Cumberbatch hints at 'Doctor Who' role
- Thread starter Samurai8472
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Mmm, well that was reporting on a doctor who genuinely suggested a link, rather than making it up. Scaremongering maybe, but there was a story there. I doubt they've made up that Cbatch was offered the Doctor role and turned it down, and then made up the quotes from him about it.
I don't think they made up the quotes, because the quotes in the article are quite minimal. I do think they selectively spun them, however, to reach a conclusion unsupported by Cumberbatch's quip.
The sum entirety of Cumberbatch's quotation in the Daily Mail article is this: "'David [Tennant] and I talked about it but I thought it would have to be radically different. And anyway, I didn't really like the whole package - being on school lunch boxes." Which is a far cry from what the reporter opens the article with: "Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch has revealed he was offered the role of Doctor Who, but turned it down." All we have confirmed is one actor talking to another actor about a role, a role that ultimately went to someone else; anything more than that is a stretch.
It's also a far cry from Cumberbatch's video interview where he stresses repeatedly that, while he's interested in appearing in Doctor Who, he's not interested in "a role," with the stress on the "a." If he wants a major role in Doctor Who (as that video interview implies), he doesn't give off the vibe of a man afraid to have his face on lunchboxes or action figures.
I will note that the Daily Mail's story doesn't demolish one of the central mythologies of the making of the fifth season (though it does somewhat dent it) -- Matt Smith coming in on the first day of auditions and becoming immediately the only choice for the eleventh Doctor. A probable chronology is this:
* 16 April 2008 -- David Tennant turns down season five. (Page 375 of The Writer's Tale: The Final Chapter)
* Cumberbatch sounded out by Moffat, but ultimately declines
* Autumn 2008 -- Auditions; Smith knocks it out of the park on day 1, and Moffat and Wenger suffer for the next three weeks
I think that the Daily Mail stretched things a very good ways to get a sensationalistic story.
Also, what would "speaking to David Tennant" have to do with being offered the role at all? I mean, it's not like David gets to pick the replacement or anything. I can see them talking about it, as actors, and this new dude saying he wouldn't be into it. But, Tennant has no more approval power over his replacement than any of the Doctors before him.
And, as a side note, I've been bursting trying not to throw my personal opinion in as far as this Cumberbatch guy, as I haven't seen Sherlock yet. But, man is he fugly! I hate to say that, and please understand I am in no way as shallow as to rate his looks over his acting talent. I'm sure he's a brilliant actor. But, thank GOD he's not The Doctor! He's just too damn ugly for me. Just for me! Sorry.
And, as a side note, I've been bursting trying not to throw my personal opinion in as far as this Cumberbatch guy, as I haven't seen Sherlock yet. But, man is he fugly! I hate to say that, and please understand I am in no way as shallow as to rate his looks over his acting talent. I'm sure he's a brilliant actor. But, thank GOD he's not The Doctor! He's just too damn ugly for me. Just for me! Sorry.
If we keep up the duality of the current Doctor, as RTD started, then he would be a perfect Master against Smith's similar frame...
^
You should be glad to be in agreement with such a terrific fellow as myself.
I certainly don't think Cumberbatch is ugly though. That said, people often look different in motion. Seeing some still pics of Matt Smith used to make me think "bloody hell", whereas in motion he's quite pleasing to watch. You've not seen Sherlock; have you ever seen Cumberbatch in anything else?
You should be glad to be in agreement with such a terrific fellow as myself.
I certainly don't think Cumberbatch is ugly though. That said, people often look different in motion. Seeing some still pics of Matt Smith used to make me think "bloody hell", whereas in motion he's quite pleasing to watch. You've not seen Sherlock; have you ever seen Cumberbatch in anything else?
"Cumberbatch" still sounds like a Lewis Carroll monster.
People were indeed commenting about Matt's physical appearance at the start...especially his honker of a chin 
If we keep up the duality of the current Doctor, as RTD started, then he would be a perfect Master against Smith's similar frame...
Nah if it were up to me I'd be cleverer in making the MAster a reflection of Smith. Rather than another youngish man who's slightly old fashioned in his ways and has crazy hair, I'd go for an old actor who's actually very young in his mannerisms.
Heck what do any of us know though, if 11 does meet the MAster it might well just be Simm again.
No, not yet. And, it might be different, you're right. I don't know. It's just, I've seen a video interview with him, and I've seen still-shots, and he just looks...ugly. But, I'm straight, so maybe I'm not seeing a level of attraction there (p.s. I'm not saying you are gay, or find him sexy. It sounds like something I might do. But, it isn't. This time.)
Or the middle of a dirty limerick...
Oh well sure, in a perfect world it's James Nesbitt going psycho. I'm just saying if they stick with the whole reflection thing. I wouldn't mind some deviation. A regeneration The Master doesn't control?
That strikes an interesting side-note in me: Is The Doctor the only Time Lord we've seen regenerate that cannot control the outcome? Romana can and The Master obviously could.
I wouldn't mind that as long as he's toned down a little bit back to the Harold Saxon version (no skeletor), and he regenerates into a new Master during the story...
Well am I right in thinking that Jacobi to Simm is the only time we've actually seen the Master regenerate. I mean taking over Tremas doesn't count, and I doubt taking over Bruce counts either. And who knows how the Simm Master was between the regeneration and the time when he became Harold Saxon. I mean he seemed pretty stable at the end of Utopia but Tennant seemed pretty stable at the end of Parting of the Ways.
"Beware the Cumberbatch, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!"
"Cumberbatch" sounds like a comedic Dickens character, which is appropriate for an actor who does so much costume drama. I saw him in To the Ends of the Earth and liked him a lot.
Incidently, on Aug 1st at 8:30 pm whilst in Melbourne, Stephen Fry tweeted -
Yes, I've joined the 1.6 million other disciples who now follow Mr Fry's tweets.. <hangs head in shame>
there's a Discworld character called Silas Cumberbatch. Used to be the Ankh-Morpork town crier and consequently SHOUTS ALL THE TIME!
God, why? I find him insufferable. I think the best description of Stephen Fry I've seen is "a stupid person's idea of what a clever person is like".
I think 'pearls before swine' adequately describes such people's opinions..
