Last year, Star Trek actor William Shatner became the oldest man in space at the age of 91. But would his Star Trek successors, the cast of The Next Generation, follow him into the great expanse? No, all of them would.
In an interview with Sirius XM’s Ron Bennington, the returning cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation were asked if they would follow Shatner’s lead and visit space. Brought together again for the new release of Picard Season 3, the group was asked about travelling into space.
Two of the foursome were revealed that they would absolutely go into space. Captain William Riker actor Jonathan Frakes and Beverley Crusher actor Gates McFadden immediately answered that they would follow Shatner into the great beyond.
“If you’re paying,” McFadden said.
On the opposite side, Captain Jean-Luc Picard actor Patrick Stewart and Worf actor Michael Dorn both said “no” to the opportunity.
“I wouldn’t do it,” Stewart said. “I thought about it and at first I was like, ‘Bugger! Why wasn’t I asked to do this?’ No.”
Michael Dorm’s reaction was a lot more reserved. The Worf actor argued that “it’s not really space, is it? I would not do it.”
“When they were doing the testing, I used to watch that. And they got into trouble a few times where they were like: ‘We don’t know if they’re going to come back.’ And I went, ‘No.’”
McFadden responded that the experience may be worth the risk. “But the chance to see Earth from space, I mean, every astronaut, every person who has gone into space, has talked about this profound effect that you realise you’re this tiny, tiny person that parts of this much-bigger-than-you thing. I think that’s an experience that’s got to be… well, that’s Nirvana.”
“When it’s a bit safer, though,” Dorn interjected. “I don’t that feeling to be the last feeling I have.”
Last year, William Shatner’s reaction upon his return to Earth was monumental. The actor beautifully expressed how his trip was more existential than expected. His speech was sadly cut short by a rudely interrupting Jeff Bezos. Prior to his journey, the actor even appeared to have a public breakdown at an event.
Shatner has since discussed his journey at length. The actor revealed that his short stint above the Earth made him more aware of the way humans treat the planet, urging that something be done to stop pollution.
Tickets to space with Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin are extremely expensive. A ticket per person is currently priced at an eye-watering $1.25 million. While celebrities such as Patrick Stewart could probably afford it, that doesn’t mean they want to.
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