http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-w...-news-round-up
Is the 50th anniversary special going to be simulcast around the world? Is the Doctor returning to Trenzalore? Who's returning for series 8?
Today's plucked-out-of-nowhere Doctor Who story from The Sun is that the fiftieth anniversary special will be simulcast around the globe "to 200 countries", a particular geographic feat seeing as most are in agreement that the world's country tally tops out at 196. The reason for the simultaneous broadcast (there, that's gentler on the ears than that ugly portmanteau isn't it?) according to the tabloid, is to avoid spoilers leaking online. Salt. Pinch. Etc.
News from the horse's mouth comes via Digital Spy's Comic-Con interview with Steven Moffat, in which the Doctor Who showrunner confirmed a number of series eight tidbits, including the return of Vastra, Jenny and Strax, and that scripts are already coming in from writers for the new series, for which he already knows the ending.
In the four-and-a-half minute chat, Steven Moffat admitted that introducing a new Doctor with an existing companion and established group both in front and behind the camera was much, much easier than the blank slate of The Eleventh Hour. He also said, as he continues to say, that the search for the Twelfth Doctor has barely begun, and that older Doctors are never ruled out as an option. Finally, Moffat spoke very warmly of the fan-made fiftieth anniversary trailer, calling it a superb piece of work, and nominating its creators as future Doctor Who makers. Kind and well-deserved words indeed.
Matt Smith, in a lively, fun interview with Vulture that involved biscuit theft and neon socks, has dropped a hint about a possible return to Trenzalore for his Doctor's last bow. Asked whether or not he was ever confused by Doctor Who's storylines, Smith replied,
"No, because it’s my job to make sense of it and to make sense of it for you. Hey, look, I guess some people find the writing and the storytelling complicated sometimes, but I say to that, “Isn’t that better than it being really easy?” Isn’t it better if you’re like, “Okay, I just saw that — what did I just see?” Eventually Steve peppers it back — you think now we’re going toward the Doctor’s final hour, which is toward Trenzalore. Steven mentioned that in season five. Season five! The Silence was mentioned! He peppers this brilliant storytelling all the way through, and for my money that’s a much more interesting way to write. Aren’t all the layers what we fans of sci-fi want? I’m like, Cool, throw it at me. Is it complicated? Yes. Are we going back in time? Yes. Are we going forward in time? Yes. Are we meeting a character we’ve met in the future? Yes. Is she my wife? Yes."
Lastly but not least, er, -ly, the Radio Times have it from a source that not only will the new Doctor announcement be coming our way in August, but that the fiftieth anniversary special will feature "one of the five former Doctors who wielded the Sonic Screwdriver before the Eccleston reboot". Bleeding Cool, whose sources are usually a very safe bet, reported this week that Paul McGann had been filming something, though they know not what, Doctor Who-related. Could those two things be related? Fingers on chins, people, and commence stroking... now!