Sci-Fi Storm

I can already see a teaser preview for this…showing the vast countryside, beautiful mountains, eventually zooming in on a relatively non-descript hobbit hole, focusing on the door, when the door opens, and out comes…Matt Smith as The Doctor, who says, “We’re going on an adventure…”

It turns out that The Hobbit producer/director Peter Jackson is a big fan of Doctor Who, and would like to direct Matt Smith in an episode. Smith recently told the Waikato Times to tell Peter Jackson that he would like Jackson to direct, and he’d love to film it in New Zealand. Jackson responded, “I’m a huge Doctor Who fan, and I think Matt’s fantastic. Just name a time and place, and I’ll be there!” And it appears the producers might like to make it happen (they’d be crazy not to!)

Neil Cross, writer/creator of BBC’s Luther, works in Wellington, NZ, and is friends with Caroline Skinner, executive producer on Doctor Who, and has said he’d love to pen a story for Jackson to direct.

Skinner said cautiously, “It is beyond wonderful that Peter is a fan of the show and it’s beyond flattering that he’d even think about it, I’m absolutely sure that we couldn’t afford him but, you know, we can always negotiate. His enthusiasm is just fantastic of course.” Her and showrunner Steven Moffat have both received a lot of support for the idea.

If you’re hoping for it to happen soon, you’ll need to set expectations. “Of course at some point we’d love to bring Doctor Who Down Underl” she added. “…it won’t be possible until at least a year after the 50th anniversary.” Likely do to budget, as they’ve already an episode in the US and another in Spain, and with the 50th anniversary coming up, I’d expect BBC’s extra-tight wallet control as of late will be focused on that instead of what might be perceived as a “stunt directing” by some.

Cross and Moffat were also in Los Angeles together for the Emmys, with both of their shows (Moffat for Sherlock) had a combined 18 nominations (but alas no wins), and it was expected that they might talk story.

But I can’t imagine how cool this could be!

Fifth Doctor Peter Davidson and four other former Doctors are getting together to help raise funds for Project Motor House – a charity championed by former Doctor Who companion of Davidson, Janet Fielding, who was just recently revealed to have been diagnosed with cancer.

Davidson will be joined by Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann and David Tennant on Saturday, January 19th, 2013 at the Copthorne Hotel Slough-Windsor in Berkshire, UK for “Project Motor Mouth”, to raise funds for the charity and “keep Janet’s spirits up.”

See below for a video about Project Motor House with Janet, which aims to transform a former motor museum in Thanet into a new multi-use venue.

Janet, our thoughts are with you.
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