The universe of Star Trek, a domain of sci-fi where the galaxies hold numerous mysteries and the USS Enterprise-D crew embarks on thrilling adventures, might be on the verge of a cinematic resurrection. The curtains may have drawn on the legendary Star Trek series, but the magnetism of Jean-Luc Picard is far from dimming. Patrick Stewart, the man behind the iconic character, has expressed his desire to steer the Starship once more, this time, onto the grand silver screen. But, this voyage has a twist; he envisions Jonathan Frakes, his dependable Number One, to captain this ship from behind the camera.
Resurrecting the ‘Next Generation’ Legacy
In his memoir, “Making It So”, Patrick Stewart opens up about his aspiration. He doesn’t just want another Star Trek spin-off. Stewart’s vision is much grander, “I am gently pushing Paramount to let us do one single Picard movie. Not a Next Generation movie… This would be an expansion and deepening of the universe as we’ve seen it in Star Trek: Picard.” This sentiment isn’t a lone battle cry. Stewart has already brought this idea before his former crewmates – Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, and LeVar Burton. And if Stewart had it his way, Frakes would be in the director’s chair, a sentiment he openly shared, “I’ve discussed this with Jonathan, Brent, and LeVar, and they are all game. Jonathan is my first choice to direct it.”
The past voyages of the ‘Next Generation’ crew have been a roller-coaster ride of highs and lows. Their initial journey onto the big screen was “Star Trek: Generations” in 1995. Although it brought together the epic meeting of Picard and Captain Kirk, the reviews were lukewarm at best. However, redemption was found in “Star Trek: First Contact”, a film that took the crew on a time-bending mission, defending the inventor of warp drive from the formidable Borg. But not all tales have happy endings. “Star Trek: Nemesis” turned out to be a cinematic fiasco, misusing the beloved ‘Next Generation’ crew and delivering a lackluster villain in Tom Hardy. The debacle was so grand that the cinema halls remained devoid of any Star Trek adventures for almost a decade. It’s hardly a surprise that Stewart is motivated to rewrite this narrative.
Frakes: The Directorial Maestro of Star Trek Universe
Jonathan Frakes isn’t just another name in the Star Trek lineage. With a whopping 28 episodes across six series and two full-length movies under his directorial belt, Frakes has a deep understanding of the Star Trek essence. His most recent feather in the cap was the ingenious crossover between “Strange New Worlds” and “Lower Decks”, brilliantly transitioning animated personas into the real world.
In Conclusion
With the last season of “Star Trek: Picard” currently being showcased on Paramount+, one can only hope that Stewart’s dream will see the light of day. A cinematic masterpiece that does justice to the legacy of Jean-Luc Picard and the ‘Next Generation’ crew is not just a wish of an actor, but the collective dream of countless fans across the globe. Time will tell if this starship will embark on another enthralling voyage.
