Missing Star Trek Legend
How do you feel about Star Trek? Fans around the globe were over the moon when they discovered the legendary space adventure franchise was getting a facelift. J.J. Abrams was set to reboot the series into a steller new trilogy. But amidst all the excitement, something was missing. Jonathan Frakes, famous for playing the character William T. Riker in The Next Generation (TNG) series, was nowhere to be seen. Let’s dive into the mystery behind this surprising absence.
The Disappointment of the Absence
The Star Trek community was buzzing in anticipation when they heard about the reboot of their beloved series. All were eager to see the old gang back together, especially the TNG crew. However, disappointment set in when the much-expected William T. Riker, played by Frakes, was notably absent. The absence of this fan-favorite character was a letdown for many.
Speaking to NBC 10 Philadelphia, Frakes revealed his wish to reunite with the TNG crew in the reboot project. His excitement was tangible, making it clear that the decision not to reprise his role was not his.
Frakes’ Hopes for Return
Frakes was full of hope after watching the first movie. He was looking forward to returning to Star Trek, even sketching out a plan for his potential re-entry into the story. He shared a vision of making a comeback similar to Leonard Nimoy’s role in the first film. Frakes thought of basing it on the concept of time-travel or quantum anomalies, or some other sci-fi idea.
Yet, his hopes and plans did not materialize. To the disappointment of Trekkies everywhere, the reason for his absence was never explained.
Return in Star Trek: Picard
In spite of his absence from the reboot trilogy, there is a reason to be joyous. Frakes managed to return to Star Trek through the series, ‘Star Trek: Picard’. Although his character did not feature in the reboot films, seeing him reprising his role on another platform has brought comfort to fans.
This comeback could indeed be a relief, soothing the disappointment of fans who felt his absence in the film series keenly. It might even ease the criticism that Abrams faced for his decision to exclude Frakes.
Conclusion
The Star Trek trilogy is a brilliant reinterpretation of iconic characters. However, the absence of one beloved character was keenly felt by fans around the world. Jonathan Frakes’ William T. Riker was not present in Abrams’ reboot of the franchise. Despite Frakes’ eagerness and enthusiasm to reprise his role, he was unable to take part in this new version of the story for unknown reasons.
On a positive note, his return in ‘Star Trek: Picard’ has been soothing for dedicated fans. It offers a degree of solace, cushioning the blow of his initial omission and possibly encouraging forgiveness towards Abrams for this oversight.
As of now, you can catch ‘The Next Generation’ on Netflix, while the rebooted Star Trek trilogy can be viewed on Paramount+. Despite the bumps along the way, the journey of Star Trek continues to fascinate and draw us into its mesmerizing universe.
And so, the story of Jonathan Frakes and his desire to return to the Star Trek trilogy remains, a tale of plans, hopes and a bit of mystery. Stay tuned for more updates from your favorite interstellar franchise.
For more details, visit Project Casting Blog on https://www.projectcasting.com/blog/news/jonathan-frakes-expresses-desire-to-return-to-star-trek-trilogy-but-plans-dont-materialize/