“If I had gotten the role… I would have been in television more than film”: Deadpool & Wolverine Star Nearly Snatched LeVar Burton’s Role in Star Trek: The Next Generation

The one and only Blade, Wesley Snipes, who recently made waves with his return in the MCU’s latest offering, Deadpool & Wolverine, almost had a completely different destiny. Fans are having a hard time imagining a universe where Snipes wasn’t slicing through vampires, but was instead donning the visor of Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

It’s quite an intriguing what-if scenario, given that Snipes nearly landed the role that LeVar Burton made iconic. Had Snipes taken on that role, it could have dramatically altered the trajectory of his career, leading to a whole different chapter in his very iconic journey through Hollywood.

Wesley Snipes Was Close to Being Cast as Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation

Recently, Wesley Snipes made a spectacular return to the big screen as Blade in Deadpool & Wolverine, thrilling fans and proving once again why he’s a fan favorite. However, turns out, Snipes almost took a detour into the galaxy far, far away, or rather, into the world of Star Trek.

According to a memo acquired by Slice of Scifi, (more on that later) Snipes was once in the running for the role of Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation. The casting memo from Paramount Television listed Snipes as a contender for the iconic role, which eventually went to LeVar Burton. 

Snipes, who has since opened up about the experience, admitted he was quite disappointed when he didn’t land the part. It’s intriguing to think about how different Snipes’ career might have been if he had traded his vampire-slaying sword for a starship. In an interview with Collider, he revealed,

Yes, that is true. I think that was in the eighties. Yeah. And was disappointed that I didn’t get it. Not as disappointed as I was not getting the role in the first Coming To America, but that actually turned out pretty good. Because I think if I had gotten the role that I would have been in television more than film, and maybe would have been never got a chance to do everything else I’ve done.

He further added, speaking of Burton ultimately getting the role,

It was close. But yeah, a greater actor than I went on to make it famous. I applaud him, my friend, great and wonderful.

It’s a fun “what if” that adds an intriguing twist to Wesley Snipes’ already multifaceted career.

Meet the Cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation from an Alternate Dimension!

The Star Trek universe fans know and love might have looked quite different if things had gone another way. A  rather interesting memo discovered by Slice of Scifi from April 1987, sent to the Head of Network TV at Paramount, revealed some intriguing casting tidbits about Star Trek: The Next Generation, which was set to debut later that year.

At the time, Patrick Stewart was already the top pick for Captain Picard, alongside another contender, Patrick Bauchau. As already mentioned a young Wesley Snipes was in the mix for Geordi La Forge, a part that eventually went to LeVar Burton, though Reggie Jackson was also considered. But here’s where it gets really interesting, Brent Spiner wasn’t even on the radar for the role of Data, which he famously ended up with.

On the other hand, Jenny Agutter had a read for the role of Dr. Beverly Crusher, and there was no sign yet of Wil Wheaton, who would later become known for playing Wesley Crusher. It’s wild to think about how different the crew might have been if these casting choices had panned out differently!

Star Trek: The Next Generation is streaming on Paramount+