Following Matt Smith's youthful Doctor Who lead, Peter Capaldi proved to be a very different Doctor (but more in line with the show's earlier iterations of the Time Lord). Of course, fans quickly fell in love with the Scottish actor's interpretation of the hero and they remain eager to see his Twelfth Doctor back in the Tardis.
Recently, David Tennant made his surprise return to the role for the show's 60th anniversary. By the time all was said and done, a bi-generation meant the Fourteenth and Fifteen Doctors - with the latter played by franchise newcomer Ncuti Gatwa - now co-exist in the universe at the same time...each with their own Tardis!
It was an unprecedented move and, during a recent interview with Forbes (via SFFGazette.com), Capaldi was asked for his thoughts on Tennant's recent return and the franchise's future with Gatwa's Doctor.
"I enjoyed it. I thought it was great and a lot of fun," he said of the recent specials. "It was wonderful, exuberant, and full of life, drama, and monsters. David was wonderful, and Catherine Tate, of course. It's Doctor Who, you know, it's a gas and a good thing in the world."
"It's a nice, fun, exciting thing, and I look forward to the rest of the specials and Ncuti Gatwa coming along. I've met him, and he's very inspiring and charming."
As for whether he'd be open to reprising the role, Capaldi added, "No. I'm a long-standing Doctor Who fan from being a kid. I like the idea that my Doctor is still out there. He's not available to come and be on TV. The real Doctor is not on TV, the real Doctor is out there."
Capaldi played the Doctor across three series and four specials, so it's easy enough to understand why he likely feels he's done all he can with the role. Past Doctors returning is always a tricky thing and, thus far, Tennant is the only one to have successfully done so on multiple occasions.
In the same interview, the actor was asked if he would be open to joining DC Studios' DCU after working with James Gunn on The Suicide Squad. He played the villainous Thinker in that movie and met his maker at Starro's hands.
"Of course, I would, absolutely," Capaldi enthused. "James was lovely; I loved working with him. He creates such a great atmosphere on set and is such a nice person to work with. I honestly think James is gifted, clever, and sharp, but I sometimes feel like he's making a film in his garage."
"He feels like a guy who would go off at the weekend and make these films because he has such enthusiasm and sincerity about them."
"I think that's what makes this work stand out; he means it. He has a meaningful relationship with all these comic book characters; it's not a commercial relationship," he concluded. "He cares about them, and that's wonderful."
Who do you think Capaldi could play in the DCU if not The Thinker?