Michael Dorn's pending retirement ends any hope of a Captain Worf series

Michael Dorn is going to call it a career sooner rather than later. At least, that's what Dorn told Star Trek Explorer Magazine. That shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. While the magic of Hollywood may have guys and gals looking decades older or younger, the fact is, that Dorn is 71 years old. He's had a long and successful career and it appears he knows he's ready to rest.

Our very own Rachel Carrington covered the news of his pending retirement, pointing out that this may be the end for Star Trek: Legacy then. After all, Dorn, who plays Worf in various Star Trek properties, was thought to be a big aspect of that new show. Maybe, maybe not. Though you'd think if you were being eyed for any modest role, the talk of retirement wouldn't reach the mainstream.

Yet it has, and so now we must start to put some thoughts to bed. Like, the idea of Star Trek: Legacy, which all but seems dead as a concept.

Another idea that is also now dead and buried is the idea of a Captain Worf series. Before Legacy popped up in the fandom as a possibility following the end of Star Trek: Picard, Worf was the character many wanted to see in a spinoff show. The series would focus on Worf as the captain of his own ship, something many fans had hopes of seeing play out to some degree in live action.

Be it in film or television, some people pushed to see it. It never gained traction with Paramount, however, and a Captain Worf series/film just never seemed to be realistically considered, if it was ever able to be pitched to the execs.

With Dorn now looking at the end of his career, Legacy and a Captain Worf series both seem like they'll fall into the emotional bin called "What Could've Been".

Still, while neither show seems likely, it is still important to point out that Dorn had a great run in Star Trek and holds the record of having appeared in the most episodes in franchise history. A record that may never fall, considering how Star Trek and other streaming series do seasons these days. You're lucky to get 10 episodes a season now, let alone the 22+ that Dorn was accustomed to.

So he can retire knowing full well that he's a franchise legend. That's something to hang your hat on.