Editing Sonic screwdriver (section)

=== 2023–present ===
In December 2023, a reinvention of the sonic screwdriver was introduced for the Fifteenth Doctor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who officially introduces Ncuti Gatwa's Sonic Screwdriver |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-ncuti-gatwa-sonic-newsupdate/ |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}</ref> The design is radically different from previous versions, with the shape now resembling a [[remote control]] rather than a screwdriver.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Graham-Lowery |first=Nathan |date=2023-12-10 |title=Doctor Who Reveals Ncuti Gatwa's Sonic Screwdriver (& It Looks Wildly Different From Any Before) |url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-sonic-screwdriver-ncuti-gatwa-image-video/ |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref> Gatwa revealed a [[Gallifrey]]an script on the sonic, which translates to "the sharpness of the tongue defeats the sharpness of the warrior", a [[Rwanda]]n proverb.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Megan Garside |date=2023-12-11 |title=Doctor Who's Ncuti Gatwa's sonic screwdriver has a beautiful, hidden, message |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/doctor-who-ncuti-gatwa-sonic-screwdriver-hidden-message/ |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=gamesradar |language=en}}</ref> The sonic also contains a crystal power source and a "[[USB port|USB]]"-style port which allows it to be connected to other technologies.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-12-10 |title=Doctor Who unveils Ncuti Gatwa's Sonic Screwdriver: A closer look at the Gallifreyan gadget |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/doctor-who-unveils-ncuti-gatwas-sonic-screwdriver-a-closer-look-at-the-gallifreyan-gadget/articleshow/105881933.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-05-18 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>

According to Phil Sims, production designer, Davies initially expected that the Fifteenth Doctor would continue to use the previous [[Fourteenth Doctor]] sonic screwdriver, "the same way he'd inherit the TARDIS". Davies later changed his mind, believing it was important for "the new Doctor to have a new sonic". Michael van Kesteren, prop art director, said that he struggled to come up with a concept; adding that the team had been "quietly hoping not to have to do another one for a while", as the creation of the previous sonic was "such a complicated, time-consuming process". Sims opened it up as a "competition" to the art department, with the brief asking for it to be "funky", "something different" and not limited to "a stick that we point at people".<ref name="DWM599">{{Cite journal |last=Kirkley |first=Paul |title=Sonic Disruptors |journal=Doctor Who Magazine 599 |publication-date=4 January 2024 |volume=Panini UK |pages=36–37}}</ref> Davies was interested in changing the shape of the sonic as he worried that it looked too much like a gun:

{{Blockquote|text=This new Doctor for 2024, I worry that sometimes the old sonic starts to look like a gun — like a weapon that gets pointed like a weapon. And I wanted to just cool that down and check that out.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sepinwall |first=Alan |date=2024-05-03 |title=The new Doctor checks in |url=https://alansepinwall.substack.com/p/the-new-doctor-checks-in |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=What's Alan Watching?}}</ref>|author=}}

He also wanted it to be "something every kid would want for Christmas".<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kirkley |first=Paul |title=Designated 'Driver |journal=Doctor Who Magazine 594 |publisher=Panini UK |publication-date=17 August 2023 |issue=18}}</ref> Jason Davies-Redgrave, art department co-ordinator, wanted to think "as far out of the box" as he could, and sketched ideas based on a [[flip phone]], a pebble, and an "alien [[croissant]]". The sketches were divisive at first, with Joel Collins, executive producer, elaborating that "if you'd got out of bed on the wrong side, you might have looked at what Jason had drawn, gone 'what is that?', and thrown it in the corner". Davies strongly supported the sketches, specifically the sketch labelled 'Organic Pebble Teddy Bear version'. The art department's challenge was to translate the chosen sketch into a 3D-printed physical prop. The sonic was designed to be "fully-functioning" with [[touch control]]s. Initially, an "all-metal version" was considered, but deemed too expensive. The prop required around 50 component parts, a rechargeable battery, and elastic band technology.<ref name="DWM599" />