None of the other cast from Star Trek: The Next Generation have been asked to return
Recently you would of heard the amazing news that, Patrick Stewart, will be returning to the Star Trek franchise. Reprising his role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard. This new series will be a sequel to Star Trek: The Next Generation and will focus on the next chapter of Picard’s life.
The announcement came from Stewart himself at the Las Vegas Star Trek Convention.
He said:
“I will always be very proud to have been a part of Star Trek: The Next Generation, but when we wrapped that final movie in the spring of 2002, I truly felt my time with Star Trek had run its natural course. It is, therefore, an unexpected but delightful surprise to find myself excited and invigorated to be returning to Jean-Luc Picard and to explore new dimensions within him. Seeking out new life for him, when I thought that life was over.
Going on to say:
“During these past years, it has been humbling to hear many stories about how The Next Generation brought people comfort, saw them through difficult periods in their lives or how the example of Jean-Luc inspired so many to follow in his footsteps, pursuing science, exploration and leadership. I feel I’m ready to return to him for the same reason – to research and experience what comforting and reforming light he might shine on these often very dark times. I look forward to working with our brilliant creative team as we endeavor to bring a fresh, unexpected and pertinent story to life once more.”
I cannot express how excited I am! Unfortunately other cast from Next Generation have not been asked to return. Marina Sirtis, known as Counselor Deanna Troi had this to say,
“All I have to say, all we have to say – I am speaking for all three of us now – when Patrick said ‘Jean-Luc Picard is back,’ he didn’t say TNG is back.”
Two other cast members, Gates McFadden (Dr. Crusher) and Michael Dorn (Lieutenant Commander Worf) went on to confirm that they too have not been asked to return.
It is early days and I hope that others from TNG will return… How could they not! A grown up Wesley Crusher re-materialising to see how his former mentor and hero is getting on. To see how Worf has fared after the events of Deep Space Nine. I eagerly await to hear more news as to how this next chapter in Picard’s life will take shape.
Until then all we know is that this new series will take place 20 years after Star Trek: Nemesis, the final film in the franchise before the recent reboots featuring Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana and Simon Pegg.
Patrick Stewart had one last thing to say:
“He may not be a captain anymore. He may not be the Jean-Luc that you recognize and know so well. It may be a very different individual. Someone who has been changed by his experiences. 20 years will have passed…We have no scripts as yet, we’re just talking, talking, talking storylines. It will be, I promise you, I guarantee it, something very, very different, but it will come to you with the same passion and determination and love of the material and love of our followers and our fans exactly as we had it before.”
I get the impression that we will see the return of some of Star Trek: The Next Generations beloved characters, right there next to Captain Jean-Luc Picard.