Doctor who
"The Hobbit" director Peter Jackson (not pictured) wants to direct "Doctor Who," but he can't fit it into his schedule. Find out which other famous directors we want to see direct the British show. Adrian Rogers/BBC Worldwide

“Doctor Who” has worked with some famous names before. From Michael Gambon to Kylie Minogue, plenty of illustrious figures have been in front of the camera, but what about behind the scenes? Peter Jackson recently admitted that he wanted to direct the British show.

"He’s still incredibly busy on 'The Hobbit,'" showrunner Steven Moffat told SFX recently. "I’ve spoken to him face-to-face, and he would like to do one. He accepts that there’s no money and that there’s no time, and it would have to be when he’s available – and I don’t think he’s even been available enough to answer our emails of late! I think it will probably happen at some point.”

Jackson himself has been vocal about wanting to do the show. “They don’t even have to pay me,” Jackson told Entertainment Weekly last year. “But I have got my eye on one of those nice new gold-colored Daleks.”

So if “The Hobbit” director doesn’t have time, what other famous directors should the show bring in? Check out our dream list:

Joss Whedon: Whedon is obviously doing huge action movies like “Avengers: Age of Ultron” right now, but he knows how to work with a small, campy show. Whedon’s history with “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Angel” and “Firefly” have definitely prepared him to work on a show like “Doctor Who.” Plus, Whedon seems to be a fan. Season 6 of “Buffy” was filled with references to “Who” from the Trio, the nerdy villains who failed to take down the slayer.

James Gunn: Gunn expertly handled “Guardians of the Galaxy,” but he isn’t a choice just because the movie is set in space. “Guardians” was funny, exciting and didn’t take itself too seriously. That’s exactly how “Doctor Who” works. It’s a balance of drama, comedy and ridiculousness.

Steven Spielberg: Okay, Spielberg is the obvious choice any time there is a big science fiction project, but the guy loves “Doctor Who.” Spielberg’s new show “Extant” is even inspired by the British import. According to BBC America, Spielberg even told the Sun that he was a huge fan of the show. “Steven [Moffat] wrote one of my favorite TV shows, which is ‘Doctor Who,’” he said. The director hired the “Doctor Who” showrunner to help write the 2011 animated feature “The Adventures of Tintin” because of Moffat’s work on “Who.”

Realistically, these guys are just as busy as Peter Jackson, but it’s fun to dream.

“Doctor Who” returns Aug. 23. at 8 p.m. EDT on BBC America. Who are your dream directors for “Doctor Who”? Sound off in the comments section below!

RELATED STORIES