Star Trek: The Next Generation is sacred ground to some, especially since all of the main characters are still willing to continue with their previous characters.
And it’s very possible we’ll see more of Admiral Picard, Captain Riker, and the remainder of the crew, especially if Jonathan Frakes’ words come true, and Star Trek: Legacy is greenlit. Either way, I don’t think we’ve seen the last of original The Next Generation crew.
When Star Trek: The Original Series wrapped on its final movie in 1991, we thought we’d seen the last of them as an entire crew, and we were wrong. We never expected Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, Lt. Commander Montgomery “Scotty” Scott, or Lt. Uhura to be recast. It didn’t occur to us at all that someone would put other actors in these renowned characters’ places. But it happened, and according to Patrick Stewart, in an interview with Wired [via Trekmovie], he unequivocably states that The Next Generation will be rebooted.
As to who could play the next Captain PIcard on Star Trek: The Next Generation, Patrick Stewart has an idea.
Stewart went on to tell Wired not only is he sure The Next Generation will get the reboot, he had an idea as to who could play the next Captain Jean-Luc Picard.
"“I mean, I already have a son. And who knows what’s going to happen to him. He could become the next Jean-Luc, and he’s a wonderful actor.”"
Stewart’s son, Daniel, has already made an appearance on The Next Generation, portraying his son, Batai, on the popular episode “The Inner Light.”
Rebooting The Next Generation would be a risky move. One wrong depiction of a character, and fans would turn away in droves. Then again, there were many fans who thought Kirk and Spock could never be portrayed by anyone other than William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. Though no actor will ever be the original Kirk and Spock, the characters have continued in the reboot movies and now on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. So while we aren’t quite ready to think about the possibility of Captain Picard, Data, Commander Riker, Geordi La Forge, Dr. Bevery Crusher, Worf, and Deanna Troi being replaced, Stewart is certain it’s something we’re going to have to face eventually.