Jonathan Frakes is an American actor and director, well known for his role as Commander Willliam Ryker in the popular television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. The actor then reprised his role in many of the series in the Star Trek franchise, making quite a name in the process. The actor even directed while starring in Star Trek: First Contact, and has also directed more than 70 television series episodes, including some of the Star Trek series.
After Star Trek 4‘s delay in development due to many factors, Frakes offered his aid by asking J.J. Abrams to allow him to direct the movie.
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Jonathan Frakes wants to direct Star Trek 4
Star Trek 4, which was originally scheduled to release somewhere in 2023, was removed from the schedule due to several factors. In such a time of need, Jonathan Frakes, who was responsible for directing 1996’s Star Trek: First Contact and 1998’s Star Trek: Insurrection, offered his aid to the director and producer of Star Trek, J.J. Abrams.
Besides the movies, Jonathan Frakes had a hand even in several Star Trek television series, helming a bunch of episodes.
In an interview with Trek Movie, Frakes revealed how his conversation with Abrams went regarding his offer to helm the recently shelved movie.
“I actually wrote to J.J. to say ‘If you need an experienced guy to take over Star Trek 4, I’m available,’ He said, ‘You are certainly experienced.'”
However, when asked if there could be any succession with the idea of Frakes directing the film, he talked about other directors who asked for the same. “Well no, that’s not going to happen,” Frakes said.
“But I was fascinated when [Quentin] Tarantino wanted to do a Star Trek movie. And Noah Hawley too, I am a huge Fargo fan. His brain with our characters in our world, and what would Tarantino do? Just the idea of it is wild.”
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When asked if he was serious about sailing the old ship again, the Devil’s Gate actor replied positively, mentioning both his careers of acting and directing were blessed after he took a role in the Star Trek franchise.
The reason for the delay of Star Trek 4
The idea for a fourth sequel was announced after the release of Star Trek Beyond, which was the third installment in the franchise. The film was supposed to cast Chris Hemsworth to reprise his role as George Kirk. However, negotiations led to stalling of the film, after which Hemsworth backed out blaming the underwhelming script.
Star Trek turned a new leaf with a completely different storyline in 2020 after Noah Hawley, Fargo’s showrunner took over. However, history repeated with another stalling, which Hawley blamed on Paramount Studio’s politics.
“I think when [new Paramount Pictures president Emma Watts] came in, she took a look at the franchise and wanted to go in a different direction with it,” Hawley said.
While Star Trek 4 was then announced to be helmed by WandaVision’s director Matt Shakman with a release date of December 2023, fate played tricks again as the script for the movie was not yet confirmed. As luck would have it, Shakman pulled out to direct Marvel’s upcoming Fantastic Four reboot, and even Star Trek 4 was removed from its original schedule of release and now is left shelved.
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Jonathan Frakes would be reprising his role once again as he appears in the third final season of Picards along with his co-stars. The actor hinted it may not be his last time playing the character.
“Maybe not final…,” he teased.
Star Trek: Picards Seasons 1 and 2 are currently available for streaming at Paramount+. The third season is scheduled to be out on February 16, 2023.
Source: Trek Movie
