Much like there has been only one Professor X, Patrick Stewart’s breakthrough role as Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation seems unique to him. However, Hollywood can either make him play the iconic role till “he’s 90” (he’s 84), or they can recast him like they did with James T. Kirk and Spock.
The original Star Trek series’ lead protagonists have seen two more iterations already, with J.J. Abrams’ film reboot and Strange New Worlds recasting Kirk and Spock. However, Stewart still seems to be going strong as Captain Picard and has reprised him in another spinoff show. However, he seems to have accepted the fact that he might be recast.
Patrick Stewart Is Aware Of His Iconic Star Trek Role Getting A Reboot
Sir Patrick Stewart had a surge of popularity in the late ‘80s and ‘90s when he starred as Captain Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation. The actor who was known for his Shakespearean plays and stage work was suddenly propelled to global stardom when he joined the sci-fi franchise. Initially apprehensive, Stewart slowly became accustomed to it.
Since then, he has played the character in seven seasons of TNG, four original films starring the same cast, and three seasons of the spinoff show Star Trek: Picard. While the actor seemed to have a different ending in mind, he got to reunite with his TNG cast members again in the final season.
Iconic characters from Star Trek have been recast and rebooted before. Be it J.J. Abrams’ film reboot with Chris Pine as James Kirk or Strange New World’s Paul Wesley, fans seemed to have accepted these actors as the iconic leads. However, Stewart is still the only actor to play Picard. But he told Wired that he knows his tenure might be nearing its expiry date.
It will happen, I’m sure. I mean, I already have a son. And who knows what’s going to happen to him? He could become the next Jean-Luc, and he’s a wonderful actor. But Star Trek: Picard, especially season three, left us in a very unresolved place. I had an idea about how to play the last scene that would have kind of resolved it, but it didn’t work out.
Patrick Stewart’s son Daniel Stewart is also an actor and has even appeared in a TNG episode with his father. However, Daniel Stewart being 56 years old may not help his chances as a possibly younger Captain Picard.
Sir Patrick Stewart Wanted A Different Ending For Star Trek: Picard
After seven seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation and four films with the same characters, Patrick Stewart seemed to be done with Captain Picard. However, Paramount was not, and after much convincing and the actor laying out a bunch of conditions, Stewart agreed to star in Star Trek: Picard (via Time).
While his conditions clearly stated that the show should not be a nostalgia-filled reunion series, it ended up being so, with the final scene showing Picard and his TNG crew playing cards. Though he is fond of the ending, Stewart reportedly had a different idea for where Picard’s story would end.
The actor reportedly pitched to the showrunners that he wished Picard would be at ease and without anxiety in his final appearance and that he had a wife. He said to Time,
The writers came up with a lovely scene. It is dusk at Jean-Luc’s vineyard. His back is to us as he takes in the view, his dog at his side. Then, off-screen, a woman’s loving voice is heard: ‘Jean-Luc? Supper’s ready!’ Is it Beverly Crusher’s voice? Laris’s? Someone we don’t know? It isn’t made clear. But Sunny was set to record the lines. Heeding his wife’s call, Jean-Luc turns around, says to his dog, ‘C’mon, boy,’ and heads inside. Dusk fades to night, and Picard fades into history.
However, the crew reportedly never filmed this ending as it was initially postponed due to time constraints, and the studio preferred a reunion over the completion of his arc. The actor has mentioned multiple times that he wished to finish Picard’s story in a standalone film.
Star Trek: The Next Generation is available to stream on Paramount+.
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