Why does River Song divide Doctor Who fans?

As if there wasn't enough Doctor Who anniversary fun this year, today we reach another milestone. It's five years since we first met Alex Kingston's lovelorn archaeologist River Song, and the phrases "Hello sweetie" and "Spoilers" became instant catchphrases. The show's official Twitter feed has declared it #RiverSongDay and there's a flurry of activity going down at the BBC's Doctor Who site.

River has been more divisive than almost any other character in Doctor Who history. Regular visitors to this blog will know that my love for her is unending. Her combination of lavish camp, gun-toting badassery and desolate heartbreak makes her my perfect woman.

Not everyone agrees. Some fans find River too smug and theatrical. Kingston has attracted criticism for vamping it up just a bit too much – something that was becoming a problem around the time of Let's Kill Hitler, and has, thankfully, been dialled down since. In addition to this, her story was at the centre of the divisive season six/32. The ongoing plot that would reveal her as Amy and Rory's daughter, kidnapped and brainwashed to kill our hero, was a bold and intricate development, but it gave rise to accusations that the show was becoming too complicated, which in turn became a stick haters used to gleefully beat the show.

But most of all, River's detractors are the people still clinging to the notion of a sexless Doctor, a noble hero above such human fripperies as love. That seems to me the most curious argument of all. At every stage, his reaction to every advance has been one of awkward confusion. The relationship was never tenable, and not just because she could drive the Tardis better than him. Around her, he became impish and petulant. "When one's in love with a lonely god," she told Amy last year, "one does one's best to hide the damage." And there is precedent for romantic involvements. Back in the old days, the Doctor was devastated when Jo Grant left in The Green Death, and the 10th Doctor's relationship with Rose became a romantic tragedy by the end. Yet even though River has been doing all the chasing, and the Doctor she "married" was actually the Tesselactor robot, she has been the most obvious conduit for the character's steady shift towards love.

In the stunning recent series finale, everything changed again. The River we met this time was post-Library, a manifestation of her consciousness brought to life through Vastra's "conference call". When faced with the question of why he never went back to the Library, the Doctor said: "I thought it would hurt too much." A trembling River replied: "I believe I would have coped." But that was not what he meant. "I thought it would hurt me," said the Doctor, "and I was right."

Quite apart from the big John Hurt revelation, that devastating send-off was something else completely new. The Doctor publicly declared love for a woman, and initiated the kiss himself. It's a development that has led many people to predict that this was Kingston's final appearance, their romance given its tragic end. The BBC, of course, will reveal nothing, and while there are plenty of ways to bring River back, at whatever point in her timeline, the poetry of it would suggest that scene could well have been her swansong.

So, this #RiverSongDay, let's take the chance to salute this precocious buccaneer. Let us know where you stand in The Great River Debate. Tell us your favourite moments. And what do you think really happened that night they met Jim The Fish?

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John Barrowman denies 50th anniversary return

John Barrowman’s taken to his official Twitter to personally deny rumours that he will be returning to Doctor Who for its 50th anniversary special later this year.

The Captain Jack actor has never hidden his hopes to reprise his role as part of the historic celebrations saying “it would be a shame” for his character to be excluded. He recently caused a stir confirming he is “discussing things” about his involvement, but with this latest development Jack’s fans seem to been taken all the way back to square one…

And so it seems we may never know the truth… Well, until November arrives, of course!

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'Doctor Who is knackering work': Steven Moffat admits he is "nearer the end than the beginning" of run as show boss

Star Matt Smith again refuses to commit to sci-fi classic long term, saying he takes job "moment by moment"

"I just take it a year at a time. I think the feeling of it being done for you is quite unambiguous when it suddenly arrives"

The two men at the centre of Doctor Who's success have now both admitted they are getting tired by the job.

In a new US interview show boss Steven Moffat said making the show is "knackering work" for him while Matt Smith did little to dispel rumours of his exit.

Entertainment Weekly said Moffat admitted that "statistically he is nearer the end than the beginning" of his tenure.

Moffat added: "I just take it a year at a time. I think the feeling of it being done for you is quite unambiguous when it suddenly arrives."

The American magazine had huge feature on Doctor Who which also insisted Jenna Louise Coleman will definitely be on the show in 2014.

But Matt Smith, who the Mirror previously reported could be leaving at Christmas, again refused to commit long term.

He said: "Who knows? It's one of those jobs that I take moment by moment."

Filming of Doctor Who takes up to ten months of the year, leaving little time for other projects. Moffat also writes and makes Sherlock, while Smith has plans to go to Hollywood and also wants to begin a career behind the camera directing TV.

Speaking last September, Smith admitted the show left him tired.

He said: "I couldn’t do this for seven years. I’d be run into the ground. I don’t think you can sustain it.

“And your life outside of it is ... I don’t know. I hope I don’t sound too ­pessimistic.

"It’s just I don’t think my body or my life or the people around me could sustain it.”

The show returns to BBC America next Saturday, and Smith also said the series had a "great alien-planet episode and a great horror-movie episode".

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'Doctor Who' fans to see whole of the Tardis in new series

'Doctor Who' will show the whole of the Tardis for the first time.

The hit BBC sci-fi drama will finally give fans a full glimpse inside the Time Lord's famous time travelling machine - which is notoriously bigger on the inside than it looks from the outside - in a new episode called 'Journey to the Centre of the Tardis'.

Series producer Steven Moffat said: "We've built the rest of the Tardis. The idea is in the title - we're going to journey to the centre of the Tardis. We've got some great visuals for that."

Viewers have previously only seen the Tardis' control room, which was given a revamp by production designer Michael Pickwoad for the Christmas special last year, and Michael is also responsible for the new interiors which will be featured in the episode.

In the past, the Time Lord, currently played by Matt Smith, has made reference to his time machine - which looks like an old police phone box from the outside - consisting of a swimming pool, toilet block and a walk-in wardrobe.

The episode is scheduled to air in late April as part of the new series, which will see the Doctor joined by new companion Clara, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman.

'Doctor Who' returns to BBC America on March 30.

Adventures in Space and Time: Set Photos

Included here are some on-set pictures from filming on the Mark Gatiss "genesis of Dr Who" drama, An Adventure In Space & Time. Pictured are: David Bradley as William Hartnell; Jamie Glover as William Russell; Jemma Powell as Jacqueline Hill and Claudia Grant as Carole Ann Ford. The film also stars Brian Cox, Jessica Raine and Reece Shearsmith as Patrick Troughton

 

Dr. Whooves is now an Official Toy

If you watch My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic carefully, you can see a character prancing around in the background with an hour glass cutie mark. He also has spikey, David Tennant-esque hair. He’s become known as Dr. Whooves, and fans love him – so much so that Funko is releasing a toy featuring the pony. Although I have seen three different versions the Green Ties as pictured above, one with a red tie and one that is somewhat transparent with a red tie and what looks like glitter inside him.....

At the moment its only available for Pre-Order as the official release date it set for August 2013, but you can order them through Amazon at roughly $20

Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Will Star All Previous Doctors

As the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who approaches the Galifreyan rumour mill is hotter than ever, and the latest juicy gossip is probably the most exciting yet.

According to The Birmingham Mail, fans of the long running BBC sci-fi series will get their biggest wish fulfilled when the show marks its half a century with a spectacular special episode, as EVERY single former incarnation of the titular hero will appear on screen. Yes, that means all the Doctors in one episode… including those who have died! Can you imagine? 11 Doctor Who’s in one night?

The Birmingham Mail states:

Show boss Steven Moffat is close to completing a script which will see the current Doctor, Matt Smith, needing the assistance of ALL his police box predecessors — even if three of them have died.

The half-century special, to be broadcast in November, will use studio trickery to resurrect the first three Doctors — William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee — in brief flashback scenes.

Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann have all signed up to record an anniversary audio adventure, and are keen to appear in the historic TV show, too.

Christopher Eccleston is said to be reconsidering an earlier decision not to take part, and David Tennant — a friend of Moffat — has hinted that he has been invited to reprise his role.

The final key to the special was Eccleston, who had previously said that he had no plans to return to the role but recently conceded he believed he “still had more to do with the character”. But companions such as Birmingham’s Arthur Darvill (Rory), Karen Gillan (Amy Pond), Billie Piper (Rose Tyler) and Freema Agyeman (Martha Jones) have all indicated that they are not involved.

There may, however, be a role for Alex Kingston, who plays the Doctor’s wife and who may be responsible for bringing all the previous incarnations together — against the Time Lord’s wishes.

How’s that for exciting stuff? Whether this actually happens or is simply another rumour plucked out of some wishful thinkers backside remains to be seen, but if the BBC can pull this off – and we think they can – then the 50th anniversary episode will be something very, very special indeed.

LEGAL TENDER COIN CELEBRATES DOCTOR WHO IN NEW ZEALAND

In an exciting collaboration, BBC Worldwide Australasia and New Zealand Mint are offering a legal tender coin, and a series of collectible coins as a celebration of Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary.

To celebrate the world’s longest running sci-fi series, New Zealand Mint will launch a one-ounce silver .999 coin which features an engraved picture of the TARDIS, as well as a unique 50th anniversary logo. The coin comes packaged in a 3D model replica of the TARDIS, which makes the iconic “vworp vworp” TARDIS sound when opened. The coins themselves are legal tender for $2 in the South Pacific Island nation Niue, making them a must-have item for fans to collect.

Later in the year New Zealand Mint will also release collectible coins featuring all 11 Doctors and further Doctor Who coin releases are also planned for 2014 and 2015.

Simon Harding, NZ Mint Chief Executive said: “I grew up watching Doctor Who as a child in New Zealand which, coincidentally, was the first country outside the UK to screen the show. It’s a great honour to now be asked to produce these coins to celebrate the 50th anniversary. Fans are going to really like what we’ve come up with.”

The coins will officially launch at the World Money Fair in Berlin on 1 February and are available for pre-order at the New Zealand Mint website (this link takes you to a site beyond our control) or via selected international coin distributors.

Doctor Who return date confirmed for the UK

So I can now confirm that Doctor Who returns to BBC One during the Easter weekend on Saturday, 30 March, 2013 as far as we know this will also be the return date for BBC America but this is as yet unconfirmed.

The Doctor is back in a fantastic adventure written by the show’s lead writer and executive producer, Steven Moffat. Matt Smith will appear alongside new companion Jenna-Louise Coleman in a series of adventures written by showrunner Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss, Luther creator Neil Cross and celebrated author Neil Gaiman who will be contributing a new episode featuring iconic enemy, the Cybermen.

Moffat has promised us that in terms of Doctor Who, 2013 will be a ‘tremendous’ year and that it would include a "modern urban thriller", a "base-under-siege story", an "absolutely mental" period drama and a "fanboy-pleasing" finale.

A one-off special - celebrating Doctor Who's 50th anniversary - is expected to follow the eight new episodes in November.

2013 Line-Up inc. 50th Anniversary

Schedule details on the the year ahead have been revealed at the 2013 London Toy Fair.

According to the BBC Worldwide banner, after Series 7 Part 2, there will be just one 60-minute anniversary special alongside the 90-minute docudrama in the Autumn. No Series 8 or further episodes. Curiously, there’s no mention of a Christmas special this year either.

The 2013 line-up:

• Series 7 Part 2 (8 Episodes / Spring 2013)
• 50th Anniversary Special (1 x 60 minutes / Autumn 2013)
• An Adventure in Space and Time (1 x 90 minutes / Autumn 2013)
• Doctor Who Revisited (11 x 25 minutes / throughout year)

Doctor Who Revisited refers to the BBC America premieres of classic stories. They are showing one story from each Doctor, beginning 27th January with Hartnell story the Aztecs.

Further activity throughout the year:

• Launch of Doctor Who website in January
• Doctor per month retail campaign on Amazon and Forbidden Planet
• Monthly BFI screenings and Q&A sesssions at BFI
• Royal Mail stamps in March
• Major presence at Comic Con, San Diego
• Partnering with the Science museum on co-branded products and activities

There is also a wealth of toys coming out (including Clara figures, Big Ben/London Underground invasion set, Ice Warrior, Weeping Angels, Union Jack Dalek, Dalek hoverpod, 2013 design Cybermen, iconic scenes collectors sets).

DOCTOR WHO Coming Soon Teaser 2013

The recent Christmas Day Special for Doctor Who marked a major turning point for the fantastical science-fiction series. After solving a Victorian-era crisis of man-eating snowmen, the Doctor decided to set aside his grief and track down another iteration of Clara Oswin Oswald (Jenna-Louise Coleman), a woman he has seen die twice in two different time periods.

Though the second half of this season of Doctor Who won’t air until April of 2013, the show has wasted no time in drumming up interest in the upcoming episodes. As such, BBC released a trailer for the back half of season 7 on Christmas Day.

Royal Mail To Celebrate 50 Years Of Doctor Who With Stamp Series

March 26th 2013 will see Royal Mail celebrate the 50th anniversary of the world’s longest running science fiction series in TV history - Doctor Who - with the launch of a special set of 11 stamps.
The stamps will feature each of the actors who have played the role of the Time Lord over the last 50 years. The stamp design will see the face of each Doctor appearing out of the iconic swirling screen idents, made famous by the opening credits of the TV show. The first two stamps are in black and white, as the first two incarnations of the Doctor were broadcast in monochrome.

Featuring on the stamps are the present Doctor, Matt Smith, as well as David Tennant, Christopher Eccleston, Paul McGann, Sylvester McCoy, Colin Baker, Peter Davison,Tom Baker, Jon Pertwee, Patrick Troughton and the First Doctor, William Hartnell.

In addition to the 11 stamps featuring the Doctors, a five stamp miniature sheet will also be available. In the center of the sheet is a stamp featuring the Doctor’s space and time travelling machine, the world famous Time and Relative Dimension in Space or the TARDIS as it is more commonly known. The remaining four stamps feature some of the Doctor’s most famous foes; a Dalek, a Cyberman, an Ood and a Weeping Angel.

Andrew Hammond, Managing Director, Stamps and Collectibles at Royal Mail, said:

“We are delighted to be able to celebrate this remarkable 50th anniversary. These stamps 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.”

Fiona Eastwood, Product Development Director, BBC Worldwide Consumer Products said:

“The Doctor Who stamps are the perfect way to mark and celebrate the 50th anniversary of this much-loved programme. The collection is really impressive, and I am sure they will delight all Doctor Who fans.“

The stamps launch on March 26th 2013, but fans can pre-order today by registering
at www.royalmail.com/doctorwho.

The NEW TARDIS interior

Ive been tryign to keep away fromt he spoilers, and such for this years Christmas Special but over the past couple of weeks the BBC have been teasing us with cropped imaged of the new TARDIS interior which is due to make its debut this Christmas Day.  Today they finally gave us the console and WOW, it is very different from the 2005 rebooted version and the newer Strampunked version introduced with Matt Smiths Doctor.... in fact in my opinion it looks like maybe they were paying a little homage to Classic Who... is this the start of the 50th Anniversary celebrations??

So in order they were originally released:

Actress Jenna-Louise Coleman talks 'Doctor Who'

By Aaron Sagers, Special to CNN
updated 11:52 AM EST, Tue December 18, 2012

Jenna-Louise Coleman plays Clara Oswin on "Doctor Who."

(CNN) -- Batman had Robin, Holmes had Watson, Han Solo had Chewbacca; iconic heroes have iconic sidekicks who keep their main man sane and humanized, while providing the audience with a proxy. But whereas the Lone Ranger only had one Tonto, "The Doctor" from 50-year-old British series "Doctor Who" goes through a lot of "Companions" -- so much so that new arrivals are met with fan anticipation and anxiety.

Enter Jenna-Louise Coleman, the 26-year-old actress who officially steps into the role of sci-fi sidekick on the popular BBC America show's Christmas Special. Known to American audiences from the April 2012 ABC miniseries "Titanic," and for a brief role in 2010's "Captain America: The First Avenger," she joins "Doctor Who" as Clara/Oswin, a companion to The Doctor, a mysterious, human-looking "Time Lord."

Played by Matt Smith, he journeys through "Time And Relative Dimension In Space" in his aptly-named ship, the TARDIS -- which looks like a blue British police call box on the outside, and is as iconographic a vehicle as the U.S.S. Enterprise, Millennium Falcon or DeLorean. Launched in 1963, change and evolution is part of the show's DNA. When a lead actor steps down, The Doctor essentially dies and is regenerated into a new body, but as the same character with a new actor portraying him. Smith is the 11th to do so. However, over five decades, more than the 30 companions have been unique characters with their own back-story. The Doctor invites them on adventures across the "time vortex" to face monsters and save worlds. As they retire or die, fresh ones are needed to keep the him company.

Although she is only the latest of companions, Coleman's debut comes during a unique moment during "Doctor Who." Gracing the covers of TV Guide and Entertainment Weekly as a fan favorite, garnering a cover mention in "Rolling Stone" as a best fall show, ranking as iTunes' most downloaded TV show in the U.S., packing the house at San Diego Comic-Con International, Coleman arrives as the global brand has become a bona fide hit in America -- and immediately following the death of popular predecessors Amy Pond and Rory (played by Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill), Smith's first companions.

Coleman played a surprise role in last September's season premiere -- as Oswin, a different character from Clara, but one connected to her -- and takes on full companion duties in "The Snowmen" Christmas episode, airing December 25 at 9 p.m. ET. A mysterious woman with a secret, Clara is a feisty, flirty foil to a grief-stricken, apathetic Doctor.

"We see him having just lost the Ponds, and he's not in a great place," said Smith. "He's lost his mojo a bit, and his sense of adventure, and I think this season certainly looks at him rediscovering that fire with Clara."

Smith added he is excited for fans to see the developing chemistry between him and Coleman, as well as the "real intrigue" behind the mystery of Clara's identity. And just as the nature of "Doctor Who" is change, Smith said fans will also embrace Coleman's Clara.

For her part, Jenna-Louise Coleman has already embraced her role as a companion. During a recent interview at BBC America's Manhattan offices, she offered insight about her character and her relationship with The Doctor, and weighed in on Clara's soufflé obsession, driving a spaceship, her Bond Girl moment and Christmas traditions.

Can you share a moment when you felt the enormity of stepping into this popular world?

You see "it" everywhere and you're used to it, like I was used to seeing Matt's face all over the place. But, when I was auditioning, being sat on the Tube and you see the posters, and it was always like he was pointing at me . ... (But) there's not very much time to analyze as you go. It is only now that I feel like I've just been playing with all my mates for the last couple of months, and then suddenly, I'm like, "but people are going to see this," you know?

What would you like to add to the legacy of the show as Oswin/Clara?

I like that it's not plain sailing. Like (executive producer Steven Moffat) was saying, it's not very interesting if you come in and it's like this friendship straight away. He's been very clever in creating a mystery, because, no matter what, it's always going to be hard to bring in somebody else into the show, when Matt, Karen and Arthur started out together, and you're used to seeing them on screen together.

How would you define your character's relationship with The Doctor?

I like that she holds her own. You know, The Doctor's this amazing man, and she's like, "You know, cool. I think you're amazing, but so am I." So, it's a nice double act.

Has Karen offered advice on joining the show?

She's been really supportive. ... She came to the screening in New York City with Matt, and when Oswin was on screen, she texted me saying it was great. (But) from interviews I've seen of Karen, she was saying she didn't want to, because she wanted me to have my own experience. I did want to be like, "What do I need to know? Tell me everything!" But she's been really cool about it.

There was never a realized romance between The Doctor and Karen's Amy, but your character gets flirtatious straight away, right?

It's been interesting how it's changed Matt's Doctor. There is a natural bounce between them, and a flirtation, and attraction. But, again, they've always got this friction because they're a bit magnetic and drawn to each other, but she can't quite figure him out. He's got loads of secrets and he's always looking at her, trying to figure her out.

Can you tell me about the first meeting between you and Matt?

He's with the same agency as me, so my agent said, "You're going to be reading with Matt and he's lovely. He'll take care of you." I walked into the room and he's just like, "Heeeeyyyyy," and gave me a big hug. He really helped me out in the audition. I've read with other actors in auditions before, but Matt really got involved so it was like we were both auditioning together almost.

This is an iconic franchise, but are there other big franchises you'd want to step into?

Totally! I'd love to be a Bond Girl. I did have my Bond Girl moment -- well, what I thought was going to be, but it was very much a "Doctor Who" version. Like being on the back of a motorbike, but then we've got the goggles and the hat, so it was like "Doctor Who's" take on James Bond.

Have you played with any cool sci-fi gadgets on the show, like the TARDIS?

There are certain parts of the TARDIS which I love. We've got these new kind-of rolly balls, which is my favorite. But my character got to drive the TARDIS at one point!

In the long list of "Doctor Who" monsters, what's your favorite?

The Weeping Angels. It's the concept (that they only move when you aren't looking at them). But there's one at the end of this season -- it's a new monster, and I'd say you have to wait and see that. That one is my favorite, so far.

One of the things we know about your character is her love of soufflé. Have you tried making one?

I had to be baking one in a scene recently. So I got the Google up and tried to figure out exactly how to do it, take it kind of really seriously to make sure I've got, like, the whisking right. But maybe that's what I should do over Christmas.

Is it odd returning to a "normal" world after living in The Doctor's?

"This" life is so exciting on a daily basis. Everything's so dramatic every day, and it's the end of the world every week. You're either running or there's a snow machine or rain machine, or you're in a harness and you're on wires. ... On an off day, I find that I get bored quickly, like, "Where's the Cybermen?"

The "Doctor Who Christmas Special" is something of a tradition -- do you have others you'll keep?

There are 13 of my family going to a cottage, so we'll be there watching. It's one of my grandmum's favorite shows, so it's big for her. But normally I get home from London and I haven't seen my family for a little while, and me and my mum always wrap the presents the night before with a glass of Bailey's. That's my favorite tradition at Christmastime.

What did your grandmother say when she learned you got this role?

I auditioned for Amy's best mate in it, and was pretty close to getting the part, and my grandma was absolutely devastated I didn't. So, we came back around, and I don't think she can believe it, actually. It is quite surreal for her, and she's quite looking forward to meeting Matt.

What do you anticipate that encounter being like?

My grandma's going to mess up his hair. She's going to be patting him and hugging him, and Matt's going to have really messy hair for the rest of the night.

[Source]

Doctor Who Alumni Team Up For British “Paintball Expendables”

Written on September 27, 2012 by Brendon Connelly in Film, Recent Updates, TV

Last week, I got Tony Lee chatting. Like really chatting. Chatting so much that I’ve come away with an hour of fast-paced rat-a-tat audio recorded on my phone.

Normally, after an interview, I transcribe the subject’s words verbatim, do the necessary formatting and post pretty much intact. I couldn’t possibly do that with Tony. Not if I still wanted to have fingerprints at the end of it.
Still, a lot of what he said has to remain secret for now. Exciting stuff. Stuff I’ll get to later, when the time is right.

But here’s what I can share now.
Thanks to his work writing the IDW comics series, Tony Lee has spent a lot of time at Doctor Who conventions, and therefore a lot of time in the company of other Doctor Who associates. Amongst them was Frazer Hines, the longest serving companion in the history of the show.
Lee said:

Frazer was Jamie in Doctor Who so obviously he does a lot of the conventions. We found ourselves, often, in the same airport lounges, and we just chatted, got to know each other. So we’ve known each other for a while now.
And while Frazer has done a lot on stage, and has been getting back into film lately, he was saying that he wanted to do some more film work. And he pointed out that there were a lot of other folk who had the same problem – all of the younger performers coming up and taking all of the roles. So I suggested “Why don’t you make your own film? Why don’t you come up with something that will get you all together?”

Hines agreed that this was a good idea, but he didn’t have a whole film in mind – just one detail. That he’d like to ride a horse.

So the specifics fell on Lee, and he drafted up the first version of what is being called, for now at least, The Mild Bunch. That title should tip you off that there’s something of a Western vibe at work here…
I spoke to Hines to clarify some of what Tony told me and he gave me the go ahead to name some of the other attached cast members.

Also from Doctor Who, there’s the sixth doctor, Colin Baker; from Only Fools and Horses – and Doctor Who story Seeds of Doom, there’s John Challis; and then there’s Vikki Michelle, formerly of Allo Allo.
And then there’s… some other names we’ll get to at a future date. When ink has dried.

Hines made the cast’s enthusiasm clear:

They all want to start shooting tomorrow! They’re ready to go. You’ve got four names there, with big fan bases, and we know the fans want to see them back in action again.

He’s not wrong.
I’ve had a breakdown of the whole plot, but I daren’t spoil it. In a nutshell, though, it’s about a group of 1981 paintball champions reuniting now, in 2012, when they’re supposed to be past their prime. And they stand up to some… disruptive younger elements. Yoots. Here’s the beginning of the big pitch:

The Magnificent Seven… paintball champs of he Middlesex and Hertfordshire Paint Ball League. These guys were the best, unbeaten, top of the league – until they broke up acrimoniously. Incredibly acrimoniously in fact, over twenty five years ago. After one single incident, they never met up as a group again.
Until now…
…and now the rusty gun must be holstered. The tin badge must be shined. But will our Magnificent Seven ride again?

There’s a wild west frontier town – in the UK. There’s a saloon. There’s a face off at high noon. And there’s an awful lot of paintball pellets being let loose in some clever, crafty action sequences.

It’s an actual proper action film, it’s a drama, and in part, it’s a character comedy. It’s about a lot more than nostalgia, too – Tony has taken care to actually dig into some thematic material about ageing, trans-generation clashes and the dangers of pride. It’s more Unforgiven and Big Chill than The Expendables in some ways, but there’s a lot of fun adventure stuff too, particularly once the first act is done setting everybody up.

Hines has been thinking of this project as a possible TV endeavour – a one-off comedy drama, and those are the possible co-producers he’s been speaking to; there is, as Tony was at great pains to point out, also real possibility of Mild Bunch being a feature film – and there have been talks with co-producers on that front also.

I spoke to Hines about a gentlemen of his seniority carrying off the action demands of this film:

Oh, I’m fine. You should see me playing Cricket – I slide and dive all over the place.

It’s going to go a little beyond a game of Cricket with Mild Bunch, of course.

More developments are due soon. Watch this space.

Source: http://www.bleedingcool.com

Additional Note: There is some more exciting news about this which I am currently not able to talk about but as soon as I get the green light you'll all be the first to know

Neil Gaiman Writing Cybermen Episode Also Starring Warwick Davis

Neil Gaiman is bringing the Cybermen back to "Doctor Who." The BBC revealed Gaiman will pen an episode airing in the spring of 2013 that will feature Doctor Who (Matt Smith) and his new companion (Jenna-Louise Coleman) coming face-to-face with the Cybermen.

Gaiman, who is known for works such as "Coraline" and "Sandman," previously wrote the "Doctor Who" episode titled "The Doctor's Wife." The Cybermen have been around since 1966, debuting opposite William Hartnell's Doctor.

The episode will feature guest stars Warwick Davis, Tamzin Outhwaite and Jason Watkins as "misfits on a mysterious planet."

"Cybermen were always the monsters that scared me the most! Not just because they were an awesome military force, but because sometimes they could be sleek and silver and right behind you without you even knowing," Steven Moffat, "Doctor Who" lead writer and executive producer, told BBC. "And with one of the all-time classic monsters returning, and a script from one of our finest novelists, it's no surprise we have attracted such stellar names as Tamzin, Jason and Warwick."

"Doctor Who" recently wrapped the first half of Season 7 with the Doctor saying goodbye to his companions Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill).

The show returns for a Christmas special before kicking off the rest of Season 7 in the spring of 2013.

"Smith hasn’t quit – just an over excitable headline.”

The British Tabloid The Daily Mirror will report in tomorrows publication that Matt Smith wants to quit, more speculation based upon the story I reported yesterday about how Smith said he doubted he would be the Doctor for much longer....

Full story here: "I can't play the Doctor for much longer"

As you can see the Daily Mirror front cover states ”I quit! Matt calls time on Time Lord, ” However the story is yet to be posted on the Mirror website.

The Beeb has already jumped on this story, denying all.

BBC Head of Communications, Sam Hodges said on Twitter: “Matt Smith hasn’t quit – just an over excitable headline.”

No doubt, they thought it would make big sales, being that the DW hype is at an all time high right now, with the series 7 premier starting tomorrow

He also added: “It’s taken from comments saying he won’t be doing it forever. He’ll be around for a good while yet.”

So nothing to worry about....

Brand New BBC America Trailer / Screenshots

Well you've probably already heard, due to the fact as soon as the news was announced social media exploded BUT BBC America has confirmed Asylum of the Daleks will air Saturday 1st September.

thanks to BBC America for the use of their promos