Captain Jean-Luc Picard returns in ‘Star Trek: Picard,’ and bids a fond farewell to Professor Charles Xavier and Marvel’s MCU.
Fascinating! Even at 79, Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The New Generation, X-Men) is causing waves in the space-time continuum. While he has returned to his Sci-Fi roots in Star Trek: Picard, he will be leaving his telepathic powers behind. Stewart was asked by Kevin Feige, illustrious MCU producer, to reprise his role of Professor Charles Xavier despite his iconic death in Logan. Stewart declined. Rumor has it Feige wanted Stewart back for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, as a way to tie in the X-Men to the Avengers franchise. While we won’t be seeing him again as Professor X, he will live long and prosper as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the highly anticipated Star Trek: The Next Generation spinoff, Star Trek: Picard. Out with one franchise and in with another.
Picard, the series sequel to the critical flop Star Trek: Nemesis, will follow retired Admiral Picard and his motley crew on an important mission 20 years after the plot of the film. His crew will include Dahj (Isa Briones), Cristobal Rios (Santiago Cabrera), Raffi Musiker (Michelle Hurd), Dr. Agnes Jurati (Alison Pill), and Narek (Harry Treadaway). Reprising their ST:G/ST:V roles are Jonathan Frakes as Will Riker, Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi, Jeri Ryan as Seven of Nine, and Jonathan Del Arco as Hugh. The plot picks up after the destruction of the planet Romulus, which brings an end to the Romulan Empire. The Romulan fall affected the Admiral enough to leave his quiet life in La Barre, France and head back out into the final frontier.
To add further excitement, Stewart appeared on The View recently and asked Whoopi Goldberg (Sister Act, Ghost) to boldly go where she had once before by inviting her to reprise her role as USS Enterprise bartender Guinan in Picard Season 2. Goldberg played Guinan alongside Stewart’s Captain Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Stewart extended the heartfelt offer on behalf of himself, showrunner Alex Kurtzman (Star Trek, Sleepy Hollow) and the rest of the cast and crew. Make it so, Whoopi!
Picard is executive produced by Alex Kurtzman and premiered yesterday, January 23, with further episodes airing weekly. Season 1 will have 10 episodes. Season 2 has already been confirmed.
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