Yes, this is true. 

In news likely to make American readers splutter on their turkey, it has been that the King Of Pop came within spitting distance of playing the Timelord on screen. As The Times report, Michael Jackson was apparently Paramount Pictures’ first choice to play the figure in an aborted 1988 film version of the show.

The bombshell is included in Charles Norton’s Now On The Big Screen: The Unofficial And Unauthorised Guide To Doctor Who At The Cinema, a new book on the various botched attempts to get the show onto the big screen. Following the success of Jackson’s Moonwalker, the studio had Jackson as the frontrunner for the role, although production was eventually mothballed. Also in the running? Bill Cosby (we’re starting to see why this film didn’t get made).

In somewhat more down-to-earth movie news, a new film documenting the rise of UK garage was announced last week. Rewind 4 Ever: The History of UK Garage will be available to rent and buy over at iTunes and Blinkbox on July 15.