The Movie Controversy Continues!

[ibishtar]

Previously, on Moffat vs Yates...
So David Yates said a while back that he was developing a Doctor Who feature film. And various Doctor Who people, including the brand manager and the editor of Doctor Who Magazine seemed completely surprised by this. Steven Moffat, seemingly just as surprised, responded with skepticsm to the idea.

And now, Round Two

Comments

[bardingtide]

What I'm tempted to posture happened is this.

Someone at BBC Worldwide (like Julie Gardner or someone) bumped into Yates at a party or something and asked him if theoretically at some point in a possible future he might be interested in directing a Doctor Who movie.

Only he missed they were talking theoretically

[ibishtar]

Well, he said he's developing it with Jane Tranter. The scenario you propose doesn't seem possible to me. He said he's developing the project, he didn't say 'he's in talks' to do it. I reckon there must already be some kind of contract.

[bardingtide]

Yes but let's look at what we've got so far.

In the one corner we've got Yates who has said at a couple of red carpet events and interviews that he might be working on something at some point in the future. But no word of confirmation from either BBC Worldwide (who he claims to be working with) or Jane Tranter (who less we forget no longer has any control over Doctor Who).

In the other corner we have Moffat who is current reiging Who Supremo and the man who lives, breaths and eats Doctor Who. First he implies that what Yates is saying is all around bunk (the Moonshot comment) that he comes out and outwright says that it's all around bunk.

Now who are you more tempted to believe? The voice of one lone director or the words of the Who King?

[readrfreak_15]

^THIS!

[ibishtar]

I believe Yates is planning to get a Doctor Who movie out in three years time. I don't know if he will suceed. I think it's unlikely Moffat will be the showrunner in three years time, so I think he's just speaking because he, like everyone, is worried about how this would affect the future of the TV show he loves. I don't know if his words have official backing or if it's just him expressing an opinion. Neither Yates or Moffat's words have been back by BBC heads, which is the most bizarre thing about this. Maybe both, or neither of them are right, I don't know!
If Yates is looking for a script-writer, Moffat is the obvious choice. I hope they meet up one day rather than continut waging this weird war.

[bardingtide]

Moff's words don't /need/ to be backed by BBC Heads. He has ultimate control over Doctor Who. That's what being Show Runner is about.

And three years. That's 2014. We know the 50th aniversary speicaly is coming out in 2013. We know Moff will be in charge for that. I see no reason why he won't still be in charge the year after

[ibishtar]

Moffat has ultimate creative control of the TV series of Doctor Who, but he doesn't own the format. If the BBC Worldwide want to make a movie, I don't think Moffat can stop them, but his opinion will probably hold sway in some way. You're right he might still be around in 2014, don't know why that seemed so far away. Ah, wait, it's the whole 'fall of the Eleventh' storyline they're approaching. I figured it's about Eleven's regeneration, so that's why I thought it was so unlikely for Eleven to still be the Doctor in 2015 and Moffat still be on it in order for Matt Smith to be cast in the movie and still be the current Doctor when the movie airs.

[bardingtide]

If RTD can be Show Runner for two Doctors so can Moff.

By current Doctor he may not mean Matt/Eleven.

He could mean the current Doctor /at the time/

[ibishtar]

I thought of that, it's just the logistics of it is enough to make anyone's brain turn to putty. At least the second half of Matt's third series will air in spring 2013. He'll participate in the 50th anniversary special in November. Depending on whether or not Matt's regeneration story will be in 2013, either he or Twelve will have to film the 2013/2014 series in early 2013 if there is to be one. There's a chance there won't be. Then, it would be time to begin filming the movie in 2013 or 2014. If Matt didn't regenerate before, he'll need to stick around for that as well as staying to have a regeneration story to air on TV after the movie airs in 2014 or 2015 for the movie to be relevant to the current Doctor. If he did regenerate in 2013, that would force them to film Twelve in 2013 so at least one series of his will have aired before the movie airs. Then there would be a gap before his second series. It'll all so confusing, IDK.

[bardingtide]

It's Timey Wimey damn it

And I would still put up with this over a reboot

[sensiblecat]

The BBC announced it on their news website and their flagship morning news programme on Radio 4. That seems pretty official to me.

[bardingtide]

The BBC announced (and believe me I know, because I read) the exact same spiel that Yates gave out in the interview.

THE EXACT SAME. Word for word.

That's lazy reporting parroting an unconfirmed source. Doesn't count.