Peter Jackson directing Doctor Who next season all but confirmed.

[The Romulan Republic]

http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/201 ... doctor-who

Peter Jackson directing Doctor Who -- a match made in sci-fi fan heaven? Such a dream team looks set to become reality for the next season of the BBC hit, with Jackson not-so-subtly teasing his involvement in the show.

In a wry video called "Home Invasion" posted to his Facebook page, Jackson is distracted from polishing his numerous Oscars by a barrage of emails from Who showrunner Steven Moffat, begging him to direct an episode. Not convinced, Jackson and his daughter Katie are visited by The Doctor himself, with Peter Capaldi delivering the contract -- in character.

Bonus points for this delightfully cheesy exchange between Jackson and Capaldi, too:

"Are you Fed-Ex?"
"I'm the Doctor."
"Who?"
"...Correct."

Peter Jackson / Doctor Who © BBC
The clip also pokes fun at Doctor Who's rapid production schedule, with Moffat's email asking Jackson to come to Cardiff and make an episode in 12 days, rather than spending six months on an elaborate New Zealand shoot.

Nothing was directly said of what Jackson's episode might involve, but the appearance of a Dalek rolling though his living room could be a hint that he'll focus on the Doctor's greatest enemies.

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It's worth noting, of course, that the BBC has confirmed nothing yet. However, Jackson -- director of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, and earlier, schlockier fan-favourite movies such as Braindead and The Frighteners -- is geek royalty, and his directing an episode would be welcomed by the show's audience. And getting both a Dalek and Peter Capaldi over to Jackson's house for a prank would be, arguably, a touch excessive.

The current season of Doctor Who ends this Saturday, with the twelfth episode, Hell Bent airing on BBC One at 8:00pm. The extra-length episode -- 65 minutes, up from the usual 50 -- sees the Doctor at war with his own people, the Time Lords of Gallifrey, after tragically losing his companion, Clara Oswald. Needless to say, the finale is shaping up to be rather ominous.


The BBC has renewed the series for a tenth season (counting since the show was renewed with Christopher Eccleston as the Ninth Doctor in 2005) to air in 2016, with Capaldi returning as The Doctor. Moffat has also debunked rumours of a truncated run, confirming that it will be a full season of 12 episodes and a Chrismas special. Where Jackson's directorial role might fit remains unrevealed.

Well well. Looks like its finally happening.

Jackson kind of blew it with the Hobbit and King Kong, making ridiculously bloated, melodramatic, drawn-out, and over the top films. Perhaps he'll be better when forced to work within the time and financial constraints of television.

[Khaat]

So put Peter Jackson on a plane to a set in Cardiff or put Peter Capadi on a plane and drop a line to the local NZ Dalek-builders group (probably a few in Weta) and shoot in PJ's living room....
I don't see "excessive" anywhere in this.

[Iroscato]

Kind of worried as 'ridiculously bloated, melodramatic, drawn-out and over the top' could all easily apply to Moffat at his worst. This is nothing if not an interesting development, however.

[Q99]

Huh. I don't know what to think of this.

The question of how he works in constraints is a good one, it may stop some of his worst habits.

[jwl]

So put Peter Jackson on a plane to a set in Cardiff or put Peter Capadi on a plane and drop a line to the local NZ Dalek-builders group (probably a few in Weta) and shoot in PJ's living room....
I don't see "excessive" anywhere in this.

Capaldi was going to New Zealand anyway: http://www.bbcnewzealand.com/doctor-who-nz/

[Tribble]

It seems more like he will be directing an episode, but not the entire season.

[The Romulan Republic]

Well, I wouldn't expect them to have one man direct an entire season. Apologies if the title was confusing. I meant that he will be directing an episode next season.

See thing thing is, Jackson is, or was, a capable director. I liked his work on Lord of the Rings, for the most part. Its just that he got carried away with himself, especially after LotR, and no one reigned him in.

Chimaera, that's a good point. Moffat and Jackson could be a bad mix, because both, of late, have essentially behaved like bad fanfic writers with a budget.

Honestly, I pretty much expect good direction (and good acting, because Capaldi) and a shit story.

But if nothing else, it'll probably be some good publicity for Doctor Who, maybe even draw in a few new fans. I mean, Jackson is not only a huge name who's directed upwards of half a dozen major big budget films, he's also an Academy Award winning director.

Of course, they could have an Academy Award winning director if they just asked Capaldi to direct an episode.

[Eternal_Freedom]

Capaldi won an Academy Award for directing? I did not know this.

[The Romulan Republic]

According to IMDB, he won in 1995 for Best Short Film, Live Action for Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life, which he wrote and directed.

[Eternal_Freedom]

Well damn, I knew he was good

[jwl]

Yup. It was a short film. He wrote it as well.

[The Romulan Republic]

I actually would like them to talk to Capaldi about directing if they do another episode where the Doctor doesn't get a lot of screen time (like "Blink"). Maybe he'd refuse, but it couldn't hurt to ask.

Edit: I know Star Trek, for example, often had cast members direct an episode or even a film (Nimoy directed some of the original series films, and Frakes directed First Contact, as I recall). Even if they hadn't actually won an Oscar for directing.

[jwl]

I think Peter Capaldi effectively did co-direct heaven sent. He helps decide how he plays his part, an in heaven sent he is the only character.

[The Romulan Republic]

Well, not quite the only character, but he does get far more screen time than anyone else.