Category: Analysis and News

An in-depth look at Sci-Fi events and news.

Who’s Next in the Tardis? Companion Revealed…

Posted on by Gateway

On Friday 29th May 2009, the BBC announced that the fifth series’ companion will unfortunately not be Hannah Murray from Skins fame.

Instead, it’s the rather surprising choice of  relative unknown, and I hate to say that because it’s such a horrible term, Karen Gillan.

Karen Gillan

Some official snippets:

“Gillan said: "I am absolutely over the moon at being chosen to play the Doctor’s new companion.

The show is such a massive phenomenon that I can’t quite believe I am going to be a part of it.

"Matt Smith is an incredible actor and it is going to be so much fun to act alongside him – I just can’t wait to get started!"

Lead writer and Executive Producer, Steven Moffat, added: "We saw some amazing actresses for this part, but when Karen came through the door the game was up.

Funny, and clever, and gorgeous, and sexy.

Or Scottish, which is the quick way of saying it.

A generation of little girls will want to be her. And a generation of little boys will want them to be her too.""

BBC Official Press Release

What that article doesn’t say is that Karen has actually appeared in Doctor Who previously…. in series 4, no less. Don’t feel bad if you can’t remember her though… she appeared in “The Fires of Pompeii” (good episode, check my review ^_^)  as one of the Sybilline Sisterhood. A lot of makeup, and heavy headwear.

My thoughts?

She looks perfect. Not what I expected, and yet there’s something just quirky enough about how she looks to belong in Doctor Who.

It’s just another indication of how confident the BBC are in Doctor Who as a property and Steven Moffat as a programme producer. The emphasis here is on ability, not star names. I refuse to believe that Moffat would be casting these younger actors if he didn’t believe they were up to the job! He’s a self professed fan of the show. With some of the most critically acclaimed episodes of nuWho under his already ample belt.

All eyes are looking to him and fellow Producer Piers Wenger to keep the show going without RTD.  I’m feeling most especially confident they will do more than just fine.

The only thing I want now is to see Eleven in costume. C’mon cream coloured short style detective anorak coat…

Star Trek surpasses box office estimations

Posted on by Chris McQuillan

star-trek-uss-enterprise-full

Star Trek continues to impress, this time at the box office.

The studio had estimated the movie’s weekend box office haul would be in the region of $50 million, but turned out to be a whopping $76.5 million.

What’s more, the movie haul improved from $26.8 million on Friday to $27.4 million on Saturday, which, according to analysts, suggests the film will have “legs” and hopefully a long successful run.  It should certainly benefit from word of mouth.

Experts are now confident the movie should take in $200 million in the United States this summer, and Star Trek is a show which should benefit from a strong international market as well.  Abrams’ Trek could be on its way to becoming the most successful Star Trek of all time.