Who wants Depp to be The Doctor?

Flavour-of-the-decade actor Johnny Depp could take on the role of Doctor Who in a big screen spin-off of the popular TV series. Not if I've got any say in it, says blogger Andrew Owen. And as I have absolutely no say in it whatsoever that means it's probably a done deal.

The story was announced on the fantasy and science fiction website Tor.com. Apparently Russell T. Davies, who revived the series, is working on a US film version and Depp has signed up for title role.

From a personal point of view, I really hope this isn't true. While I have absolutely no problem with Depp as an actor (and he is a great actor), shouldn't the Doctor be played by a Brit? I know it's a well-worn argument, but it would be like casting an American to play 'Hank' Potter, or 'Jimmy' Bond. It's a question of the character.

Doctor Who is British. The last time the Americans got their hands on it we ended up with poor old Paul McGann poncing about in a wig and turning into the George Lazenby of Timelords.

If the story is true then its a case of pound/dollar signs being put ahead of casting. Matt Smith is a fantastic Doctor, as was David Tennant and Christopher Eccleston, but as they're not exactly box office in the US I don't suppose our movie mogul chums would be keen to risk one of them in a film costing millions to make. It's their loss.

Oh, hang on a minute, it's not their loss. It'll be ours.