The Return of the Doctors
BBC has just released an exclusive interview with Matt Smith and David Tennant on the set of Doctor Who’s 50th Anniversary Special. The occasion? A reward for fans who received their Blu-Ray and DVD copies of the shows latest season before the final episode had a chance to air, and not spoiling the finale for the rest of us.
The shows official Twitter explained to fans that if they were able to keep details of the final episode under wraps, a “special video featuring Matt & David” would be unleashed. True to their word — gasp — the video was released to a sea of fainting Whovian’s, and while the actors reveal some incredibly scant details about the upcoming special, I think the clip’s true merit lies in watching Tennant don his signature pinstripe suit and tie once again, but hey, that might just be me.
Ten and Eleven Photographed on Set, Plus: Nine Returns?
Can you feel that, folks? That stirring in the cosmos? That would be the earth-shattering awesome currently radiating from the set of the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary special. This image of actors David Tennant, who recently celebrated his 42nd birthday, and Matt Smith getting cozy with the TARDIS hit the web this week, and I don’t think there’s been a greater cause for celebration amongst Whovians since the anniversary special was first announced. Though the photograph itself gives little information about the upcoming episode, we do get a glimpse at one of the potential villains, seen in the rightmost corner of the image. No news yet on what the Classic Who monster has in store for our hero(es?), but I’m sure it won’t be long before we find out more.
Now, some of you may have felt the same heartache I did upon learning that the Ninth Doctor, Christopher Eccleston, would not be returning to the cast for the anniversary event, but fear not, friends. Everyone’s favorite leather-clad Time Lord is making a return to the series during next week’s episode, entitled “Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS”. The cameo itself is little more than a voice over, much to my chagrin. Keep your ears tuned for this line from Nine’s first episode: “The assembled hordes of Genghis Khan couldn’t get through these doors, and believe me they’ve tried.”
David Tennant and Billie Piper Return for 50th Anniversary Special
BBC News has confirmed that Doctor Who’s most beloved iteration and his trusty companion, Rose, will be returning for the shows fiftieth anniversary episode, set to air on November 23rd. Acclaimed actor John Hurt is said to be making a guest appearance in the episode, as well.
The episode is being penned by showrunner Steven Moffat and directed by Nick Hurran. Tennant and Piper are set to star alongside the current Doctor, Matt Smith, and his latest companion, Jenna-Louise Coleman, with shooting rumored to start around April 1st.
There’s still much to learn about how Rose and Ten’s story will weave into the fold of the current season, or even how the anniversary episode will fall in line with the rest of the show. Even still, I’m aching to know just what kind of adventures The Doctor will get into next, and if Tennant’s involvement is any indication, then all I have to say is: allons-y!
Doctor Who
So proud to finally get to unleash this piece on my blog. It was a long time in the making, and the client who commissioned it was beyond patient. When I get a commission that intimidates me, it takes awhile for the creative juices to start flowing and for my confidence to get up. After all was said and done, though, I’m really happy with how this piece turned out. The client wanted the tardis and the vortex with the good doctor flying through it. I was originally going to include Ms. Amy but by the time I got around to the commission she was gone and Clara was introduced. (Yea, I know, that’s how long it took me to get to this piece.) Luckily, the client loved it and I’m so happy for that. Let me know what you think!
This Month in Science Fiction
January has been rife with some of the best science fiction news we’ve had in quite a while. From the latest rumblings circulating J. J. Abrams’ take on the Star Wars universe to the rumors surrounding the upcoming 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, here’s a look at some of the most notable news stories that recently hit the web.
- Pacific Rim’s newest trailer is a mech-tastic, dystopian roller coaster, and if you aren’t practically squirming in your seat at the thought of seeing this film, I don’t want to know you.
- I’m sure we’re all fully aware by now that Mr. J. J. Abrams has taken up the mantle of director for Episode VII, the first of three upcoming live-action Star Wars films. Additionally, the 3D conversion for the prequel trilogy has been postponed in order to direct more focus towards episodes VII, VIII, and IX. Even with the rumor mill already in high gear, including the notion of cameos by Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill, Abrams thinks it’ll be at least another three years before we see Disney’s newest property on the big screen.
- Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome is finally finding it’s way into your living rooms after a long battle with Syfy over its impending release. February 10th sees the highly anticipated prequel series premiering as a full-length, two hour film, later to be released on Blu-Ray with a visual effects documentary and thirteen deleted scenes. Frak yeah.
- Lit-nerds, start your engines: the shortlist for the British Science Fiction awards is finally up!
- For those of you not big on the whole ‘reading’ thing, check out the demo for EA’s latest edition to the Dead Space series with the recently released demo for the third installment, available on both PSN and the Xbox Live Marketplace.
- Any news regarding Frank Darabont’s participation in upcoming Godzilla flick has me chomping at the bit. io9 recently sat down with the famed screenwriter/director, who discussed his desire to recreate the infamous kaiju in the most gritty and terrifying way he possibly could. 2014 truly cannot come soon enough.
- Last, though certainly not least, comes the news that all eleven iterations of the Doctor will make a cameo in the show’s 50th anniversary special, which is set to debut later this year on the BBC. Even though at least three of the Doctor’s have passed away, the show’s writer, Steven Moffat, assures us that a great deal of smoke and mirrors will be used to give the appearance of their inclusion in this upcoming adventure. Oh, Mr. Moffat, what are you trying to do to us now?
Art by Stefan Hürlemann.
Feast your eyes on the latest trailer for the long-awaited continuation to the seventh season of Doctor Who.
Royal Mail reveals Doctor Who stamps
The collection marks the 50th anniversary of sci-fi show Doctor Who, with all 11 Doctors getting their own first class stamp.
Four of the show’s most notorious villains, including the Daleks and the Cybermen, star on the second class set.
The show first ran from 1963 to 1989. A successful revival returned it to Saturday night schedules in 2005.
Andrew Hammond of the Royal Mail said the commemorative selection “pay tribute to the brilliant actors that have played the Doctor over the years, as well as the adversaries that helped make the show so popular”
New Who: The Latest from Series Seven
Still reeling from the latest episode of Doctor Who? Take comfort in the newest set photos from the second half of series seven, featuring Matt Smith’s new duds, Jenna Louise-Coleman and, of course, the TARDIS. If that isn’t enough to dry your tears on, check out this behind the scenes clip of our protagonists in action and revel in the fact that there is still more Who yet to come.
The Doctor Returns
You’ve waited patiently, friends, and now the time has finally arrived. Series 7 lands tonight on BBC One, but for those of you unlucky enough to be caught outside of the United Kingdom, fear not. You can find live streams of the first episode here and hereabouts, which will be airing at 2:20pm EST/1:20pm PST respectively. If you’re feeling impatient, you can check out (or, rewatch, depending on your level of dedication) the Pond Life miniseries available exclusively on the BBC One website. Asylum of the Daleks premieres tonight at 7:20 GMT.
Matt Smith Carries Who Through 2014
Like it or not, the disaster-on-legs known as the Eleventh Doctor has decided to remain on board with Doctor Who for at least two more years. Rumors had been circulating recently regarding Matt Smith’s departure from the show, but the actor seems keen on keeping his role for as long as he can.
The condition that convinced him? Writer Steven Moffat’s pitch for the next season. Says Smith:
“His first episode sounds great. It hasn’t been written yet but the idea is as brilliant and as mental as you’d expect from Steven. So there’s a lot to look forward to.
When Steven was going to pitch the next season to me not long ago, he said, ‘Are you ready to cry?’”
Smith’s filming schedule seems to be booked solid as he is currently shooting the upcoming Christmas special which features the return of some fan favorites and the introduction of the Doctor’s latest companion, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman. When you throw in Doctor Who’s upcoming 50th anniversary movie set to air sometime late next year, it looks like we’ll be exploring the universe with the Eleventh Doctor for quite some time.
The Doctor Returns in Series 7 Trailer
Fans are still frothing over the awesome new image released yesterday by the BBC, which features The Eleventh Doctor carrying Amy Pond through an army of Daleks. Today we’re treated to a trailer from the latest series, which grants us a sneak peak at some of the other baddies that the Doctor will face in this upcoming season.
Check out the trailer here, which features giant “cross” robots, dinosaurs, and Cleopatra, as well as the return of the Weeping Angels and, of course, the Daleks.
Doctor Who series 7 premieres this fall on BBC America.
Tom Baker to Return to Doctor Who for 50th Anniversary Special
Get your jelly babies ready, friends. Tom Baker, better known as the 4th Doctor, is set to return to television next year for the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who.
Baker, who has been absent from the show since 1981, will unite with current Doctor Matt Smith in a special slated for release in 2013. Speculation regarding the plot of the episode is still little more than gossip, but rumors are circulating that the special could potentially be Matt Smith’s last dance as the Doctor.
There’s a good chance we could be hearing more news regarding the special sometime later this year, perhaps some time after the release of Series 7, but we’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed until then, folks.
New Photos from the Set of Doctor Who
Check out this behind the scenes footage from the latest season of Doctor Who. Featuring Matt Smith, Jenna-Louise Coleman, and Diana Rigg, the photos reveal key plot points from the episode, including a look at their Victorian garb.
Rumors are circulating that this episode is titled “The Crimson Horror”, but what we do know is that it was written by Mark Gatiss and will feature the Doctor’s newest companion getting kidnapped by a Mrs. Gillyflower, played by Diana Rigg.
Little else is known about the episode, save for this line which was overheard on the set: “There is something very odd about that factory—nobody who goes in seems to come back out. And there’s never any smoke.”
Sounds spooky. Keep checking back here for updates about the latest series, and click here if you’re looking for more behind the scenes photos from the ninth episode of series 7, which is due to premiere in 2013.
July 3rd, 2012
- In Doctor Who news, the latest casting for the seventh season has been revealed. Additionally, Douglas Adams’ unfinished episode “Shada”, is getting a novelisation by long-time writer of the show, Gareth Roberts. Roberts has written some of the more entertaining episodes of Doctor Who - I’m certain his adaptation of Adams’ work will be a perfect fit.
- Total Recall has a new trailer, featuring robots, explosions, and a three-breasted prostitute. Plus, Bryan Cranston is in it. What more can you ask for?
- The cast and crew of Firefly are reuniting at Comic-Con on July 13th, 2012. Show-runner Joss Whedon will take part in a panel with writer Tim Minear, as well as Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, Adam Baldwin, Sean Maher, and Michael Fairman, to celebrate the show’s ten-year anniversary. There are rumors circulating the web with fans wildly speculating about the show’s future now that Mr. Whedon has won the hearts of a larger audience. No word yet one way or the other, but you can bet there’ll be a frantic post from me if we get any kind of confirmation on the matter.
- Say hello to “Mi-Fi”: tiny Lego recreations of some of your favorite scenes from science fiction. Personal favorites? The cast of Futurama and this awesome Death Star trench. Featured above: Resistance Is Futile by halfbeak.
- Two episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation are being brought to theatres on July 23rd, to celebrate the launch of the show’s first season being brought to Blu-Ray, as well as it’s 25 year anniversary. The screenings of “Where No One Has Gone Before” and “Datalore” will be accompanied by a sneak peak at the special footage found on the Blu-Ray. You can watch the trailer and get your tickets here.
That’s the round-up for today. Just as a heads-up, posts will continue to be queued up through the next day or so, on account of my celebrating another year around the sun today. Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for a sci-fi/gaming giveaway we’ll be doing soon with The Red Herb. We think you guys are gonna like it, so stay tuned!
Image by John Berkey
