David Yates Is Doctor Director

David Yates has signed on to turn iconic British TV series Doctor Who into a major new film.

The Brit, who took charge of the last four Potter films, tells Daily Variety he'll take the next two to three years to perfect the project.

He says, "It needs quite a radical transformation to take it into the bigger arena".

The time-travel TV show was must-see viewing in Britain between 1963 and 1989 and it has since found a new generation of fans thanks to a mid-2000s revival.

Matt Smith is the current and 11th Doctor.

It is not known who will play Yates' timelord, but early speculation suggests his Harry Potter stars Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe are in the mix.