Star Trek: Discovery showrunner expands deal; Patrick Stewart series rumors
According to The Hollywood Reporter, there is some chatter that Stewart could return as the iconic Jean-Luc Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation in some shape or form. Alex Kurtzman (who was recently named showrunner on Star Trek: Discovery) and Akiva Goldsman are potentially involved in the project. This news comes as Kurtzman recently extended his deal to 2023, and with backend included it could be worth as much as $5 million annually. A part of this deal is the opportunity to develop more potential projects within the Star Trek franchise.
While CBS Television Studios has not confirmed the Stewart spin-off and sources say a deal is far from done on it, the studio’s president in David Stapf had the following to say about Kurtzman’s new deal:
“There is a very short list of writer/producer/directors that every film and television studio wants to be associated with, and Alex and his Secret Hideout team are always at the top … His talent, taste and ability to shepherd a successful project is unparalleled. Alex has done remarkable work for our Studio, dating back seven years to the launch of Hawaii Five-0, and we are thrilled that he, Heather and their team will be partnering with us for a long time to come.”
We’re not going to lie: The idea of having more Picard is a giddy concept. Star Trek: The Next Generation remains in our mind the pinnacle of the franchise and any way to echo that in the present is embraced and appreciated … especially if there were ways to get LeVar Burton and the rest of the cast involved. Star Trek has always been a franchise far ahead of its time, and the idea of seeing what the world could look like through the lens of Picard, Geordi, or some other fantastic characters is enticing beyond words.
Once there is more news out there, we will be sure to let you know. The second season of Star Trek: Discovery is poised to premiere in 2019.
What do you think about the idea of getting more Patrick Stewart within the Star Trek universe? Share now in the comments!
Meanwhile, remember that you can like CarterMatt on Facebook for some additional information regarding the series the moment we have it. (Photo: CBS.)