Returned Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies has revealed he was approached by Marvel to head up a mystery Britain-based show. “I got asked to showrun a British Marvel show, but [they said] ‘We can’t tell you what it is,'” Davies revealed to SFX magazine. “To this day, I watch them and I can’t work out which show that was going to be. Obviously planning to make a British Marvel show that I haven’t seen. Has that happened?”
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Russell T. Davies is a Welsh television producer and screenwriter, born on April 27, 1963, in Swansea, Wales. He is best known globally for his work in revitalizing the long-running British science fiction series Doctor Who in 2005. Davies served as the show’s head writer and executive producer until 2009. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in bringing the iconic series back to popularity, introducing a new generation of viewers to the adventures of the Gallifreyan Time Lord.
Is Russell T. Davies a Good Fit for the MCU?
Under Russell T. Davies’ leadership, Doctor Who underwent a successful revival, featuring Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, and Matt Smith as the Doctor. The show’s storytelling, character development, and production values received widespread acclaim, demonstrating his abilities to successful showrunner for a long-running science fiction franchise.
Before his involvement with Doctor Who, Russell T. Davies had a successful career in television. He created and wrote several acclaimed television series, including Queer as Folk, which focused on the lives of gay men in Manchester. Davies is known for his bold and innovative storytelling, often addressing social issues and pushing boundaries in his work.
In addition to his contributions to Doctor Who and Queer as Folk, Russell T Davies has been involved in various other television projects. His influence on British television has earned him recognition and awards for his outstanding contributions to the industry. It would have been fascinating to see his take on a Marvel property.
What Property Did Marvel Studios Have Davies in Mind For?
While Marvel Studios is an American company, there are multiple British characters in the Marvel Universe who might have been the stars of RTD’s show. While it’s possible he was being courted for Moon Knight, which was largely set in London, there are some other properties he might have taken hold of, and it’s interesting to speculate on what it might have been. Here are some British-based Marvel characters and properties that Marvel an Disney might have had him in mind for:
1. Captain Britain (Brian Braddock)
Brian Braddock is a British superhero who first appeared in Captain Britain #1 in 1976. He gains his powers through the legendary magical artifact known as the Amulet of Right and the sword known as the Sword of Might. Captain Britain is often associated with the superhero team Excalibur and has been a member of various superhero groups in the Marvel Universe.
3. Union Jack
The Union Jack persona has been used by several characters in Marvel Comics. The most well-known is probably James Montgomery Falsworth, who fought as Union Jack during World War II. Other characters, such as Brian Falsworth and Joey Chapman, have also taken up the mantle. Interestingly enough, Olivia Colman portrayed the role of MI6 agent Sonya Falsworth during the MCU TV miniseries, Secret Invasion. She’s likely related to the MCU’s iteration of James Montgomery Falsworth, a member of the Howling Commandos squad, who appeared throughout various MCU films and shows.
4. Black Knight (Dane Whitman)
While the original Black Knight, Sir Percy of Scandia, was not British, Dane Whitman, who took up the mantle later, is. Dane Whitman is a modern-day superhero who wields the mystical Ebony Blade. He has been a member of superhero teams like the Avengers.
5. Excalibur (Team)
Excalibur is a British superhero team often associated with Captain Britain. The team has had various members over the years, including Nightcrawler, Kitty Pryde, Rachel Summers, and Meggan.
Potential Roadblocks for the Project
It looks unlikely. On September 24, 2021, the BBC revealed that Russell T. Davies would return as the showrunner for Doctor Who, taking over from Chris Chibnall for the series’ 60th-anniversary celebrations in 2023 and beyond. Davies will collaborate with the Bad Wolf production company, co-founded by Julie Gardner and Jane Tranter.
In a May 2022 announcement, the BBC disclosed that Davies had chosen Ncuti Gatwa, a Rwandan–Scottish actor, for the role of The Fifteenth Doctor, marking a historic moment as Gatwa became the first black actor to portray the series’ central character. Subsequently, the BBC shared that David Tennant and Catherine Tate would reprise their iconic roles as the Doctor and Donna Noble in the show’s 2023 specials, which began airing on Nov. 25, 2023.
So with Davies returning to Doctor Who, there appeared little time for him to take on a Marvel Studios project. While it’s unknown which show Marvel wanted him to work on, it’s fun to imagine which project it might have been. And who knows? Perhaps Davies’ schedule might change later on, and he will be available to work on something else for Marvel.
RELATED: Doctor Who Stars David Tennant and Matt Smith May Come Back For The 60th Anniversary Special
The latest Doctor Who 60th Anniversary specials starring David Tennant are currently airing on Disney+. The next special debuts on December 2, and the final one premieres on the streamer on December 9. Disney+ is now the new streaming and broadcast home of Doctor Who outside of the UK and Ireland, which will continue for the upcoming series starring Gatwa, with Russell T. Davies as showrunner. So, who knows? Maybe there will be another opportunity for Davies and Marvel to work together down the line.
What property do you think Russell T. Davies could’ve been in line for? Do you think this was a missed opportunity for Marvel Studios? Let us know in the comments or on our social media.
SOURCE: SFX Magazine, Gamesradar
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