"Doctor Who" is a British institution, a franchise that's lasted more than 50 years. It's taken on enormous popularity outside the U.K. over the last few years, thanks to the BBC's updated revival with more modern storytelling sensibilities. Americans in particular have taken a fancy to the Doctor, thanks to the stellar work of modern Doctors Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant and Matt Smith.
But what if "Doctor Who" wasn't a British TV show at all? What if it had been created in the United States, and starred American actors as the 12 (and counting) Doctors? YouTube user Sam Vestey imagines exactly that in this fan-made video (embedded below) celebrating the show's 50th anniversary in a world where "Doctor Who" was an American invention.
In making the video, Vestey had to comb through the historic roster of American actors, looking for suitable counterparts to the beloved British actors who've filled the role. All of his choices are actors you'll recognize, even though "Doctor Who" usually casts lesser-known faces. While a few of Vestey's choices may leave you scratching your head, most of them are rather inspired. The user also selected film and TV clips from the varied careers of his 12 choices (13 if you count the War Doctor) that will help you see these actors' potential as the Doctor.
His choices include:
1.) Burgess Meredith in William Hartnell's role as the wise but aloof First Doctor
2.) Dick van Dyke as Patrick Troughton's unapologetically goofy Second Doctor
3.) Vincent Price as the dashing, sophisticated Third Doctor, aka Jon Pertwee
4.) Gene Wilder in the Tom Baker guise of the deliciously odd but clever Fourth Doctor
5.) Kyle MacLachlan as Peter Davison's youthful Fifth Doctor
6.) Christopher Walken as the brash, overbearing Sixth Doctor originally played by Colin Baker
7.) Tony Shalhoub as Sylvester McCoy's whimsical but darker-edged Seventh Doctor
8.) Jeff Goldblum as the romantic, eccentric Eighth Doctor, played by Paul McGann
9.) Harrison Ford as the elderly, secret "War Doctor" played by John Hurt
10.) Nicolas Cage as Christopher Eccleston's intense, dangerous Ninth Doctor
11.) Sam Rockwell as David Tennant's cheeky but regret-filled Tenth Doctor
12.) Donald Glover as Matt Smith's lovably awkward Eleventh Doctor
13.) Bryan Cranston in the newly-minted Twelfth Doctor to be played by Peter Capaldi
All fine actors, but critically speaking, Nicolas Cage is particularly hard to swallow as the Doctor, though he does seem an understandable counterpoint to Eccleston. Sam Vestey's smartest and best selections come at the beginning of the list. Burgess Meredith would be perfect, while Dick van Dyke is best known for his goofy, comedic roles, though he's shown on occasion that he can let some darkness seep through.
Vincent Price is a no-brainer, but the best of the bunch has to be the incomparable Gene Wilder. Wilder so effortlessly embodies that disarming eccentricity that hides the fact that he's always one step ahead of everyone else, and he's also shown genuine heart in many roles.
Also, Bryan Cranston would make a terrific Twelfth Doctor, who by all accounts is a darker, more serious incarnation.
Peter Capaldi's debut as the Twelfth Doctor in Season 8 premieres August 23, 2014.
