Sir Patrick Stewart originally refused to return for Star Trek: Picard (but we’re so glad he changed his mind)
Sir Patrick Stewart admitted that he didn’t initially want to return to Jean-Luc Picard for the new Star Trek spin-off – but ultimately couldn’t resist.
The actor, who was last seen playing the iconic Next Generation Captain back in 2002, is returning to our screens with his own adventure at the beginning of next year.
But speaking at New York Comic-Con last weekend, where the team dropped the trailer for the upcoming season, he admitted that he was not sold on the idea completely.
Star Trek project boss Alex Kurtzman admitted he initially wanted a one-off appearance from the Captain, as part of the show’s Short Treks projects, which are small episodes created to slot in between seasons of Star Trek: Discovery.
But the actor refused the idea, causing the team to push him to try and convince him otherwise.
However, after showrunner Michael Chabon sent Sir Patrick a brief on what they were planning to do – and it grew from there to the series it became.
Speaking about his role in getting the legendary star on board, Michael said: ‘I’ve lived with these imaginary worlds since I was 10 years old.
‘From that moment until the day Akiva proposed this to me, I’ve never stopped living in these imaginary worlds.’
On what to expect for the character when he makes his return, writer, director and producer Akiva Goldsman revealed: ‘We wanted to let the ensuing years that have happened for us also have happened for Jean-Luc.
‘We spent a lot of time, collaboratively, filling in the intervening years,’ he said.
‘We know pretty much everything that happened in those 20 years. I include in “we” Patrick, who is the singular expert in Picard.’
Running for 10 episodes Picard will be the famous character on the cusp of retirement after Star Trek: Next Generation.
It will air in the US on CBS All Access, before becoming available internationally every Friday on Amazon Prime Video.
After his years as a star fleet captain, Picard has retired and has set up home in his vineyard, willing the days away in his new content life.
But he is soon joined by a mysterious young woman Dahj in the new chapter of his life, who he seeks to help after coming to believe is in imminent danger.
Star Trek: Picard launches 24th January 2020 on Amazon Prime Video.
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