The Star Trek franchise has seen a topsy-turvy journey over the years with The Next Generation TV show of the late 80s being the peak era of the franchise. The story of that era with Patrick Stewart’s Jean-Luc Picard in the lead continued with four films in the 90s and early 2000s. The Next Generation storyline concluded with 2002’s Star Trek: Nemesis.
The film unfortunately received negative reviews as it did not have the vibe and energy of a Star Trek film. Jonathan Frakes who played fan-favorite character William Riker in the Star Trek franchise opened up about why the film failed to resonate with audiences, while also criticizing director Stuart Baird for his arrogant nature.
Jonathan Frakes Does Not Like How Stuart Baird Handled The Production of Star Trek: Nemesis
After the 90s Star Trek films which mostly received mixed reviews from critics, the franchise returned in 2002 with Star Trek: Nemesis. The film chronicles the crew of USS Enterprise-E including Patrick Stewart’s Jean-Luc Picard and Jonathan Frakes‘ William Riker dealing with Tom Hardy’s Shinzon who has taken over the Romulan Star Empire.
The film was majorly focused on Shinzon rather than the fan-favorite Star Trek characters that audiences have loved over the years. This unusual approach as well as the incoherent narrative left fans disappointed in the film. Frakes is also aware of fans’ criticism of the film and revealed how he offered to serve director Stuart Baird whenever he needed any help with the franchise’s lore.
In the oral history book The Fifty-Year Mission, the Star Trek actor revealed that he assured Baird that the cast is a strong ensemble and would do whatever was required to make the best film out of the material. However, the director did not approach him or enquire about anything while making the film, which Frakes interpreted as Baird’s arrogance. Frakes said (via SlashFilm),
I remember calling him and saying, ‘If there’s anything I can do to help you, I’ve been around these people for all these years.’ And I think in the same phone call I said, ‘We’re really here to help. You’ll find that we’re a very strong team and we know how to do this and we’re really happy to help make the best movie you can.’ And he didn’t pick up either of those offers. In retrospect, it seems like arrogance. Why wouldn’t you accept that kind of offer?
The Picard clone approach with Shinzon, although intriguing, did not eventually deliver the much-needed intensity and catharsis that the film wanted the audience to feel. Star Trek: Nemesis was a big box office flop grossing only $67 million against a $60 million budget (via Box Office Mojo). It remains one of the worst entries in the franchise.
Tom Hardy Did Not Interact With Anyone While Working On Star Trek: Nemesis
Tom Hardy starred in Star Trek: Nemesis in one of his early acting roles in the industry. He played Shinzon, a younger clone of Patrick Stewart‘s Picard, and was the main antagonist of the film. The two stars, however, did not develop a great rapport on set due to Hardy’s solitary and non-verbal behavior.
In Stewart’s new memoir Making It So, he detailed how Hardy did not engage or greet anyone he met on the set of the film. He spent most of his time in his trailer with his girlfriend. Therefore, for Stewart, it was incredibly hard to establish a connection with Hardy that would benefit the film. The Picard actor said (via Insider),
Tom wouldn’t engage with any of us on a social level. Never said, ‘Good morning,’ never said, ‘Goodnight,’ and spent the hours he wasn’t needed on set in his trailer with his girlfriend…He was by no means hostile — it was just challenging to establish any rapport with him.
Stewart even believed that Hardy would never make it big in the industry and was incredibly happy when Hardy proved him wrong. The actor returned as Picard in his own show that concluded last year on a high note with its third season. Fans can watch Star Trek: Nemesis on Max.
