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September 6th, 2009
02:49 PM ET
Stewart may return to 'X-Men,' closes door on 'Star Trek'[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/06/art.stewart.jpg%5D A long line, something of a Dragon*Con mainstay, stretched across the third floor of Atlanta, Georgia's, Marriott Marquis hotel, all the way into the skywalk which connects into the Hyatt Regency across the street on Saturday. Another mainstay of the convention: asking "What is this line for?" was repeatedly answered with "Patrick Stewart." One convention staffer described it as a game of "human Tetris" in order to get as many of the thousands lined up to see the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "X-Men" star into the hotel's enormous ballroom as possible. In a talk show interview setting, Stewart fielded questions about his career and memories of his tenure as captain of the Enterprise. He was barely aware of "Trek" when he got the role and was "guaranteed" by friends and others that the show wouldn't work. He discussed how horribly uncomfortable the show's uniforms were originally, leading his doctor to contact the production office demanding that they be changed. When asked about fellow convention guests Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner, Stewart talked about how much he respected Nimoy. As for Shatner, he paused and said, "He's a piece of work, isn't he?" He was also particularly pleased to be able to recall the plots of some favorite episodes mentioned from the titles. When the discussion turned to "X-Men," Stewart, who had a cameo as a younger Professor Charles Xavier in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," said that from what he had heard, audiences have probably not seen the last of the professor. He mentioned he recently co-starred in a production of "Waiting for Godot" with Ian McKellen and the two agreed that they would like continue exploring the relationship between Xavier and McKellen's "X-Men" character Magneto. As for that other franchise, Stewart thought that this summer's reboot of "Star Trek" was "terrific," but didn't see a future for Jean-Luc Picard in the franchise, leaving open only the possibility that he would agree to do a cameo in a sequel. Stewart mentioned a proposed final "Next Generation" film, but after the disappointing box office for "Star Trek: Nemesis," it never materialized. "I feel that I have left behind a legacy as Picard," he said. "In my head and heart, I've moved on."
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Patrick Stewart is dating a 31 year old waitress from Brooklyn who is younger than his own daughter.
Shatner has all the class.
My guess is I love this man and I making a movie soon and I want him to make a star on Halloween I will be Professor Claire Lauren Xavier and I did an portrait of him in H’Art.
I think Stewart's comment was in jest, since the entire cast seems to love parodying Shatner a lot anyway – including Shatner himself, for that matter.
I always hold Kirk as the more interesting captain, since TNG began to suck horribly when it became "hippie utopia happy scrappy in space". During TOS, space was dangerous and fun, and the Klingons were just as dangerous as the Romulans. The new movie brought back what was fun about TOS, and I love it. I will always say, the 24th century era of Star Trek was best as DS9, and the ST TOS and movies are always going to be the most classic. Nobody was as good a character as the Enterprise Crew in the classic series.
Plus, the worst thing about TNG? Wesley Crusher. Even Wil Wheaton hated him, since he was such a bloody annoying character stand-in for Gene Roddenberry.
I really respect Stewart.
And while I liked the reboot (I have to think of it as an alternate universe), I think that Peter David's New Frontier books would be a great series or movie. Picard would have a reocurring role. if you have not read them, you should, they are a treat! How about Gilles Marini, or Adrian Paul as Mackenzie Calhoun? Any one know what I mean?
Why aren't the actors from Deep Space Nine ever mentioned? I liked Captain Sisko very much.
Would someone please tell me (a fan of the original ST) why Bones was on the bridge so much??? LOL – his station was down in sick bay and he was on the bridge almost more than Spock!! LOL...
They say that his skill with a knife is exceeded only by his mastery of the baliset.
Sir Ian and Patrick Stewart need to be cast in Brian Singer's new Battlestar Galactica movie. Stewart needs to be Baltar!
It's too bad that jj abrams ruined Star Trek
I liked the new Star Trek that came out this summer, but at the same time, I am disappointed to see the direction Star Trek has taken. I would have liked to see more Next Generation material, and I think there's also material from Voyager and Deep Space 9 they could still work with.
Patrick Stewart was great in his role as Captain Picard. Star Trek: The Next Generation, for me, is more epic than the original Star Trek, and it's sad to think that we won't see any more of it.
Patrick Stewart is a great actor in general, too, and I have much respect for him.
Here's to Captain Picard– The best Captain in Star Trek ever.
TNG deserved a much better send off than Nemesis. But there will always be "All Good Things..."
Which captain would you want with you in a scrap?
Tiberius. Natch.
Which captain would you want with you at a delicate negotiation?
Picard. Natch.
Different takes on being captain of the Enterprise, equally valid and wonderfully different.
What I can't get is people accusing Shatner of being egotistical. Do you actually watch TV? Have you seen Priceline commercials? Have you seen Shatner in that Lampoon movie? That is a man who definitely does not take himself too seriously. He may not be the latte drinking fan-boys idea of the perfect Comicon interaction, but a man who is full of himself (professionally) he is not. Stewart _IS_ a far better actor and may hold your hand better at an interview, but that doesn't make him the better Captain.
Anthony in Alabama wrote "what better example than Seven-of-Nine. A little girl wrapped up in an Orion females body."
Where did this come from? From what I remember she was a human girl taken and assimilated by the Borg asa a child.
To me, the thing that makes Star trek so great is that each series could stand on it's own and be great even if it was different than the others. There really has never been another series in movies or TV that pulled that off. I have never understood why people find it neccesary to constantly compare them. Kirk, Picard and Janeway were all fun to watch for different reasons. I think Rodenberry was brilliant when he made each Captain nothing like the others. We are opened minded enough to allow them to all co-exist in our universe right?
The guy can poke fun at himself. Check out the episode of Ricky Gervais' Extras that he was in. Hilarious.
After a rest of about 5-10 years, maybe a new generation will have some interest in revisioning the Star Trek series.. just as the 60s eps represented their time, the late 80s, and 90s, theirs.. there will need to be a better bridging of the gaps between what is today and our future as space faring humans. Films about old grudges & villians is getting to cliche so there needs to be more fresh ideas. Certainly, now that trek opened the door to time travel, we could see new things pop up there.. to find the 'right' actors for a new series will be tough, and the franchise squanders interest when they get it 'wrong' (enterprise). I know this sounds gorey, but we should see a movie surrounding wwiii and star trek– maybe they can blame the borg?
I am old enough to have been an original trekie, but when I was a kid I thought it was a stooopid show, I am a fan of QUALITY sci fi books too but just hated the orig trek, however on a lark I watched an episode of ST next generation and was hooked right off the bat by stewarts portrayal and by the 2d season they had consistently good writing and the rodenberry vision was spot on! I haven't watched the other SC franchises much and have never been interested in the cons and such but this guy really filled the character that was written and gave it a depth that is rare in TV, oh yeah and the long haired bald look in dune was HOT!
The real importance, to me, of ST and TNG was they showed the people of earth a future that is both full of promise and also something to really be proud of. A race of people that put all of their petty concerns, and jealousies behind them as they embraced a united planet where people could excel, and pursue their dreams, wherever they might go. Hopefully our current society can survive and achieve the same results. Stewart is truly and great actor in any medium, stage, screen or television. Shatner was the first Captain. Without him there would not be a next one.
While I adore Patrick Stewart (whose Picard was a much better character than Kirk and Stewart is a superb actor in every role) my favourite Trek series is by far Deep Space Nine. Why? Because it confronted so many issues which we continue to face in society (religion,bigotry,the use of terrorism against an occupying force,etc) that the other Treks just didn't touch or go indepth.
Whats the big fight over Stewart was ST for his time,and Shatner was pure 60s. Every ST has it's good points STV ,STDS both add to the dreams of a better mankind coming up.Enjoy them all or just the ones you want but give room to the other ST fans.But the best ST movie was the wrath of Khan.
As for Shatner, the wonderfully looney (and sometimes brilliant) "Boston Legal" with its anti-Bush rants would never have been so successful without Shatner. He WAS Denny Crane.
Well, let's talk entertainment. We love both Captains, et al. Really? Yes we named our son Jean Luc. What's next?
I sure wish that Paramount had given the TNG cast the chance they gave the TOS cast with Star Trek VI. After Star Trek V flopped, they could have pulled the plug but they didn't and the TOS cast went out on a decent film. Nemesis wasn't a good finish to the best Trek ever.
New Kirk was great, but I wish we could have New Kirk and Old Picard too.
Star Trek with Shatner ran for three years.
Period.
X-Men is mediocre.
Star Trek with Patrick Stewart is great.
Actors sometimes fail to realize their own greatness. Witness Brando.
TiberiusLives are you serious? It sounds like you've got Shatner and Stewart mixed up. I've personally met both. Stewart was nothing short of polite and a gentleman. Shatner...well, even the thought of our encouter is upsetting.
And lets not forget his numerous camios on American Dad and Family Guy.
Stewart did a great job in other roles Star Trek, from a bit part in Excalibar to Othello, that made him a great actor in ST:TNG. And he didn't have to take his shirt off every week.
Yes Stewart's statement about Shatner was made in jest.
Will always be the original series fan, except for one character but one of the funniest shows I have ever seen is the episode of Frasier where Patrick was this gay artest or entertainer (cannot remember) who "Fell" for Frasier and with Stewart's beautiful accent and Frasier's pomposity and having to give up a high spot in society because Stewarr's gayness, was just hilarious!! Takes 2 great actors to pull thatoff!! .....
Did the latest Trek movie seek to reprise the original or TNG? The original, of course, and for good reason. The chemistry in the original was what made it work so well. TNG was good, but it never had that kind of chemistry.
Comparing Stewart as an actor to Shatner as an actor is like comparing meals prepared by Julia Child to Big Macs. Each meal by Julia would have been different; each Big Mac is the same. Remember Stewart's portrayal of Sejanus on I Claudius? Pure evil.
>"Remember that he [Shatner] brought this on himself by telling ST fans to get a life."
Are you referring to the Saturday Night Live skit?
Stewart has an ego the size of the Rock of Gibralter. This guy would be doing dinner theater in some pub for all his condescending attitude about Star Trek. He lucked out and should be glad it saved his career. Shatner has been able to poke fun at himself. I doubt Stewart has any humor in him.
A Star Trek movie needs to be made with the next generation cast and the new cast!!!!!
Stewart did a great job in star trek and the x-men franchise as well as other films...I'm kind of turned off by him bad mouthing Shatner. It seems sort of petty and gossipy. I'm sure he is better than that.
I'm confused. Why did Stewart take a shot at Shatner? They don't even work together except for that one time. Where did this hate toward Shatner come from? I can understand if Shatner did something to him personally in a working relationship where they disagree on and came to blow but I've never heard anything like that happening between the 2.
But if you just don't particularly like someone out of personally prejudice which a lot of people seem to do toward Shatner, wouldn't it be polite to just not leave a comment toward Shatner. Kind of disrespectful to take a pot shot at another collegue in a field of audience.
TNG was nothing but snore trek. That's why the movies went back to Kirk and Spock.
There is a place in Star Trek fandom for both Shatner and Stewart. They are both brilliant actors and BOTH of them are important in the Star Trek universe.
For me, his very few lines and more weighted character-mannerisms were one of the more remarkable performances of "Excaliber"... That's the first time I'd laid eyes on him as an actor. One of those actors for who understand that often less truly is more... (Something Shatner will never understand, God bless him.)
I am sad to hear that Patrick Stewart has put Star Trek behind him. Granted the latest movie in the Star Trek franchise has left the future to be a blank page and the Federation's history to be rewritten; but he could still have some role as an ambassador or something else in the parallel universe created by the last movie.
Actually, I think that Mr. Stewart was just giving Shatner some grief.
They were both being interviewed while making their film together ("Star Trek: Generations") and Shatner said, "Most of all, I have made a new friend." to which Stewart responded, "Here, here!"
In an interview for a History Channel feature on the auction of Star Trek memorabilia, Stewart joked on camera that Shatner, "still owes me dinner."
Don't take the jab too seriously. I believe they are still good friends.
For those of us who were here for the original and TNG; I will say that Shatner was/is an egotical selfcentered, must be center of attention blowhard who kept Star Trek from evolving most especially with the other characters. Come on Who is a better sudo-pirate than Sulu! Stewart realized that even with his pedigree of stage acting it takes a team to make a story. His fellow characters must be developed to show the maturity and evolution of his character. Yes Gene developed Star Trek, but TNG re-introduced us to what the world could be in the future. I still believe that Voyager does not get the credit it deserves; what better example than Seven-of-Nine. A little girl wrapped up in an Orion females body. Wow! thats the best reason to watch Voyager!
Shatner MADE Star Trek. All you haters are missing the point. His alpha male bravado made TNG possible. Without his hoisting the Jolly Roger all around the galaxy in outrageous fashion, Stewart would never have read a Trek script (nor likely would any of us have heard of the original).
Another point in Shatner's favor...no TNG movie (or any other Trek movie) holds a candle to Wrath of Khan, and that was a Shatner/Ricard M showcase. The Borg gave us chills, but Khan gave us Melville.
Any man that can make Priceline commercials, as goofy as they are, does NOT take himself too seriously.
I like Stewart the same as the rest of you, but I dont have to disparage Shatner to do it. They both made the role their own, and it worked very well for both. May they both live long and prosper.
I was in attendance at Dragoncon during his discussion and he was very inspiring. Mr. Henry Hanks left out the part that Shatner is a good friend of Stewart and that Shatner had sent him a get-well card while he was in the hospital.
Patrick Stewart is a great actor. In response to Jason's comment, it's not Kirk people hate, it's Shatner. The character of Kirk is great, but the person of Shatner is not. All his fellow actors have remarked on how self-absorbed and hurtful he was / could be, and how he would never share the limelight. Stewart on the other hand is someone we can respect both for the character he plays, his depth as an actor, and his qualities as a human being.
Star Wars is all that matters. All this other stuff is worthless.
Thats not just an actors bravado either. From what I heard, he and his mates could clear a good tavern brawl as well.
I've been lucky enough to see him in A Christmas Carol, Macbeth, and the Ride Down Mt. Morgan (twice). He is an incredible actor who totally commands the stage. And he's a really nice guy, too. Thank you, Mr. Stewart!
Picard sucks compared to Kirk. Sorry but that's the truth..
Shatner is my captain and always will be. I never understood the whole PC Frenchie captain guy. TNG – not as good as TOS not in any way except for maybe the geek factor.
Stewart is a great actor and I suppose Shatner is somewhat egotistical. But the original Star Trek was the best and had the best cast. It has the best chemistry between the characters. Next Generation took itself too seriously and way overdid the techno babble. Shatner and Nimoy are Star Trek. We'll never see another movie focused on Next Gen. Have you seen Shatner in Boston Legal? He's brilliant! Shatner is probably not as good an actor as Stewart but so what.
To Jason,
Patrick Stewart was established in his own right before Trek. He just became more widely known. He definitely already had plenty of notoriety before hand.
Patrick brought integrity to Star Trek through his portrayal as Cpt. Picard. In his role he allowed the character to grow and learn without compromising his values. Everything Patrick does is extraordinary. Moby Dick especially. I would personally like to see a scene in a future ST movie where he has forgotten who he is and has to be reminded through a series of incidents.
I think Patrick Stewart is a great actor, and that he did a great job in the XMen movies, but I thought his character as Picard was one of the most boring and tedious roles in the Trek series. I don't fault him for playing the role he was given, but the TNG writers made the crew out to be so wishy-washy. Like a bunch of tea drinking snobs. His stage work is brilliant, and I've loved him in just about every other film he's been in.
"Nemesis" was obviously written strictly for the Trek fan-base, not geared towards the mainstream geek audience. TNG's ratings had been sinking long before "Nemesis" went on-screen, so it was no small wonder that it didn't do well.
Two words: "Safe House".
Just as Whoopi Goldberg's best movie performance my be "The Telephone", Stewart's best US movie may be Safe House. Both movie's are underrated but both performances are entrancing. Try them both.
So why bring up Whoopi? If Stewart reprises and brings Data, he needs to bring Mr. Barkley (Dwight Schultz) and Guinan (Whoopi) as well. Two of the STNG characters with the greatest depth and/or appeal.
He was also great as the doctor who ran a loony bin in "Life Force."
I will forever love Patrick Stewart for giving me a hero to look up to. For playing a role (Picard) that gave me the chance to hope to believe in a prosperous future. For being a man of such personal character that the mention of his name causes me to stand up straighter. Thank you Mr. Stewart for all you continue to do, and especially if you and your good crew should ever return to the screen for one last mission. (Maybe something involving Q)
Thanks to you Bill Shatner fans. He WAS Star Trek, he and Leonard Nimoy. Stewart is a fine actor, but in his own genre....Long live Bones, Scotty and Chekov. The last shall be forgotten.
Stewart is one of my favorite actors. To anyone who has not seen him in 1981's Excalibur, I recomment it!
And it's pretty obvious from his recurring role as Bullock in American Dad, that he's got a sense of humor. You'd expect someone with his credentials and ability to take himself pretty seriously, and it's refreshing to see that he doesn't.
Jason, first of all ST was not a smash hit until the 70s, and even then it happened gradually. And it was arguably more from Roddenberry's vision than anything else. Second, I think more people bash the off-screen Shatner rather than the on-screen Shatner. (Remember that he brought this on himself by telling ST fans to get a life.) And when they do mock his acting, it's usually good-natured ribbing. Even Shat has made fun of himself at times. Stewart, on the other hand, played a huge role in bringing more critical appreciation to the Star Trek landscape.
Love Stewart's work. Also, let's not forget his portrayal of Gurney Halleck in DUNE, giving him the geek franchise hat trick.
He is so brilliant as Charles Xavier (As well as Ian Mckellan as Magneto). They both capture the essence of those classic characters, and I would love to see them on film in another X Men film. I wonder how he felt about Disney's purchase of Marvel?
He definitely is a classy and talented man, and I hope to see more of his work hit the big screen!
Why do we dislike Shatner so much? Because he's a petty, self-obsessed buffoon.
a legend of our time ive seen at least 8 movies not including star trek with him such as conspiracy theory he is great good luck with the career (locutus of borg) Have you heard hes going to be in the castelvania movie next year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Such a terrific Shakespearean actor... Lets not forget, he played Gurney Halleck, warrior-minstrel in the original Dune as well as one of the Knights from the Round Table in Excalibur. Thats some great geek credentials!
The best night of theater I have ever experienced was Patrick Stewart's one-man version of A Christmas Carol. Who knew either Stewart or this ghost story could be so funny?!
In the hopes that Mr. Stewart will see this: Please, you must repeat your role as Picard: either as Capt. Admiral, Ambassador, or what ever you choose. Captain Picard is a legend who ranks up there with Kirk. The universe wouldn't be the same without either of them...... Oh, and bring Data back with you Capt.
I am sad, but In Picard We Trust. I suppose the tng repeats will have to do.
I don't know why everybody beats up on Shatner. He was Star Trek for so many decades. I don't know where all of these Shatner haters came from. I have to hand it to the guys who put Kirk, Spock, "Bones" and Scotty together. It worked so well for so long. Yes, Stewart was great in his role and in many ways, Star Trek The Next Generation was better than the original. However if the original hadn't been such a smash hit for so long, there would have been no role for Stewart to play and he may still be an unknown. I am guessing that the Shatner haters are largely not old enough to have been around at the beginning of Star Trek. Why don't you go hating on characters from your generation?
I personally feel that Patrick Stewart is one of the driving forces in film which will bring us into the new age "2012." He played the part of the type of leader it will take to get mankind to the next level of evolution. Integrity, Loyalty, Trust, etc... Principles which I feel have been lost or never surfaces on many shows today. I look forward to the new X-men only if he is a part of it.
Thanks
Isis-Kali
He also starred as a Roman general in I Claudius on public television, he was excellent there too. Few actors have a stage presence this man commands. He rocks.
Goo for you Mr. Hanks. You stood in a very long line.
One of the best actors of our time, not only for his well known Star Trek, but his Shakespeare renditions are truly stunning, as well as Moby Dick and a Christmas Story. A wonderful person.
The man is a marvel of the modern film industry. Cheers Mate....
I love this man! He was so much better for Trek than Shatner, and there are few actors that I respect more than him. I hope he continues to get a lot of work because I'd love to see more of him.