Disney Money Already Ruining Doctor Who
Whovians worry Doctor Who could undergo Disneyfication, similar to what has happened to Marvel and Star Wars.
It was recently announced that starting in the fall of 2023 Doctor Who will be streaming exclusively on Disney Plus internationally. Additionally, the streaming service will reportedly increase the sci-fi show's per-episode budget from £1-3 million to around £10 million which will definitely lead to more ambitious storylines and improved special effects.
While being excited about the benefits Doctor Who will get from the BBC's deal with Disney Plus, fans wonder whether they should be concerned about how the deal might impact the overall direction of the beloved show.
The news that Disney is partnering with the BBC to help fund the production of Doctor Who reminded many Whovians about the company's involvement with other franchises, such as Marvel and Star Wars.
Despite assurances that Disney would not interfere with creative decisions, the company's internal politics have been known to negatively impact these franchises.
Upon acquiring Lucasfilm, Disney pressured the production of a new trilogy for cinemas, which was ultimately poorly received by millions of dedicated fans. Similarly, while Disney has claimed to not interfere with the creative process at Marvel Studios, they have been known to exert their influence in other ways, leading to a widely-discussed decline in the quality of Marvel projects.
This tendency makes Doctor Who fans uncomfortable about the news of the partnership between the BBC and Disney. They fear Disney will eventually want Doctor Who to be a worthwhile investment, which can cause some level of friction.
Some Whovians worry that Disney may seek to exert more control over the show in the future and, given the financial resources at their disposal, may have an advantage in negotiations.
Besides, fans are concerned about the reports that Russell T Davies is coming back with plans to expand the Whoniverse with a number of Disney-style spin-offs. Among other themes, the showrunner is reportedly looking into a show revolving around the Doctor's canon enemies, Daleks, Cybermen, Weeping Angels, Sea Devils, and others.
Though Whovians are excited about the future of the beloved show with the larger budget and David Tennant and Russell T Davies coming back, the majority would rather take some time to ensure that the showrunner's return results in the improvement of the main show's quality before starting rolling out endless spin-offs. After all, such a policy did no good to other big franchises.