The photo that Patrick Stewart posted yesterday, showing the first meeting of the creative forces behind his return to the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, didn’t contain any details about what the upcoming Star Trek show would consist of. It did, however, underline to fans that this is really happening.
Yes, the wheels are now in motion to do what just this summer seemed impossible and bring back one of the most beloved (maybe the most beloved) captain in the franchise’s history. But who could they call if the needed someone to play Picard in flashbacks?
Well, there’s one actor who has experience in playing a younger version of Patrick Stewart, and it sounds like he’s up for the job. Yup, James McAvoy commented on the photograph, asking: “Need a flashback guy??? Just saying @sirpatstew I’ve got previous experience and will work for autographs.”
McAvoy is of course making light of the fact that he’s played the younger Professor Charles Xavier in various X-Men movies, a role famously portrayed by Patrick Stewart. Now, McAvoy’s obviously having a little joke here, but if there were to be flashbacks in the show, I honestly can’t think of many actors who would suit the role better than him. That’s probably because he’s just such a damn good actor in general, but hey, if he wants to be typecast as young Patrick Stewart, I say go for it.
Personally, I can’t wait to find out what Captain Picard’s been doing since we last saw him. Rumor has it the show will pick up 20 years after the events of Star Trek: Nemesis (which I think will make it the furthest in the future any Trek TV series has ever gone, though correct me if I’m wrong). Hopefully, we’ll also get to learn the fates of some of the other Next Generation crew, and who knows, a few of our favorites could even be returning as well. I mean, c’mon, Worf’s a no-brainer, right?
