Peter Jackson really wants to direct an episode of "Doctor Who." So much so that he's willing to do it for free.
As you might guess, the "Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" director is a huge fan of Britain's 2,000-year-old Time Lord. He's already gone on record, offering to direct an episode for free — as long as the producers would be willing to part with one of the Dalek props used on the show. Jackson collects Daleks, along with loads of other souvenirs from the show.
According to magazine SFX, "Doctor Who" showrunner Steven Moffat believes Jackson will definitely make it happen, sooner or later. The only thing that's prevented him from signing up to direct an episode thus far is how busy he's been in New Zealand filming and editing "The Hobbit" trilogy.
"He's still incredibly busy on 'The Hobbit,'" Moffat told SFX. "I've spoken to him face to face, and he would like to do one... 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! [But] I think it will probably happen at some point."
Moffat also mentioned that Jackson is such a big fan of "Doctor Who" that he frequently emails Moffat compliments and comments after a new episode airs. Moffat hopes that Jackson will be able to work it out soon, but isn't so sure about the practicality of filming an episode of the show on location in New Zealand. He says it'd be much easier if Jackson flew to the show's existing sets in England.
Last December, Peter Jackson told Digital Spy that he's had discussions about directing on "Doctor Who" that are "actually kind of serious."
"I would be very happy to," Jackson said. "I'd love to try my hand at television, because I've never had the discipline of having to shoot for those impossibly tiny schedules. I think I could do it okay now."
Jackson also joked, regarding the filming arrangements, that he once suggested to Moffat that he write a story set in New Zealand where the popular All Blacks rugby team play against the Daleks.
Season 8 of "Doctor Who" is set to premiere August 23, 2014. The extra-long episode, titled "Deep Breath," marks the proper debut of the 12th Doctor played by Peter Capaldi. Peter Jackson is currently working on completing the final film in his trilogy, "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies," for its December 17, 2014 release date.
