Sir Patrick Stewart has opened up about returning to two of his most iconic characters, Jean-Luc Picard in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Stewart returns as the titular character in Star Trek: Picard, which first began airing in 2020. Stewart first played the role of Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation between 1987 and 1994. The new series picks up 30 years after The Next Generation left off, following Picard, now an iral. Star Trek: Picard season 2 started earlier this month, and season 3 (which was filmed back-to-back with season 2) is set to release in early 2023.
It has also been revealed that Stewart will be making an appearance in the MCU film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Stewart will once again be stepping into the role of Charles Xavier, or Professor X, leader of the X-Men. Since he first took on the role in 2000's X-Men, Stewart has appeared in seven X-Men films altogether. Though it was expected that X-Men characters would eventually make their way into the MCU since Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, Stewart's return was somewhat of a surprise for fans as his iteration of Professor X has died a few times throughout the X-Men films. However, if there is anything audiences have learned from Spider-Man: No Way Home, it's that with Doctor Strange's magic, anything is possible.
In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Stewart opened up about his experience returning to two iconic roles in such a short amount of time. For Stewart, he finds returning to these roles challenging, as he wants to make sure they aren't repetitive for himself or the audience. According to Stewart, he decided to return to these roles based on whether "the script has an entirely original aspect." Stewart goes on to say how as an actor, he has to fully absorb and pursue these new experiences, which he its can make the lives of the people he lives with "a bit difficult." Despite this, Stewart seems to have found new experiences worth exploring in both Star Trek and Doctor Strange. See his full quote below:
One lies enormously on the quality of the script and how unique and original it is. If the script has an entirely original aspect, that is what you absorb. It is full of new experiences but you have to pursue those new experiences and take them on board. You have to experience them as fully as possible. It can sometimes make lives of the people you live with a little bit difficult but I find it's the only way one can do it.
Stewart has also mentioned that another challenge of returning to these roles has been filming during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Stewart is now 80 years old, and due to filming Star Trek: Picard seasons 2 and 3 back-to-back, he has been "filming every week" for over a year. However, while Stewart its that it was certainly a challenge to film two seasons of a television series along with an MCU film during the pandemic, he itted that he was well looked after the whole time, and "enjoyed every minute of it."
Despite his age, Stewart shows no sign of slowing down. Picard season 3 is likely to be the series' final season, and Stewart has indicated that he intends to use his time away from the character to explore more acting opportunities. Stewart has expressed that he is particularly interested in returning to his theater roots, meaning folks may shortly be able to go see the legend in person. However, until then, Stewart is having a busy spring with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness releasing in May and Star Trek: Picard season 2 streaming now.
Source: Hindustan Times
