Eccleston turned down chance to be in 50th Anniversary story

[DalekJim]

Maybe it's because I'm used to US Television where you have a six year contract and do 22-26 episodes a season (series for you UK people). CE did 13 episodes, and you can deny this if you want, but he became famous world wide because of it.

He was already a celebrity, having appeared in lots of TV shows and movies. Matt Smith is the only New Who Doctor that wasn't already famous before casting.

I don't feel like Chris owes me anything. I'm still a huge Gary Numan fan, and he was weirdly rude to me when I encountered him last year. I don't feel like I'm owed anything by these people.

 

[StCoop]

That's your opinion. A celebrity DOES owe something to the fans or they wouldn't be celebrities. How hard is THAT to understand.

He's not a talentless publicity-seeker looking to get another cover on 'Hello' magazine, he's an actor employed by people to act. His continued employment comes from people who think he's good at what he does and want to work with him, nothing more nothing less.

He was on of the UK's most acclaimed actors before Doctor Who came along and remains so long after it.

 

[diankra]

The only odd thing about Eccleston's 'attitude' would be if thought that Doctor Who will go away if he ignored it: he must know that if he goes out for a drink when he's 80-something, a 50-year-old will ask him for his autograph, saying "I was eight when you were the Doctor, and I'd never seen it before, and I've loved it ever since, but you're still my favourite Doctor!"
But there's no evidence that he does think that: he probably knows that it'll always be the second thing he's asked about, and throws out a comment to deal with that. And by all accounts he is massively pleasant to children who think he's the Doctor, and even teenagers who were children back in 2005.
So what harm would doing the anniversary show do? Well, he might think that it'll feed the beast. But as he did have a meeting, we can only guess that the role his Doctor would have had in the special was something that didn't interest him. So he said no. His call. If he was raking it in by attending conventions and had then refused to come back, then we could accuse him of not respecting his fans. But he doesn't: he just acts, does PR for his current project, and gets on with his private life.

 

[StCoop]

If he was raking it in by attending conventions and had then refused to come back, then we could accuse him of not respecting his fans. But he doesn't: he just acts, does PR for his current project, and gets on with his private life.

There do seem to be a lot of people who can't wrap their heads around the idea of someone being an actor because they like acting, rather than as a way of being famous.

 

[TJ Sinclair]

The only odd thing about Eccleston's 'attitude' would be if thought that Doctor Who will go away if he ignored it: he must know that if he goes out for a drink when he's 80-something, a 50-year-old will ask him for his autograph, saying "I was eight when you were the Doctor, and I'd never seen it before, and I've loved it ever since, but you're still my favourite Doctor!"
But there's no evidence that he does think that: he probably knows that it'll always be the second thing he's asked about, and throws out a comment to deal with that. And by all accounts he is massively pleasant to children who think he's the Doctor, and even teenagers who were children back in 2005.
So what harm would doing the anniversary show do? Well, he might think that it'll feed the beast. But as he did have a meeting, we can only guess that the role his Doctor would have had in the special was something that didn't interest him. So he said no. His call. If he was raking it in by attending conventions and had then refused to come back, then we could accuse him of not respecting his fans. But he doesn't: he just acts, does PR for his current project, and gets on with his private life.

Bingo.

 

[Professor Zoom]

That's your opinion. A celebrity DOES owe something to the fans or they wouldn't be celebrities.

See, there's your problem right there. Eccleston doesn't see himself as a celebrity and doesn't want to be one. He's an actor. That's how he sees himself. An actor who likes taking on new challenges.

How hard is THAT to understand. It's a selfish position (unless he was abused by the people who are there NOW, not then). Sorry, they wouldn't have their fame, money or ability to pick roles they like without the fans.

He was doing just fine before Doctor Who. He may not have been Tom Cruise, but he was working a lot before Who and plenty after Who. It seems more like his talent has gotten what he wants, rather than fanboys.

You don't seem to understand that and neither does Chris.

It's interesting you think YOU understand... perhaps you don't?

There are a few other reasons why it would be acceptable to give the fans the finger

Eccleston, from what I have read, as always been very nice to fans. He doesn't want to a job.

and that would be 1, the pay the producers offered was too low or 2, a scheduling conflict.

Because desire isn't important? He works, he's happy, he likes taking on challenges...

Most actors agree that it's thanks to the fans that they are where they are.

Eccelston has always been nice to fans, and one could argue that while Who raised the awareness of his name, he has chosen not to become a celebrity grabbing at every role. It might be called: intergrity.

Why do you thing RDJ is coming back as Iron Man?

$$$$.

He doesn't need the money.

I bet if Marvel asked for a pay cut, he would refuse to come back. So much for your "doing it for the fans"....

He said he didn't want to disappoint the fans (and have someone else replace him, for now).
All CE had to give up was maybe...maybe 2 or 3 weeks to film a few scenes and get paid.

Sorry, celebs do owe it to the fans (to a certain extent).

Sigh. He.... screw it... I've said it already.

 

[DWF]

I don't see what the big deal is, Eccleston doesn't owe the fans anything and I've always thought it might bee nice to have his insights into how Doctor Who was restarted and his part in it, he doesn't owe us even that. And he doesn't want to be on Doctor Who again that's his business and he's not some out of work actor looking to recapture some glory from his past. Playing the Doctor was an acting role for him nothing more and he hasn't been ungrateful for the opportunity that playing the Doctor gave him, but in theend it was a job and little more, it iddin't define his career or end it as it's done many of the past Doctors.

 

[RoJoHen]

His fans should be happy with the work that he did, but they are in no position to demand that he do more work for them.

 

[Green Lantern]

I have a feeling Eccleston in like five years time or so will really wish he returned for the 50th. Unless of course it's crap, but I do doubt that. But if the show's still on the air and he's not aged too much, maybe we'll see him in the 60th. But unfortunately, I think he'd have aged too much. Even Tennant might be too old by then.

It makes you wonder what would have happened if someone else didn't turn down the role of the ninth doctor, I think Hugh Laurie and Hugh Grant were offered it. Would they have returned? Would they have even stayed on longer? Or would the same story with Eccleston have happened?

 

[Mr Awe]

Well I'd quite like Aherne to take over as showrunner one day, sounds like he's the only one Eccelston has any respect for. Shame as I thought he and RTD had had a good relationship beforehand.

Unfortunately, it's been pretty darn clear that they didn't. What I was hoping, however, was that with a new team Eccleston would've felt OK returning.

It's possible that down the road things will change enough, wounds will heal, etc that he'll be up to return for a special.

Mr Awe

 

[sttngfan1701d]

I have a feeling Eccleston in like five years time or so will really wish he returned for the 50th.

I'd like to think that he would regret it, but I don't think he's the type. Some people just turn their back on their past work entirely. John Hughes springs to mind. Appreciation for his films grew and grew since their 80's debuts but he steadfastly refused to take many interviews, do commentaries, etc. I guess Eccleston is like that when it comes to Who. I did it, people enjoyed it, I'm done.

 

[Guy Gardener]

Can you donate/will your cadaver to a TV show?

 

[Sci]

I'm always sad to hear that Eccleston doesn't want to come back. His Doctor was my first, and remains my favorite.

On the plus side, it means no one can ever screw Nine up again or fail to do him justice!

Oh, and, no, he doesn't owe anyone jack shit. But I've always heard he's very nice to children who see him as the Doctor.

 

[Green Lantern]

In some ways, maybe he has more respect for the doctor and doctor who than most of the past ones by not being a "parasite" to it by coming back as much as he can, doing interviews, audios and so on. Fans with me included like doctors to be "parasites" to the show I think, but overall, maybe Eccleston just doesn't want to "overstay his welcome" if you know what I mean.....I've probably worded this as badly as possible, but....

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Sometimes he comes off like that guy who doesn't own a TV and makes sure everyone he meets knows it. I understand he may want to distance himself from the role or whatever but he seems to be very committed to his non-commitment, to the point that it seems he puts an effort into it rather than just simply not being interested.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

It seems there's a whole lot of projecting going on in this thread.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Unfortunately, that's nothing new when it comes to this subject.

The past is the past. If that's where Christopher Eccleston wants to keep it, that's his prerogative. The rest of us can be content with the 13 episodes that he produced. That's all there's to it.

The rest is self-induced stress.

 

[sttngfan1701d]

But I've always heard he's very nice to children who see him as the Doctor.

That's nice if it's true. I know that if a 4-5 year old kid came up to me and said "Look! The Doctor!" I'd say hi to them in character. I hope he does that sometimes.

 

[Stevil2001]

Sometimes he comes off like that guy who doesn't own a TV and makes sure everyone he meets knows it. I understand he may want to distance himself from the role or whatever but he seems to be very committed to his non-commitment, to the point that it seems he puts an effort into it rather than just simply not being interested.

To be fair, if you didn't own a TV, but everyone kept on interviewing you about when you were going to buy one, you might have to commit to your non-commitment, too.

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

The past is the past. If that's where Christopher Eccleston wants to keep it, that's his prerogative.

But it's not, really. Doctor Who is just this old girlfriend he keeps mentioning because they had a bad breakup.