Ian McKellen initially he wasn’t a fan Patrick Stewart joining Star Trek: The Next Generation and in Stewart’s recent memoirs he reveals that McKellen advised him to refuse. In fact, Stweart said McKellen “was almost physically prevented” from signing the contract.
Stewart wrote in his book: “When I told him I would sign the contract, he almost physically prevented me from doing so. NO!’ He said. «No, you don’t have to do that. You must not. You have too much important theater work to do. You can’t throw it away to make TV. You can not. NO!'”
The Jean-Luc Picard actor continued, “There are few people, especially when it comes to acting, whose advice I trust more than Ian’s, but this time I had to tell him that I felt theater would return to my life whenever I had it was ready, while an offer for the leading role in an American television series may never come again.”
Stewart goes on to explain that McKellen “shook his head sadly” as he went ahead and accepted the role. McKellen wished him good luck and gave him “a big hug.”
Stewart went on to say that McKellan eventually admitted he was wrong: “In the years since, we have become dear friends and colleagues on ‘X-Men,’ and Ian has recognized that he was wrong and I was right. More than once, in fact, mostly because I like making him say those words.
The role of Captain Picard proved to be one of Stewart’s most iconic. Fans love him in the role and Stewart loves playing the character, which is evident from the fact that he wants to reprise his role in a new version. Star Trek movie.
Via: Variety
by Joey Paur
Source: Geek Tyrant
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