Maybe Fox didn’t like Russell T. Davies script after they read it? Or perhaps they thought the show about an elite team that tries to stop aliens invasions would be too expensive to do on a weekly basis? Or maybe they realized, finally, that the immortal lead character of Captain Jack likes to shag both women and men? Guess they’ve never actually watched the show before.

Whatever the reason, angry fans of the BBC’s Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood can rest easy as Fox has decided not to go through with their plans to adapt the show for the United States.

“BBC Worldwide Productions and the FOX Broadcasting Company have mutually agreed not to progress together with a 13-episode serialized ‘Torchwood’ format,” said BBC Worldwide in a statement. “We are currently in discussion with several interested networks.”

To further illustrate that last bit, BBC Worldwide executive vp of programming and production Jane Tranter reiterated that a U.S. version was still making progress. “It’s very much ongoing and very much alive,” Tranter said. Well, that’s good news at least. Right? Or not. To be honest, I kinda like my Torchwood the way it is.

Although, the Americanized version of the british hit Coupling didn’t turn out so bad a few years ago and actually did very well for itself. Coupling became Friends in the US, in case you were wondering.

As I’ve said previously, I’m more a fan of Torchwood than I am of Doctor Who. But even though I may have felt that way in the past, I’m willing to give the new series, and the new Doctor (Matt Smith), a try — especially after viewing this brand new trailer for the series.

Seeing this trailer really helps persuade me to forget the problems I’ve had with the show in the past. In fact, after watching it I can only conclude that the show looks pretty darn good. I sincerely hope the trailer is a good indicator of the show itself. Either way, I’m going to give it a try so expect a review of the new Doctor Who series soon.

In the meantime, here’s some info about the show from our friends at the BBC:

From new lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat, the series follows the adventures of The Doctor, the mysterious traveler who, with his human companions, journeys throughout all of time and space, facing a variety of foes and righting wrongs. This latest series sees Matt Smith’s debut as the new, Eleventh incarnation of the famous Time Lord alongside a new traveling companion, the enigmatic Amy Pond (Karen Gillan). Together they explore sixteenth century Venice, France during the 1890s, and the United Kingdom in the far future, now an entire nation floating in space.

Check out the new trailer after the jump. Doctor Who premieres Saturday, April 17, 9 PM ET/PT and is an extended version with limited commercial interruption.

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If you’ve been hoping for more Torchwood, the quirky and sexy British series about a group of investigators who fight aliens, you might be in luck – sorta. In the fine tradition of bringing British TV shows to the U.S. market, Fox has announced they are developing a version of Torchwood with original series creator Russell T. Davies.

According to the article, fans of the original series need not worry it will be somehow ruined by coming to the States because the original producing team is on board. In addition to Davies, exec producers include Julie Gardner (former head of drama at BBC Wales for the show’s first season) and Jane Tranter are going to be there to ensure the new show stays true to its origins.

Also, some of the current cast, which most likely will include John Barrowman (who plays the immortal Capt. Jack Harkness), might star if Fox decides to order a Torchwood pilot. No word yet on Eve Myles or Gareth David-Lloyd, but hopefully they would be involved as well. The U.S. version will involve a global story line compared to the more localized one of the first two BBC seasons. In addition, you can expect the budget to be higher as well, which will allow for more cool aliens and such.

So what do we think of this? Good idea or terrible idea?

Those who are fans of the British Sci-Fi series Doctor Who know that heartbreak lies ahead. David Tennant, the beloved actor who has taken up the titular mantle as the Tenth Doctor since 2005, will be leaving the show and handing off his TARDIS to newcomer Matt Smith. We’re now receiving word that BBC America will be airing the upcoming episodes mere days after it’s initial broadcast in the UK.

According to BBC America’s press release, they are running the final Tennant episode even sooner that originally anticipated.

BBC AMERICA today announced the U.S. premiere of David Tennant’s final special as the Tenth Doctor. Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part Two, premieres January 2, one week after Part One, on BBC AMERICA. The finale to the era of David Tennant is one of the most eagerly anticipated adventures in the history of Doctor Who. Guest stars include John Simm (Life on Mars) as the Master, Timothy Dalton, Catherine Tate and Bernard Cribbins.

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Not many people in the US are aware at the power two simple words carry over in the United Kingdom. Just uttering the words “Doctor Who” can stir up a conversation with about 75% of Britain’s population, as that’s how many viewers watch each episode on average.

The show is so popular that one of it’s highest rated yearly specials takes place on Christmas night. That’s right. While we get together to see whether or not Sanjaya is going to make it to the next round, over half of the UK is watching David Tennant get his way out of another impossible (and impossibly brilliant) situation.

With that said, the Internets are all a twitter about a new clip that aired during the BBC’s Children in Need special (think Comic Relief with less Whoopi). The scene involved the good Doctor having a conversation with one of the Ood that has been summoning him. There are a few interesting tidbits in the dialogue, including mention of a marriage to “Queen Bess.”

Check out the clip after the jump, and be sure to catch Doctor Who and “The End of Time” on December 26th only on BBC America.

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The Caprica casting office seems to be working overtime lately and is snagging a bunch of great new people to take on key roles in the show. Previously, we told you about Battlestar Galactica alumni Luciana Carro joining the show as well as comedian Patton Oswalt recently being cast. And now, word comes today that everyone’s other favorite former vampire James Marsters is joining the show as well and taking on what is described as a “sizable role.”

No word yet on exactly what Marsters will be doing on the show and who, or what, he will be doing it to but we do know, according to EW, that he will be pretty much doing what he does best and playing a dangerous and unpredictable bad guy driven by his carnal and moralistic desires. Marsters will play a terrorist leader named Barnabus Greele in at least three episodes of the upcoming Syfy series.

As a fan of Buffy and all of Marsters’ work, I’m always glad to see him make an appearance on any show. He always brings something special to the table and raises the level of any show he’s on. The fact that he’s going to be in Caprica makes me even more excited for its debut on Januray 22, 2010. Not that I really needed a reason to watch the show.

Here’s a list of some of the new DVD and Blu-ray releases this week we’re particularly interested in. Plus, some old favorites (and not so favorites) coming out this week for the first time on Blu-ray.

Movies

Fast & Furious ~ Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, and Jordana Brewster (DVD and Blu-ray)

Repulsion – Criterion Collection  ~ Catherine Deneuve (Blu-ray)

12 Monkeys ~ Brad Pitt, Bruce Willis, and Madeline Stowe (Blu-ray)

Dragonball: Evolution ~ Justin Chatwin, James Marsters, Yun-Fat Chow, and Emmy Rossum (DVD)

This Is Spinal Tap ~ Rob Reiner, Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer (Blu-ray)

Fast & Furious 4 – Movie Collection ~ Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, and Jordana Brewster (DVD)

Bart Got a Room ~ William H. Macy (DVD)

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Last time on on The Flickcast, your favorite trio discussed topics include Ryan Reynolds as Green Lantern, Natalie Portman in Thor, AMC’s reboot of the classic The Prisoner TV series, the potential Smallville Superman movie and much much more!

This week, Chris and Matt go it alone and jump into full Comic-Con preview mode to discuss all the great things coming up at the Con like the Twilight Zone movie, Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, the Tron reboot, Willem Dafoe in John Carter of Mars, Torchwood: Children of Earth and how fun it is to say the word “Hufflepuff” while doing a British accent.

Chris and Matt also made some picks this week including Matt’s pick of Justice League: New Frontier and Chris’ pick of the novel A Princess of Mars, the first book in Edgar Rice Burroughs John Carter of Mars series.

As always, if you have comments, questions, critiques or offers of sponsorship, feel free to hit us up in the comments, on Twitter and at Facebook, MySpace or via email. Thanks for listening.

Not many people are ready for David Tennant, the current Doctor Who, to leave the show and pass the baton to youngster Matt Smith, but people have to embrace change, and with it comes a new picture of Smith and a fun new set video. One of the big changes is the new look of The Doctor: a tweed jacket, bow tie, rolled up trousers and black boots, which seems a bit timely for a character that is supposed to be thousands of years old.

Alongside Smith is Karen Gillan, who will be playing the 11th doctors traveling companion. With Gillan only 21 and Smith 26, there is a lot of harsh feelings that the new doctor/companion relationship will be more like Twilight rather than the series that has been airing on and off since the 50s. Check out the set video from BBC News after the jump.

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As you might have guessed, we’re big fans of the BBC show Torchwood here at The Flickcast. And now that the new, albiet very short, season is almost here, we’re pretty excited about the further adventures of Ianto, Gwen and Captain Jack. Last time, we had two minutes of footage from the first episode to show you.

Now, we’ve got an even longer clip to bring you. In fact, its the first seven minutes of the first episode, which is pretty darn cool. Torchwood will also be at Comic-Con in San Diego with a screening of the final episode on Saturday, July 25 at 7:30pm and a panel session on Sunday, July 26 at 2:15pm.

Creator Russell T. Davies, executive producer Julie Gardner and director Euros Lynn will be on hand as well and we’re hoping to snag some interviews. Meantime, Torchwood: Children of Earth premieres five nights straight starting on Monday, July 20 at 9E/P on BBC America. Until then, be sure to check out the first seven minutes of the show after the break.

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Even though its already started in the UK, the third season of the Doctor Who spinoff Torchwood is still something we have to wait for and look forward to here in the States. Sadly, even with the wait, we won’t get very many episodes this time around because of the BBC’s decision to only produce a five episode mini-series instead of a full season.

We’re not sure of the logic behind that decision, but at least we’ll still get a new adventure featuring some of our favorite Torchwood characters like Ianto, Gwen and the man himself, Captain jack Harkness. We’ve covered the show before and brought you the first trailer. And now, thanks to the BBC, we’ve got another longer clip to show you — which is about two minute and near the end, pretty creepy and cool.

In case you’re not familiar with the story arc of this season of Torchwood, it concerns all the children on Earth who suddenly stop moving as if paralyzed, and Torchwood discovers that, big surprise, an alien threat is behind this sinister plot. Capt. Jack Harkness (John Barrowman), Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles), Ianto Jones (Gareth David-Lloyd), Rhys (Kai Owen) and even PC Andy (Tom Price) all return to help discover the truth and save the day.

Torchwood: Children of Earth is on the BBC in the UK now and comes to BBC America on July 20. Check out the new clip after the jump.

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You know the old joke about what kinds of music they play at a certain bar? It goes something like this: “We play both kinds of music . . . Country and Western.” See, that’s funny because those are the same thing . . . never mind. Still, the intent of the joke applies to the worlds of Sci-Fi and Fantasy.

As in, we like ‘em both here at The Flickcast. We also tend to watch a lot of TV. So, how do we combine those two things together and, more importantly, figure out which shows are worth watching and which aren’t? Fortunately, over at Sci-Fi Wire, they’ve done the hard work for us and compiled a list of every Sci-Fi and Fantasy show we could possibly watch this Summer.

Some of the shows they highlight in the article that we’re looking forward to are listed below. For the complete list, be sure to head over to Sci-Fi Wire.

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