David Tennant to Play The Hulk?!?!?

Various sources, including the Los Angeles Times, are reporting that former Doctor Who actor David Tennant is in talks to play Bruce Banner, aka The Hulk, in The Avengers movie expected out in May 2012. If the reports are true, Tennant would be joining Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, and Scarlet Johansson as Black Widow.

This rumor about Tennant spread after Marvel Studios announced earlier in the week that Edward Norton, who portrayed the green giant in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, would not be reprising the role for the upcoming Joss Whedon-directed project. Marvel is expected to officially declare who will play The Hulk this summer at Comic-Con in San Diego.

Is it just me or does the idea of Tennant playing Bruce Banner / The Hulk sound equally as bad as Andrew Garfield playing Peter Parker / Spider-Man? A skinny pale British actor playing a muscular American superhero… a perfect match? I don’t think so!

Brit Actor Andrew Garfield Cast as Spider-Man!

Is it just me or is it difficult to imagine Peter Parker having tea and crumpets? This, however, might be what you see on the set of the next Spider-Man movie since Sony Pictures just announced British actor Andrew Garfield will portray the web slinger in the upcoming Spidey reboot. The 27-year-old, who was born in California and raised in the UK, is expected to start working on the film in December.

Spider-Man producer Avi Arad said: “We believe we have found the perfect choice to take on this role and lead us into the future.”

The announcement comes after Garfield’s predecessor, Tobey Maguire, along with Kirsten Dunst, and director Sam Raimi moved on from the Spider-Man franchise. The next installment will retell the story of Spider-Man’s beginnings, when ordinary Peter Parker was bitten by a radio-active spider and became a superhero. The upcoming film has not been given an official title yet, but is scheduled to hit theaters July 3^rd, 2012.

Garfield steps into the legendary red and blue tights as a relatively unknown talent. The dual British-American citizen earned his early acting credits on numerous UK telly series including Freezing, Doctor Who, and Red Riding. In 2008 Garfield won a BAFTA TV award for best actor resulting from his work in the drama Boy A. Subsequently, Garfield earned supporting roles in well-known Hollywood films including Lions for Lambs, The Other Boleyn Girl, and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus opposite the late Heath Ledger. The rising star can next be seen alongside Keira Knightley and Carey Mulligan in the dramatic thriller Never Let Me Go being released later this year.

Regarding the announcement, Marc Webb, who will direct Garfield in the next Spider-Man installment said: “Though his name may be new to many, those who know this young actor’s work understand his extraordinary talents. He has a rare combination of intelligence, wit, and humanity. Mark my words, you will love Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker.”

I am marking Marc’s words and hoping I will love a British actor’s interpretation of a beloved American super-hero! What’s next, Geri Halliwell as Mary Jane and Margaret Thatcher as Aunt May!?!?

Johnny Depp to play Doctor Who?!?!?

Johnny Depp is reportedly in negotiations to play the title character in a feature film adaptation of the popular BBC series Doctor Who. While nothing is confirmed, rumours of the television series getting a big-budget Hollywood makeover have been swirling ever since former DW head writer and executive producer Russell T. Davies moved to Los Angeles two years ago, leaving the show behind in England.

Davies, who is credited with reviving the legendary sci-fi series in 2005, has said: “Bringing the Who franchise to the theaters is a regeneration for the character beyond the usual one. A theatrical release has a greater range and can reach millions of more people than just the fans.”

Davies added: “There will be brand new concepts and the film will be just as adventurous, scary and humorous as the television programme. But none of us working the film will forget what makes the character great and interesting and the long-time fans will not be disappointed because yes, the [infamous characters called] Daleks make an appearance.”

Davies has not officially commented on who he would like to see play the theatrical version of the Time Lord and no other news about the project’s development has been made public. Meanwhile, the television series, starring Matt Smith and Karen Gillan, continues to thrive. Smith is the eleventh actor to portray Doctor Who on the small screen since 1963.

Most would agree that it’s about bloody time a Doctor Who feature film was made, but I’m not certain Depp is the best man to bring the Time Lord to the big screen. Considering his popularity, I can understand why the Pirates of the Caribbean actor would be considered for the role; however, Depp is American and everyone knows Doctor Who is a British show. There must be some other talented actor out there who is actually British to better personify this traditionally BRITISH character for the movie-going masses. Next thing you know, they’re going to cast a Brit to play an American superhero like Spider-Man or something crazy like that! Oh wait…