UK's Daily Mirror have published an article claiming that Russell T Davies is keen to cast Hugh Grant as the next Doctor Who.

Such rumours fly thick and fast in the news stream and we generally regard them as appalling clickbait, but today we gave them a nibble.

A "TV insider" is cited as their source.

Not even a supposed source from the BBC or a Davies associate.

Yeah. This one looks solid.

Apart from the easy title opportunity - which we do appreciate - we feel like this vision might have merit regardless of where it originated.

The vision is that the show can be a Marvel-like product, building franchises around the Doctor and other key characters in his many lives.

Davies' return to the helm may be enough to draw back former Whovians after a fall in viewer numbers.

But should that be the goalpost?

In the interim high production quality genre films and television have really taken off.

Marvel have enjoyed great success in cinemas and theirs is the world's current highest grossing film franchise.

Second, third and fourth are also genre - Star Wars, Spider-Man and the UK's own Harry Potter.

The BBC wouldn't have the budget to go full Game of Thrones with Doctor Who but in September it was announced that Bad Wolf would co-produce the upcoming series with the BBC.

In October Sony - makers of Spider-Man - announced plans to buy a controlling share in Bad Wolf, and acquired them in December.

Sony certainly have the budget but will it be splashed on Doctor Who?

Only time will tell.

[ Main Image: The Undoing, Hugh Grant. Credit: HBO via IMDb.com. ]

References

Pryer, Emma (March 19, 2022). Exclusive: Hugh Grant tipped to be new Doctor Who in 'Marvel-style makeover' for hit show. Daily Mirror.

Wikipedia. Bad Wolf (production company). (viewed March 22, 2022)

Wikipedia. List of highest-grossing films. (viewed March 22, 2022)