Steven Moffat thinks a 'Doctor Who' movie would be "incredibly damning to the [TV] franchise".

Steven Moffat

Steven Moffat

The showrunner doesn't want to take time out from the sci-fi programme to work on a big screen adaptation and worries that if a movie does go ahead, it could damage the TV show.

Speaking at a TCA (Television Critics Association) panel, he said: "First that would be up to the BBC. What are we going to do? Shut down for a year and make a movie? Does everyone want that - a whole movie and not a series? If there's a movie, you can't have a different Doctor in the movie - that would be incredibly damning to the franchise."

His comments come after Russell T. Davies - who was responsible for reviving the sci-fi show in 2005 before handing control to Steven in 2010 - revealed he would love to write the script for a 'Doctor Who' movie.

Although he has refused multiple requests by Steven to write a new TV episode, Russell thinks a spin-off film would be "glorious" and he would love to be involved if it happened.

Asked if he thinks there should be a 'Doctor Who' movie, he said: "Yes, I think it should be in cinemas immediately, it would be glorious. Imagine queuing up for the cinema for a 'Doctor Who' film, I would be there with a sleeping bag.

"Would I write it? Yes please, if we could get the lawyers and the contracts. I would do that because I think there's a big leap to be made."