile giggling.

Personally, I think they should get the creepy old guy from "Captain Jack Harkness" & "End of Days" to play the 1st Doctor.

I kinda think this kind of restrospective special needs the 1st Doctor, particularly since he's so radically different from any of the other Doctors in terms of his ultra-cranky temprament and the way he often seemed like only a supporting character, particularly during the 1st couple seasons when the show seemed to mostly focus on Ian & Barbara. In some ways, the 1st Doctor is more of an idea for the character as opposed to something specifically tied to a single actor.

On the other hand, I have an incredibly difficult time picturing anyone else trying to pull off the 2nd or 3rd Doctors.

However...I've always believed that Colin Baker got totally screwed, and would love it if he were to reprise his role in the new series one last time to give him a more fitting end. Since we never saw him between the end of TOATL and McCoy's first ep (except for McCoy face-down in Baker's costume), we never really found out the ultimate fate of Baker's Doctor, or how old he got.

We don't know how old he looked in the face but he certainly seemed to still be a slender man, something you absolutely can no longer say about Colin Baker.

Here's a retrospective idea: Have the 11th Doctor contract some sort of Time Lord brain disease that makes him go through a mental regression of all his previous incarnations, so you have all 11 Doctors played by Matt Smith. (I even have this idea for a "chameleon suit" that projects attire appropriate to the mental state of the wearer. That way, we can put Matt Smith into all of the previous Doctors' costumes.)

An alternate idea: Have all of the Doctors trapped in a maze (maybe even lost in the bowels of the TARDIS). Some Doctors cross paths with each other. Some pair off with each other. Some find a comm unit that allows them to appear in voiceover (Colin Baker). Some are never located at all or are only referred to in passing.

In addition to the dead Doctors, I also think it's overly optimistic to think that you'll ever get Tom Baker to willingly do a scene with any of the other Doctors. While he's shown a recent enthusiasm for returning for audio adventures, don't let that fool you into thinking that he'll ever be willing to play along to the extent of someone like Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, or Colin Baker.

Another alternate idea: In lieu of non-participating Doctors, have them represented by companions of their era: Ian, Susan, Jamie, Zoe, Jo, Sarah Jane, Romana, (no Brigadier though ).

Although, I think the biggest problem with a multi-Doctor story is finding any two Doctors that could ever have chemistry to compare with the fantastic bickering between Troughton & Pertwee.

 

[Bacl]

I think the audio book "The Four Doctors" did a multi-doctor story really smart: One problem, one constant traveling between multiple points in the Doctor's life. At some points he's ahead of the game, at some points he's in the dark, but what we essentially get are a few quick but intense scenes of each Doctor working independently of each other on the same problem.

This is how I'd like to see the 50th anniversary special. Go backwards from Smith to Baker with short, smart scenes and an over-arching problem. Don't have them talk to each other or interact except for a few minutes at the end.

 

[milo bloom]

Realistically, I hope for a special with McGann, Eccleston, Tennant and Smith ...

I'm showing my bias as someone who started with Eccleston (though I've grown to appreciate Classic Who since), but I like this idea the best. Kind of a "keep it simple, stupid" way of thinking.

Although, if they were to get really ambitious, perhaps having the "modern" four Doctors show up in some of the older adventures, like when DS9 had the crew go back in time and interact with Kirk and company in Trials and Tribble-ations might be a fun way of showing the older doctors without worrying about recasting or how the actor looks nowadays.

 

[BlastHardcheese]

They will never recast the first three Doctors, don't even think about that. Yes, they managed, barely, to get away with it with Richard Hurndall, but that was in 1983; today's audiences wouldn't stand for it. Personally I don't care if Sean Connery were cast - I don't want to ever see anyone but Jon Pertwee playing the 3rd Doctor. Or Troughton or Hartnell as the first two. I'd actually boycott the thing, quite frankly, and this is coming from someone who otherwise thinks boycotts of such nature are stupid.

Most people in "today's audience" wouldn't even know the original doctors or have seen many of their episodes. They certainly wouldn't have grown up with them...

Unless you're also talking about people today who saw the episodes back in the 60's. In which case, why wouldn't "pulling a Hurdnall" and recasting work now? What's so special about 1983 that made it a year where suspension of disbelief was much easier?

 

[Australis]

I really don't get the hole "recasting is bad" thing. Why not? Sure they'd have to be close, but keep in mind:

-- Who time is always in flux. Maybe they can change just as history does, in some cases.

- most people watching Who today have NEVER seen 1-7 in action. They won't care. And there's more of them than us.

-- whoever is in charge would do their best to get it right.

The point of doing these multi-Doctor reunions is because we want to see those particular actors again, not see someone else doing an impersonation of them. If certain actors are unavailable, that's unfortunate, but better to leave them out than to have a poser filing in for them.

Emphasis mine.

No, the point of doing these multi-Doctor reunions is because we want to see those particular characters again.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I really don't get the hole "recasting is bad" thing. Why not? Sure they'd have to be close, but keep in mind:

-- Who time is always in flux. Maybe they can change just as history does, in some cases.

- most people watching Who today have NEVER seen 1-7 in action. They won't care. And there's more of them than us.

-- whoever is in charge would do their best to get it right.

The point of doing these multi-Doctor reunions is because we want to see those particular actors again, not see someone else doing an impersonation of them. If certain actors are unavailable, that's unfortunate, but better to leave them out than to have a poser filing in for them.

Emphasis mine.

No, the point of doing these multi-Doctor reunions is because we want to see those particular characters again.

mmmm, no. The Doctor is the same character (though characterized differently by different actors). I agree the real impact would be seeing the actors again, even if they're a little older & a little fatter.

 

[Starkers]

Here's a retrospective idea: Have the 11th Doctor contract some sort of Time Lord brain disease that makes him go through a mental regression of all his previous incarnations, so you have all 11 Doctors played by Matt Smith. (I even have this idea for a "chameleon suit" that projects attire appropriate to the mental state of the wearer. That way, we can put Matt Smith into all of the previous Doctors' costumes.)

I think the trouble with that idea is that I doubt Smith is a good enough actor to convincingly pull them all off...and that isn't an insult because I think there'd be precious few actors who could really do a good job of playing all 11 incarnations.

I think the best idea is to keep it simple, maybe just a two or three Doctor story, and probably the wisest course of action would be for one of those Doctors to be Tennant (he's incredibly popular, he won't have appeciably aged, and he'd probably jump at the chance) plus I kind of like the idea of 10 and 11 together...I can see it now...

11 "Can I ask you something?"

10. "Of course?"

11. "Why do you keep apologising to everyone?"

So for me 10 and 11 and then a classic Doctor (they'd obviously just have to avoid mentioning the (time) war!) Actually they could use the Time Lock to their advantage here, maybe they need the help of 4 (face it he would be the best choice) but can only talk to him via a viewscreen/simulation (kind of like the 9 hologram) that sort of distortion could cover a multitude of sins, although it might work better with someone like Davison or McCoy who haven't altered as much as the Baker boys have.

And of course there's McGann...but really I don't think you can use him; kids would have no frame of reference and even adults will probably find someone like Tom or Peter far more recognisable as the Doctor than the guy who played him for 90 minutes once (or rather for about 60 minutes once!).

 

[Whofan]

The "Degeneration" concept has been used before a few times, I think in the novels. "State of Change", for instance.

 

[The Wormhole]

I really don't get the hole "recasting is bad" thing. Why not? Sure they'd have to be close, but keep in mind:

-- Who time is always in flux. Maybe they can change just as history does, in some cases.

- most people watching Who today have NEVER seen 1-7 in action. They won't care. And there's more of them than us.

-- whoever is in charge would do their best to get it right.

The point of doing these multi-Doctor reunions is because we want to see those particular actors again, not see someone else doing an impersonation of them. If certain actors are unavailable, that's unfortunate, but better to leave them out than to have a poser filing in for them.

Emphasis mine.

No, the point of doing these multi-Doctor reunions is because we want to see those particular characters again.

No, sorry, it's the actors themselves. Seeing someone pretend to be one of the previous Doctors is not the same, not even close to actually seeing one of the previous Doctors. If they can't get that particular actor, than they shouldn't even bother.

 

[Captaindemotion]

I used to think it would be acceptable to recast the first three Doctors but I have come round to the way of thinking that the original actor is just as important. Though I could live with Sean Pertwee as the Third Doctor - but apparently he's ruled that out.

We oldies all (or mostly anyway) yearn for the return of Tom Baker and Peter Davison (personally I don't care to see the other Baker or McCoy back but I appreciate that they have their fans who would like to see them). I suspect that given how the Beeb has ignored classic Who in recent years any team-up would merely involve the trio from 2006-date. Assuming Eccleston can be coaxed back, anyway.

I'd like to see McGann back and I think his return is possible, both logistically and dramatically but as someone else said, he's arguably a bit obscure for the modern DW audience.

I think if the pre-Eccleston/ Russell T Davies Doctors are referenced in the 50th celebrations, it's most likely to be by flashbacks via old footage and/ or a CGI or otherwise animated special.

 

[Peacemaker]

There is a way to recast the First Doctor...cast an actor who could reasonably play him as a younger version of that Doctor...perhaps a Doctor who had not yet left Gallifrey. The story could even revolve around the current Doctor and his youngest self coming into conflict, with the younger Doctor objecting to his older selves interfering, upholding the Time Lord edict of non-interference; the current Doctor could even be seen to be fighting against alterations in his personal timeline that unfold over the course of a season, with the "Big Bad" revealed to be none other than the First Doctor himself; perhaps the resolution would come down to that being the impetus behind his exodus from Gallifrey.

 

[Satyrquaze]

^ Isn't the anniversary in 2 - 2.5 years?

Oops, you are correct sir. Well put some makeup on him and he'll look old enough anyway.

By then, we might be needing to consider "the 12 Doctors".

 

[captcalhoun]

There is a way to recast the First Doctor...cast an actor who could reasonably play him as a younger version of that Doctor...

i could live with that. but not a pre-exile one.

 

[The Borgified Corpse]

I think the best idea is to keep it simple, maybe just a two or three Doctor story, and probably the wisest course of action would be for one of those Doctors to be Tennant (he's incredibly popular, he won't have appeciably aged, and he'd probably jump at the chance) plus I kind of like the idea of 10 and 11 together...I can see it now...

11 "Can I ask you something?"

10. "Of course?"

11. "Why do you keep apologising to everyone?"

I like it, although I've always thought I'd really like to see the 9th Doctor's reaction to the 11th.

9: "No... No! NO! It can't be! I mean, what the hell am I wearing!?"
11: "Oh, I forgot, this is when I was all angry and judgmental."

I think, if you were going to limit it to only a couple Doctors, it would really need to be an earlier Doctor. After all, we're celebrating the 50th aniversary of the original premiere in 1963, not the premiere of the new series in 2005. If we're only talking two Doctors, I'm thinking probably Matt Smith & a recast 1st Doctor.

But considering Paul McGann is fast becoming my 2nd favorite Doctor behind Matt Smith, I really insist that the 8th Doctor be given another crack at a TV appearance. I'll start a small riot (population: 1) if McGann isn't involved in the 50th aniversary special.

 

[UssGlenn]

maybe they can find a way to do a flashback of 8 regenerating into 9.

 

[Australis]

mmmm, no. The Doctor is the same character (though characterized differently by different actors). I agree the real impact would be seeing the actors again, even if they're a little older & a little fatter.

No, sorry, it's the actors themselves. Seeing someone pretend to be one of the previous Doctors is not the same, not even close to actually seeing one of the previous Doctors. If they can't get that particular actor, than they shouldn't even bother.

Well, I'm sorry. I love Hartnell, Troughtion and Pertwee (and I saw them first tiem around, too), but I'd like the see the characters of of 1-3 again as well. Yes, they might be the same person, but they are different characters, much as an actor can play different characters in different films etc.

Perhaps there are actors good enouh to do a homage.

But beyond that, we must disagree (civilly, I might add).

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

maybe they can find a way to do a flashback of 8 regenerating into 9.

That's not a bad idea. Somehow 11 gets sucked in to the timelocked timewar, near the end, and winds up witnessing his own regeneration.

Purely for our fan-gasm of course

 

[Starkers]

9: "No... No! NO! It can't be! I mean, what the hell am I wearing!?"
11: "Oh, I forgot, this is when I was all angry and judgmental."

Ha ha, I can just imagine Smith delivering that line!

 

[Venardhi]

I think the best option is 8-11 and 1. 8-11 offer a good chance for closure to the Time War and the emotional scars it left on the Doctor (plus they all still look pretty much the same as they did when they appeared as the character), and 1 because it is the 50th anniversary of "The Doctor", not of 4 or 7 or the rest. If you are going to include anyone from before the time war, the first one has to be there.

Any 8-11 story needs the Time War in it, that much is certain to me.

 

[Bacl]

I think the best option is 8-11 and 1. 8-11 offer a good chance for closure to the Time War and the emotional scars it left on the Doctor (plus they all still look pretty much the same as they did when they appeared as the character), and 1 because it is the 50th anniversary of "The Doctor", not of 4 or 7 or the rest. If you are going to include anyone from before the time war, the first one has to be there.

Any 8-11 story needs the Time War in it, that much is certain to me.

Sly looks and sounds the same. 7-11