Eccleston turned down chance to be in 50th Anniversary story

[DWF]

At the very least, he must have been very naive to play an iconic family/children's-orientated role like The Doctor and not think about things like having his face on merchandise. There have been DW toys for as long as I remember.

I don't know that that was ever an issue with Eccleston.

It was certainly an issue with Benedict Cumberbatch, as he cited that as a reason for not taking the role after Tennant's departure.

I didn't think Cumberbatch was ever up for the role ofthe Doctor or was taht the reason he didn't try our for the part?

 

[The Nth Doctor]

You realize, of course, that since Eccleston DID take the meeting with Moffat, that he was most certainly told what the episode was about and maybe even shown a few pages of script.

He's an authentic, true guy.

Maybe he turned it down because it looked terrible, or because he felt all this "The Doctor is really an evil monster!" crap was...well, crap.

For people who ARE NOT excited about the 50th based upon hints at plot, Eccleston turning down the 50th is very likely good validation that it is a terrible, hurtful story. More Moffat crap.

Also, Moffat seemed very impatient and irritated with Eccleston, and I totally believe that Eccleston showed up, and Moffat treated him like crap, and Eccleston said screw it.

...or maybe he just wasn't interested in the story.

 

[Captaindemotion]

At the very least, he must have been very naive to play an iconic family/children's-orientated role like The Doctor and not think about things like having his face on merchandise. There have been DW toys for as long as I remember.

I don't know that that was ever an issue with Eccleston.

It was certainly an issue with Benedict Cumberbatch, as he cited that as a reason for not taking the role after Tennant's departure.

I didn't think Cumberbatch was ever up for the role ofthe Doctor or was taht the reason he didn't try our for the part?

I think this was in reply to a hypothetical question; the subject of him playing The Doctor seems to come up a lot and this was his answer to one of those 'so, would you be interested in...?' questions.
L

 

[Allyn Gibson]

^Yes, Brendan Moody has corrected that. I didn't actually introduce the merchandise point though, I simply made that remark in response to Sindatur's reference to lunchboxes (which he's admitted was crossed wires in his part).

My apologies. I genuinely didn't see Brendan's reply.

 

[Captaindemotion]

^ no problem.

 

[Green Lantern]

You realize, of course, that since Eccleston DID take the meeting with Moffat, that he was most certainly told what the episode was about and maybe even shown a few pages of script.

He's an authentic, true guy.

Maybe he turned it down because it looked terrible, or because he felt all this "The Doctor is really an evil monster!" crap was...well, crap.

For people who ARE NOT excited about the 50th based upon hints at plot, Eccleston turning down the 50th is very likely good validation that it is a terrible, hurtful story. More Moffat crap.

Also, Moffat seemed very impatient and irritated with Eccleston, and I totally believe that Eccleston showed up, and Moffat treated him like crap, and Eccleston said screw it.

Yeah, I think Moffat also treated John Barrowman with crap too. I heard rumours that he was asked to come back for series 6 (probably to join Amy Rory and River in episodes 1 & 2) but turned it down because he had scheduling conflicts, so couldn't' do it, and after that Moffat's in a sulk and that's probably why he's not in the 50th. So from what I've heard of how Moffat treated Eccleston and Barrowman, no wonder Eccleston declined. From what I've heard, Moffat sounds like an impatient git who writes only for himself.

Or maybe Eccleston like myself and many others are fed up with all these giant plot twists and complicated shit that goes on. And with Moffat, he always marks an occasion with some stupid "altering the universe with complicated plot twists" crap that Eccleston may not like, and I get the feeling he's a bit more down to Earth with the show.

 

[Sindatur]

Barrowman was offered to be in A Good Man Goes to War, and the scheduling conflict was Torchwood Miracle Day

Where did you hear these rumors that Moffat treated Barrowman like crap? I've never heard anything like that.

 

[Captaindemotion]

You realize, of course, that since Eccleston DID take the meeting with Moffat, that he was most certainly told what the episode was about and maybe even shown a few pages of script.

He's an authentic, true guy.

Maybe he turned it down because it looked terrible, or because he felt all this "The Doctor is really an evil monster!" crap was...well, crap.

For people who ARE NOT excited about the 50th based upon hints at plot, Eccleston turning down the 50th is very likely good validation that it is a terrible, hurtful story. More Moffat crap.

Also, Moffat seemed very impatient and irritated with Eccleston, and I totally believe that Eccleston showed up, and Moffat treated him like crap, and Eccleston said screw it.

Yeah, I think Moffat also treated John Barrowman with crap too. I heard rumours that he was asked to come back for series 6 (probably to join Amy Rory and River in episodes 1 & 2) but turned it down because he had scheduling conflicts, so couldn't' do it, and after that Moffat's in a sulk and that's probably why he's not in the 50th. So from what I've heard of how Moffat treated Eccleston and Barrowman, no wonder Eccleston declined. From what I've heard, Moffat sounds like an impatient git who writes only for himself.

Or maybe Eccleston like myself and many others are fed up with all these giant plot twists and complicated shit that goes on. And with Moffat, he always marks an occasion with some stupid "altering the universe with complicated plot twists" crap that Eccleston may not like, and I get the feeling he's a bit more down to Earth with the show.

Or maybe you're confusing your own feelings about Moffatt with Eccleston's own, unknown-to-us, reasons for not appearing in the episode.

 

[Green Lantern]

Barrowman was offered to be in A Good Man Goes to War, and the scheduling conflict was Torchwood Miracle Day

Where did you hear these rumors that Moffat treated Barrowman like crap? I've never heard anything like that.

Ah right. I bet Barrowman wishes he chose DW. :P

 

[Sindatur]

Barrowman was offered to be in A Good Man Goes to War, and the scheduling conflict was Torchwood Miracle Day

Where did you hear these rumors that Moffat treated Barrowman like crap? I've never heard anything like that.

Ah right. I bet Barrowman wishes he chose DW. :P

I think Barrowman, was probably happier with the bigger paycheck of lead Actor in 10 episodes (A Starz Production probably has a higher Salary budget than Doctor Who), versus guest star in a single episode of Doctor Who. Eccelston might've regretted choosing the lesser "quality" project despite the bigger paycheck, but, I doubt it bothered Barrowman, who doesn't have the career opportunities Eccelston has

 

[Sci]

Or maybe Eccleston like myself and many others are fed up with all these giant plot twists and complicated shit that goes on. And with Moffat, he always marks an occasion with some stupid "altering the universe with complicated plot twists" crap that Eccleston may not like, and I get the feeling he's a bit more down to Earth with the show.

Yes, that's it. Clearly. Christopher Eccleston, acclaimed actor of stage and screen, declined to shoot a Doctor Who anniversary episode because he's upset we never found out why the 52nd Century Anglican Church allied itself with the Order of the Headless Monks and the Silence.

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

Yes, that's it. Clearly. Christopher Eccleston, acclaimed actor of stage and screen, declined to shoot a Doctor Who anniversary episode because he's upset we never found out why the 52nd Century Anglican Church allied itself with the Order of the Headless Monks and the Silence.

Because he's "down to Earth".

 

[TJ Sinclair]

This is purely me wondering out loud. I have never heard anything one way or the other, but what was Eccleston's relationship with Billie Piper like during their time filming series one? Have either of them ever said anything about it?

*If* they didn't get along, I could see Eccleston maybe not wanting to work with her again. But again, I don't know if they got along or not.

And again, where are people getting this "Moffat treats people like crap" stuff? I've never seen hint of that anywhere, except from some fans making inferences because they don't like Moffat's writing and the fact that he can come off as pretty glib in interviews.

 

[JoeZhang]

Yes, that's it. Clearly. Christopher Eccleston, acclaimed actor of stage and screen, declined to shoot a Doctor Who anniversary episode because he's upset we never found out why the 52nd Century Anglican Church allied itself with the Order of the Headless Monks and the Silence.

Because he's "down to Earth".

Did he shoot your dog or something? Your comments here are most of the nature of someone with a personal grudge than someone watching a TV show.

 

[TJ Sinclair]

Yes, that's it. Clearly. Christopher Eccleston, acclaimed actor of stage and screen, declined to shoot a Doctor Who anniversary episode because he's upset we never found out why the 52nd Century Anglican Church allied itself with the Order of the Headless Monks and the Silence.

Because he's "down to Earth".

Did he shoot your dog or something? Your comments here are most of the nature of someone with a personal grudge than someone watching a TV show.

I think you're missing the tone of their comments, bud.

 

[Starkers]

Or maybe Eccleston like myself and many others are fed up with all these giant plot twists and complicated shit that goes on. And with Moffat, he always marks an occasion with some stupid "altering the universe with complicated plot twists" crap that Eccleston may not like, and I get the feeling he's a bit more down to Earth with the show.

Yes, that's it. Clearly. Christopher Eccleston, acclaimed actor of stage and screen, declined to shoot a Doctor Who anniversary episode because he's upset we never found out why the 52nd Century Anglican Church allied itself with the Order of the Headless Monks and the Silence.

apparently it keeps him awake at night!

You realize, of course, that since Eccleston DID take the meeting with Moffat, that he was most certainly told what the episode was about and maybe even shown a few pages of script.

He's an authentic, true guy.

Maybe he turned it down because it looked terrible, or because he felt all this "The Doctor is really an evil monster!" crap was...well, crap.

For people who ARE NOT excited about the 50th based upon hints at plot, Eccleston turning down the 50th is very likely good validation that it is a terrible, hurtful story. More Moffat crap.

Also, Moffat seemed very impatient and irritated with Eccleston, and I totally believe that Eccleston showed up, and Moffat treated him like crap, and Eccleston said screw it.

Yeah, I think Moffat also treated John Barrowman with crap too. I heard rumours that he was asked to come back for series 6 (probably to join Amy Rory and River in episodes 1 & 2) but turned it down because he had scheduling conflicts, so couldn't' do it, and after that Moffat's in a sulk and that's probably why he's not in the 50th. So from what I've heard of how Moffat treated Eccleston and Barrowman, no wonder Eccleston declined. From what I've heard, Moffat sounds like an impatient git who writes only for himself.

Or maybe Eccleston like myself and many others are fed up with all these giant plot twists and complicated shit that goes on. And with Moffat, he always marks an occasion with some stupid "altering the universe with complicated plot twists" crap that Eccleston may not like, and I get the feeling he's a bit more down to Earth with the show.

Or maybe you're confusing your own feelings about Moffatt with Eccleston's own, unknown-to-us, reasons for not appearing in the episode.

You know I think you might be on to something there...

As for Moffat, he can come off a bit smug and arrogant, but I think that comes with the territory, RTD could also. There's very few reports come out of people being unable to work with him however (former executive producer not withstanding) the main issue people have with him is how long he takes to write his episodes! But having read interviews with Gaiman where he explained how much work just writing one episode entailed it may be that Moffat isn't that unusual in this respect, and that maybe RTD was just a bit of a (in the nicest possible terms) freak in terms of how quickly he could turn scripts around

Eccelston at least talked to Moffat which he didn't have to do. It may be that he wasn't interested but was being polite, it may be that it was a situation like Nimoy with Generations, he didn't see the point of coming back just for a few minutes of screen time.

Or maybe Moffat spat on him, called him a gruff Northern bastard and told him to eff off

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

Did he shoot your dog or something? Your comments here are most of the nature of someone with a personal grudge than someone watching a TV show.

I apologize if I sounded abrasive, that was not my intent.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

Or maybe Eccleston like myself and many others are fed up with all these giant plot twists and complicated shit that goes on. And with Moffat, he always marks an occasion with some stupid "altering the universe with complicated plot twists" crap that Eccleston may not like, and I get the feeling he's a bit more down to Earth with the show.

Yes, that's it. Clearly. Christopher Eccleston, acclaimed actor of stage and screen, declined to shoot a Doctor Who anniversary episode because he's upset we never found out why the 52nd Century Anglican Church allied itself with the Order of the Headless Monks and the Silence.

apparently it keeps him awake at night!

Yeah, I think Moffat also treated John Barrowman with crap too. I heard rumours that he was asked to come back for series 6 (probably to join Amy Rory and River in episodes 1 & 2) but turned it down because he had scheduling conflicts, so couldn't' do it, and after that Moffat's in a sulk and that's probably why he's not in the 50th. So from what I've heard of how Moffat treated Eccleston and Barrowman, no wonder Eccleston declined. From what I've heard, Moffat sounds like an impatient git who writes only for himself.

Or maybe Eccleston like myself and many others are fed up with all these giant plot twists and complicated shit that goes on. And with Moffat, he always marks an occasion with some stupid "altering the universe with complicated plot twists" crap that Eccleston may not like, and I get the feeling he's a bit more down to Earth with the show.

Or maybe you're confusing your own feelings about Moffatt with Eccleston's own, unknown-to-us, reasons for not appearing in the episode.

You know I think you might be on to something there...

As for Moffat, he can come off a bit smug and arrogant, but I think that comes with the territory, RTD could also. There's very few reports come out of people being unable to work with him however (former executive producer not withstanding) the main issue people have with him is how long he takes to write his episodes! But having read interviews with Gaiman where he explained how much work just writing one episode entailed it may be that Moffat isn't that unusual in this respect, and that maybe RTD was just a bit of a (in the nicest possible terms) freak in terms of how quickly he could turn scripts around

Eccelston at least talked to Moffat which he didn't have to do. It may be that he wasn't interested but was being polite, it may be that it was a situation like Nimoy with Generations, he didn't see the point of coming back just for a few minutes of screen time.

Or maybe Moffat spat on him, called him a gruff Northern bastard and told him to eff off

RTD was a workaholic who, from reading The Writer's Tale, was working away through Christmas and New Year and all hours. Whereas Moffat has a family life to attend to. I don't suppose it's a big mystery there.

As for the reason Eccleston didn't do the 50th, it was definitely the last one. Or maybe it just worked out to not be workable for various reasons? Real life is hardly ever simple.

 

[Sindatur]

This is purely me wondering out loud. I have never heard anything one way or the other, but what was Eccleston's relationship with Billie Piper like during their time filming series one? Have either of them ever said anything about it?

*If* they didn't get along, I could see Eccleston maybe not wanting to work with her again. But again, I don't know if they got along or not.

And again, where are people getting this "Moffat treats people like crap" stuff? I've never seen hint of that anywhere, except from some fans making inferences because they don't like Moffat's writing and the fact that he can come off as pretty glib in interviews.

I'm not sure about Eccelston's relationship with Piper, last little tidbit I recall it had to do with Show Politics and Party Butt Kissing, I believe.

Moffat treating folks like crap, never heard anything about treating The Actors poorly, but, there was that whole Skinner kerfluffle

 

[Captaindemotion]

Eccleston wasn't invited to Piper's wedding, whereas Tennant and others were. But then again, how many people invite to their wedding someone with whom they worked for less than a year some time ago? Just because they weren't close doesn't mean they didn't get on.

I believe Eccleston and Barrowman didn't hit it off, according to the latter.