I think that Chris Eccleston's absence was just because he wasn't interested, I believe that Steven Moffat did meet up with him to try and convince him to take part :(
I can understand why Moffat didn't want to include all of the older Doctor's and make it too much of a nostalgiafest, but I must admit I was a bit surprised that he didn't include any of the past companions where the ageing of the actors could be explained in a more natural way. It just seemed like Moffat was focused on telling a proper story with the Time War first and foremost I suppose, rather than having a ton of cameo's. If Chris had agreed to take part, as was presumedly the original plan, then there probably would have been less criticism from the fans, because then it would have been the three Doctor's from the modern series working together for the first time. That would have felt suitably epic, as well as Billie Piper and Tom Baker's appearances, so that would have been considered celebratory enough perhaps, but instead viewers focused on how there should have been more nods to the past than just David and Billie. I wonder why Moffat didn't at least consider using the 8th Doctor when Chris Eccleston wasn't available, instead of introducing a brand new Doctor with John Hurt
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rosecarmine
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Date: 2016-09-20 01:00 pm (UTC)I can understand why Moffat didn't want to include all of the older Doctor's and make it too much of a nostalgiafest, but I must admit I was a bit surprised that he didn't include any of the past companions where the ageing of the actors could be explained in a more natural way. It just seemed like Moffat was focused on telling a proper story with the Time War first and foremost I suppose, rather than having a ton of cameo's. If Chris had agreed to take part, as was presumedly the original plan, then there probably would have been less criticism from the fans, because then it would have been the three Doctor's from the modern series working together for the first time. That would have felt suitably epic, as well as Billie Piper and Tom Baker's appearances, so that would have been considered celebratory enough perhaps, but instead viewers focused on how there should have been more nods to the past than just David and Billie. I wonder why Moffat didn't at least consider using the 8th Doctor when Chris Eccleston wasn't available, instead of introducing a brand new Doctor with John Hurt