Wesley Snipes, Jenny Agutter And Michael O'Gorman Almost Cast For STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION!


 
A recently released memo from Paramount reveals that "Star Trek: The Next Generation" could have had a much different cast if the studio had been able to sign the actors that it had on it's initial 'wish list'.

According to the document, the top candidates for the roles were as follows, Patrick Stewart for Picard, Lianne Langland for Tasha Yar, Mark Lindsay Chapman for Data, Michael O'Gorman for Ryker (Riker), LeVar Burton for Geordie La Forge, Anne Twomey for Beverly Crusher, Denise Crosby for Deanna Troi and J.D. Roth for Wesley Crusher.

Looks like they only got two of the actors that they really wanted, well, that is unless you count Denise Crosby, who ended up as Tasha, not Troi.

Other notables on the list, Jenny Augutter (Logan's Run) for Beverly Crusher, Reggie Jackson, Tim Russ (Star Trek: Voyager) and Wesley Snipes (Yes, Wesley Snipes!) as Geordie.

Names not on the list, Brent Spiner wasn't even a thought for Data, neither was Marina Sirtis for Troi, and Wil Wheaton wasn't in line for Wesley Crusher either.

Jonathan Frakes and Gates McFadden? Well, they were both third in line for William Ryker (later changed to Riker) and Beverly Crusher respectively. Though as you will see, "Gates" McFadden is listed as Cheryl McFadden (her actual name) on this memo.

From the wording of the document, several actors, whom ultimately didn't end up as actual cast members on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" seemed to be virtual 'locks' for the parts at the time it was written (April 13th, 1997).

Here is the text from the actual memo, followed by a copy of the actual memo:

TO: JOHN PIKE DATE: APRIL 13, 1987 FROM: JOHN FERRARO SUBJECT: STAR TREK/Casting

Per your request, following is a list of actors who are being considered for their respective roles in STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION.

Picard

Patrick Stewart 

Mitch Ryan 

Roy Thinnes 

Yaphet Kotto 

Patrick Bauchau

Tasha

Lianne Langland 

Julia Nickson 

Rosalind Chao 

Leah Ayers 

Bunty Bailey

Data

Mark Lindsay Chapman 

Eric Menyuk 

Kevin Peter Hall (also for Geordi) 

Kelvin Han Yee

Ryker

Michael O'Gorman 

Gregg Marx 

Jonathan Frakes 

Ben Murphy

Geordi

LeVar Burton 

Reggie Jackson 

Tim Russ 

Wesley Snipes 

Victor Love 

Chip McCallister 

Clarence Gilyard Jr. 

Kevin Peter Hall

Beverly

Anne Twomey 

Jenny Agutter 

Cheryl McFadden

Troi

Denise Crosby

Wesley

J.D. Roth

The above actors will be brought in to read for Gene Roddenberry starting next week. However, Patrick Bauchau did come in to read for Gene today for the role of "Picard." His reading was well received; he and Patrick Stewart seem to be the favorites for the role of "Picard."

For the role of "Ryker," Michael O'Gorman seems to be a favorite. He's sort of an atypical choice for the role, however, a good one.

Denise Crosby seems to be the only possibility for the role of "Troi" at this point; the same for J.D. Roth for the role of "Wesley."

There are several contenders for "Tasha," "Geordi," and "Data." However, Rosalind Chao seems to be a favorite for "Tasha"; Reggie Jackson for "Geordi"; and Mark Lindsay Chapman for "Data."

For the role of "Beverly," Cheryl McFadden is the favorite. However, her schedule may pose a problem. She's currently performing in a play in San Diego.

General reading sessions are continuing; our next one is on April 14.

cc: Jeff Hayes

Check Out:

Captain Picard’s Dark Reflection Thirsts for Power in Scott and David Tipton’s Mirror Universe Magnum Opus



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Abandoned Louisiana - The Pirate's Cove Water Park / Resort in Iowa

Image
 About ten minutes east of the city of Lake Charles are the remains of an abandoned water park . The decaying structures are clearly visible from the busy I-10 freeway and for years drivers have wondered about it's history and why it was left for dead.   The Pirate's Cove Water Park actually has a rather interesting story behind it. A story that has been repeated over and over again, unfortunately, here in Louisiana. It's just another example of how government bureaucracy in this state killed an enterprise before it could ever get off the ground. Construction on the park began in 2008 and it was scheduled to open sometime in 2010. The sprawling complex was envisioned as an oasis from the hot summer heat that would feature luxurious amenities like a 900 foot long lazy river, a giant splash pad for the kids and eventually a five star hotel. The Pirate's Cove would have been an obvious tourist destination that could have brought much needed tax dollars and employment oppo...
READ MORE »

Abandoned Louisiana - The Old Hightower Family Home in Dodson

Image
I have to admit that I have been hanging on to these photos for a couple of months now just looking for the right minute to post them. Back in November I was traveling up to El Dorado, Arkansas and I passed through the small town of Dodson. While driving through town my eyes spotted a very attractive old house up on a hill and I just had to stop and take a few photos of it. I honestly don't know the history of this house, but I'm sure some local will send me message telling me all about it (and someone did see the UPDATE ), and it's not as cool as an abandoned railroad locomotive or old movie house but it really spoke to me. I have to wonder about the people who used to live in it and how it ended up in the state it is now. Anyone can see that it was a beautiful house long ago. What happened? How did such a grand residence end up like this? Those are questions that I can't answer unfortunately.  Unfortunately a site like this isn't all that uncommon here in Louisian...
READ MORE »