David Tennant talks Pirates, plasticine and secret projects

While lounging around his West End dressing room waiting to go on-stage to perform in Much Ado About Nothing , former timelord Tennant, talked Total Film through how he's been keeping busy since stepping away from the Tardis.

First up he's starring as a tight-trousered Las Vegas illusionist in the 3D update of Fright Night , then he'll lend his voice to Aardman's latest The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists (released 28 March 2012).

“What a joy to be part of that. You feel a little bit of a cheat to take any credit for it, but really the stars of this film are the animators. What they can make a piece of plasticine is quite remarkable."

"The other day I did my last session on the film and they brought the little model of [my character] Darwin down so I have shaken hands the plasticine me - which was strangely thrilling.”

Also strangely thrilling is Tennant's next film project which he hopes to start work on by the end of the year. But he's sworn to secrecy on details:

"It will be something entirely new to me – the process will be something I’ve never done before. That’s exciting and a little bit scary – and I’ve already said too much!"

And don't rule out a return to the Doctor:

"Not impossible forever, but no plans at the moment. People keep telling me that they’ve read online that I’m coming back – but believe me, if that happens I’ll be the first to tell everyone, I’ll be shouting about it very loudly."

"I’m very proud of the show and I’m fully aware it casts a long shadow professionally, but I’m quite happy about that. It’s a shadow wearing a very cool, long coat!"

Fright Night opens on 2 September 2011, and The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists! is arriving 30 March 2012.