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Former 'Doctor Who' Showrunner Says the BBC 'Can't Afford' the Series

Zak Penn confirms Ready Player 2 is still in development. Two new horror movies tackle tennis and titanoboas. The Jimmy Olsen/Gorilla Grodd show casts someone named “Sandra”— and it isn’t Lady Shiva. Also, don’t expect to learn who’s playing the next James Bond before “the end of the year,” according to producer Amy Pascal. If at first you don’t succeed, Mr. Kidd… try, try again, Mr. Wint! It’s Morning Spoilers! During a recent interview with Deadline, producer Amy Pascal stated it’s a “good bet” the next actor to play James Bond will be announced sometime around “the end of the year.” I would say the end of the year is a good bet. We are being really, really methodical. Having worked with Barbara Broccoli at the studio, I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow. And it’s got to be something really different that is a stirring and exciting and different. Speaking with The Direct, writer Zak Penn answered “I am working on it” when asked if Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player Two was still in development. Variety reports Shudder has acquired the U.S. rights to Bloody Tennis, a new “sports-horror” movie from director Nikias Chryssos. Starring Guldberg Kampp, Helena Zengel, Tracy Gotoas

2
updates in timeline
2
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Aug 19, 2026
latest update

Aug 5, 2026 → Aug 19, 2026

LATEST DEVELOPMENT
Aug 19, 2026·PolygonT2 · Outlet report
The Best Doctor Returns to 'Doctor Who' for a New Adventure - but There's a Catch

A few days ago, I said that it would be lovely if the BBC, Whovians, and any future showrunner would lay off poor David Tennant in a desperate bid to save Doctor Who from permanent cancellation. I still stand by that. Still, the universe…

Read original at Polygon →
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August 2026

2 updates
Aug 19, 2026·PolygonT2 · Outlet reportLATEST
The Best Doctor Returns to 'Doctor Who' for a New Adventure - but There's a Catch

A few days ago, I said that it would be lovely if the BBC, Whovians, and any future showrunner would lay off poor David Tennant in a desperate bid to save Doctor Who from permanent cancellation. I still stand by that.…

Read original at Polygon →
Aug 5, 2026·GizmodoT2 · Outlet reportOPENING
Former 'Doctor Who' Showrunner Says the BBC 'Can't Afford' the Series

Zak Penn confirms Ready Player 2 is still in development. Two new horror movies tackle tennis and titanoboas. The Jimmy Olsen/Gorilla Grodd show casts someone named “Sandra”— and it isn’t Lady Shiva. Also, don’t expect…

Read original at Gizmodo →

Sources & evidence (2)

What this story stands on. Tier 0 is a primary record or the subject's own words; higher tiers must be attributed, never stated as bare fact.

T2 · Outlet report× 2
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Gizmodo 1Polygon 1
STRONGEST EVIDENCE
T2 · Outlet reportPolygonAug 19, 2026

A few days ago, I said that it would be lovely if the BBC, Whovians, and any future showrunner would lay off poor David Tennant in a desperate bid to save Doctor Who from permanent cancellation. I still stand by that. Still, the universe…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportGizmodoAug 5, 2026

Zak Penn confirms Ready Player 2 is still in development. Two new horror movies tackle tennis and titanoboas. The Jimmy Olsen/Gorilla Grodd show casts someone named “Sandra”— and it isn’t Lady Shiva. Also, don’t expect to learn who’s…

View source →

Tier key: T0 = Primary source · T1 = Wire · T2 = Outlet report · T3 = Commentary

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