SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – SEPTEMBER 21: Mark Strong attends the ‘Kingsman: The Golden Circle’ press conference at Yongsan CGV on September 21, 2017 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images)
Mark Strong as Captain Jean-Luc Picard
The French Captain, with the English accent, Captain Picard is by far the hardest character in the series to recast. Looking back it’s amazing that JJ Abrams was able to cast an actor as well suited to Captain Kirk as Chris Pine, It’s actually an accomplishment, that could have gone horribly wrong.
An accomplished diplomat, star in academics and physical education, amateur archeologist (who could have gone pro), wine maker, tactician, and team builder, Jean-Luc Picard was an essential character to the success of Star Trek The Next Generation. Landing an actor the calibre of Patrick Steward to bring him to life was a nearly unparalleled boon for the new series.
As difficult as it is to fill his shoes, especially since he doesn’t seem to age, and is actually still playing the role in the upcoming Star Trek: Picard on CBS-All Access, we’re going to go ahead, however for this casting we’re breaking the mold and dropping the one pick, one honourable mention process and going with three picks.
Mark Strong would, as his name suggests, make a strong Captain Picard, he’s got an impressive resume and range. Many fans will know him from The Kingsman series in which he plays Merlin, a higher up in a secret British spy agency. The character actually seems to translate well to Captain Picard as would many of his other credits.
Overall a great choice, but what about….
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 10: Ewen McGregor attends the Premiere Of Disney Pictures And Lucasfilm’s “Solo: A Star Wars Story” – Arrivals on May 10, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Ewan McGregor as Captain Jean-Luc Picard
It seems hard to believe when. you look at them, but Ewan McGregor is actually the same age as Patrick Stewart was when he first stepped out of the turbolift onto the bridge of the Enterprise D.
Best known for his role as Obi Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy which is just one character in an impressive list of credits to his name. There’s no denying that Ewan McGregor has the talent to pull this character off, and having taken on Star Wars and come out of it asking for more there’s no doubt he could handle the Star Trek fan base.
Ewan McGregor would make a great Captain Picard, BUT how can we forget….
SAN DIEGO, CA – JULY 11: Actor James McAvoy attends the 20th Century Fox press room during Comic-Con International 2015 at the Hilton Bayfront on July 11, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
James McAvoy as Captain Jean-Luc Picard
You didn’t think I was going to say Tom Hardy did you?
These days it’s impossible to have anyone but James McAvoy play a younger version of a Patrick Stewart character, after all even if you don’t offer it to him he’ll show up on twitter and ask for the part as he did in response to Patrick Stewart’s announcement that work on Star Trek: Picard had officially begun.
Patrick Steward James McAvoy Twitter
We know he’s an accomplished actor, even though he’s ten years younger than Patrick Stewart was when he took on the role, we’d be willing to look the other way to have McAvoy continue his career path as the young Patrick Stewart.
We don’t know yet if a Kelvin version of Star Trek The Next Generation is in the cards, but let’s hope Paramount does something to move the movie side of Star Trek forward soon.