David (Harry Potter) Yates to direct Doctor Who The Movie!

[Brendan Moody]

Interesting. That piece also talks about multiple Anniversary Specials in 2013.

Can you say Gap Year II, boys and girls? ('cos I can't see any physical way they could shoot them in addition to two regular series and an Xmas special in the time available.)

No, it says multiple anniversary episodes, not specials

The Radio Times reporter says "multiple episodes," but it's not clear from Moffat's actual comments whether he's hinting at multiple episodes or multiple specials. Either way, it seems from Matt Smith's recent comments that whatever Moffat is teasing will be part of the 14 episodes filmed starting in February.

 

[Cutter John]

This whole debate is just giving me a headache.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

This whole debate is just giving me a headache.

And my response to the debate is "Who fucking cares?" The film is in development, its years away from being solid, anything said now will likely be wrong by the time it comes to fruition anyway.

 

[Admiral_Young]

If it even does go to production. They could very well change their mind, or Yates could become too busy to do it. A number of things could happen. As to who cares... apparently we do because we're on page 23 of a thread talking about essentially the same things since the "announcement".

 

[Sci]

I just find it amusing the way so many people who are not part of the BBC seem to be convinced they know the inner workings of BBC office politics.

 

[Deckerd]

If it even does go to production. They could very well change their mind, or Yates could become too busy to do it. A number of things could happen. As to who cares... apparently we do because we're on page 23 of a thread talking about essentially the same things since the "announcement".

Some people are speculating, others are taking the opportunity to yet again air their terrible hurt and others are helping them to get closure.

 

[The Wormhole]

we're on page 23 of a thread talking about essentially the same things since the "announcement".

I just find it amusing the way so many people who are not part of the BBC seem to be convinced they know the inner workings of BBC office politics.

Just another day on the Trek BBS then.

 

[Captaindemotion]

^ People who are part of the BBC don't even know its inner workings...

 

[Allyn Gibson]

More immediately, Yates will be working on Your Voice in My Head.

 

[StCoop]

Dragging thist thread out from the depths with an update from David Yates who's still convinced he'll be making the film, but not before 2015:

http://blogtorwho.blogspot.com/2012/03/doctor-who-movies-on-way.html

 

[Psion]

From the link:

ETA: Doctor Who Brand Manager Edward Russell has been in touch to remind us that Steven Moffat's denial of the proposed film is "the absolute truth and final word on the matter."

 

[StCoop]

From the link:

ETA: Doctor Who Brand Manager Edward Russell has been in touch to remind us that Steven Moffat's denial of the proposed film is "the absolute truth and final word on the matter."

So one of the biggest and most successful Directors in the world is totally delusional?

 

[23skidoo]

From the link:

ETA: Doctor Who Brand Manager Edward Russell has been in touch to remind us that Steven Moffat's denial of the proposed film is "the absolute truth and final word on the matter."

So one of the biggest and most successful Directors in the world is totally delusional?

Not delusional but maybe banking on the rights becoming available by 2015. There's also no guarantee the TV series will still be on the air then. One of the Who blogs had a sobering thought a few months ago that the show is now entering its 7th season - equalling the longevity of most of the Trek spinoffs by the way - which places it on "borrowed time" for a science fiction series being produced in the 21st century. Lots of folks are taking it for granted that the revival will run another 26 years, but we could just as easily see the headline "Doctor Who to retire after 50th season" much as there were similar headlines (albeit one year out) back in the 25th season. A change of regime, a period of low ratings, budget cutbacks, a reduction or elimination of the license fee, or any number of things could bring the DW series to a close before 2015, leaving things wide open for a new version. A reboot might also be seen as more palatable if there is no competition.

Just as long as the Beeb doesn't do something utterly insane like cancel the TV series in favor of a movie...

Alex

 

[StCoop]

Not delusional but maybe banking on the rights becoming available by 2015.

He doesn't need to wait for the rights since it's BBC Worldwide who are developing this "non-existent" film with him.

You know, it's so many years away that there's not much point trying to devine the truth of the situation, at least not while Moffat's in charge of the TV series. Perhaps Toby Whithouse (or whomever) will be more amenable to work with them by the time Yeats finishes with the two films he's already got lined up to make?

 

[captcalhoun]

in the highly unlikely event of the dumbasses in government ditching the license fee, the Beeb would be lunatics to cancel Doctor Who, when they could sell ad space for that at a premium.

 

[Saul]

From the link:

So one of the biggest and most successful Directors in the world is totally delusional?

Not delusional but maybe banking on the rights becoming available by 2015. There's also no guarantee the TV series will still be on the air then. One of the Who blogs had a sobering thought a few months ago that the show is now entering its 7th season - equalling the longevity of most of the Trek spinoffs by the way - which places it on "borrowed time" for a science fiction series being produced in the 21st century. Lots of folks are taking it for granted that the revival will run another 26 years, but we could just as easily see the headline "Doctor Who to retire after 50th season" much as there were similar headlines (albeit one year out) back in the 25th season. A change of regime, a period of low ratings, budget cutbacks, a reduction or elimination of the license fee, or any number of things could bring the DW series to a close before 2015, leaving things wide open for a new version. A reboot might also be seen as more palatable if there is no competition.

Alex

I was thinking the same thing just the other night but fandom would be on such a high in the lead up and during the 50th Anniversary that it would seem madness to end the series after. Also we've had a year of specials between the 4th and 5th series. I could see something like that happening in a way to give the franchise some time to breath.

By 2015 I doubt Moffat would still be producer to have a say on the movie. I also wonder would they put the series on hold so as not to have it clash with the movie.

 

[Admiral_Young]

Something is still fishy about this story. Yates still insists he is directing a film, yet Moffat has been steadfast that there will be no "Doctor Who" film (at least by Yates) since this story broke. Maybe the BBC is telling Yates one thing, while they're also telling Moffat another thing?

 

[Psion]

From the link:

ETA: Doctor Who Brand Manager Edward Russell has been in touch to remind us that Steven Moffat's denial of the proposed film is "the absolute truth and final word on the matter."

So one of the biggest and most successful Directors in the world is totally delusional?

There are plenty of alternative explanations. But now the show's brand manager supports the show's executive producer, and so I'll doubt Yates' word before Moffat.

 

[Starkers]

Interestinly David Tennant was on the Kermode/Mayo show last Friday, and he was asked about a possible film (and whether he'd be in it). He gave a very politic answer that didn't really reveal much of anything, but one thing I did pick up on was that he seemed to suggest that discussions around a film had been ongoing at some level pretty much since the show came back and proved a hit, so I wonder if Yates is the latest in a long line of people who had been asked to consider it, and he's just being more vocal about it than the others?

I still feel someone at the BBC is playing Moffat and Yates off against one another to a degree because the BBC could clear this up quite easily with an official statement.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

Interestinly David Tennant was on the Kermode/Mayo show last Friday, and he was asked about a possible film (and whether he'd be in it). He gave a very politic answer that didn't really reveal much of anything, but one thing I did pick up on was that he seemed to suggest that discussions around a film had been ongoing at some level pretty much since the show came back and proved a hit, so I wonder if Yates is the latest in a long line of people who had been asked to consider it, and he's just being more vocal about it than the others?

I still feel someone at the BBC is playing Moffat and Yates off against one another to a degree because the BBC could clear this up quite easily with an official statement.

They have, there is a film in development but it's years away from any thing concrete and talks are on going. Which as far as Moffat is concerned means it's not happening. I mean there's just vague planning going on for years from now, it's not "This film is happening, the script is ready and filming starts next month."