Not many things in this world go better together than Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Star Trek, and yet, we never thought we’d be lucky enough to have them in the same vicinity ever again.
But here we are, with Patrick Stewart set to return to the role for the first time since 2002. The actor’s comeback is arguably the best Star Trek news we’ve had since Quentin Tarantino began working on his own R-rated spin on the classic franchise. And though the project is still a ways away from seeing the light of day, Trekkies can at least take comfort in the fact that executive producer Alex Kurtzman (Discovery) is already hard at work on Stewart’s upcoming series.
Not only that, but fans can also rest easy knowing that the actor himself is taking a very hands-on approach, with Kurtzman telling Digital Spy the following:
“Patrick was there [in the writers’ room] for two weeks at the beginning of the experience, sitting with the writers. Everybody was talking together about what they wanted this show to be, and that’s very special. Patrick will send us beautifully written emails about what he feels about Picard and where he feels Picard has been. That’s so inspirational.”
For Patrick Stewart, the series will apparently provide him with an opportunity to dive deep into Picard’s life, after it was revealed that the show’s set a full 25 years after Nemesis, in a world where Jean-Luc Picard’s no longer a Starfleet captain. That’s an exciting premise, to be sure, and it sounds like the iconic actor’s eager to tackle the challenges yet to come.
“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,” he said. “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.”
These are exciting times for Star Trek fans, no doubt, and Captain Jean-Luc Picard’s return to television is just the shining cherry atop a deliciously starship-shaped cake. As always, watch this space for more details as the project continues to develop.
