I have been recently watching a UK Gold programme, "Doctor Who @ 40", and there was a segment on the future of Doctor Who after the cancellation. They were showing an interview with Paul McGann, about the Doctor Who movie, filmed just months before the reboot was confirmed, where McGann said he was contracted for 6 years. I think he meant contracted to the production company who did the movie, but he said that he would love to be considered for the TV role, as he didn't want to be a "one story Doctor", and to "watch this space".

I know that McGann did audio stories, but my question is, was any reason ever given by anyone involved with the Doctor Who reboot, as to why he wasn't approached or why they never went in that direction with the character? Since he only did the movie, they could have still gone and made him the tired and angry doctor who survived the Time War and burnt his race. Seeing as Eccelston only did one series, it wouldn't have made much difference.