Months before Data's evil android brother, Lore.
The comeback of the entire Next Generation cast in Star Trek: Picard season 3 is easily the biggest Star Trek event since Captain Picard met Captain Kirk (William Shatner) in Star Trek Generations, and it may even be bigger considering the indelible stamp the TNG crew has left on pop culture. At New York Comic Con, the cast of TNG legends delivered a new Star Trek: Picard trailer and teased a bit of season 3, but more than that, they unabashedly campaigned for another reunion. Patrick Stewart stoked the fires by suggesting he could be happy to come back for another TNG movie, and Jonathan Frakes doubled down on the idea by citing "a hole" in Paramount's schedule after lost its director and was removed from the studio's 2023 slate. On Twitter, Marina Sirtis and Gates McFadden are also gung-ho for another TNG comeback and are lobbying fans on Twitter to let the powers-that-be know they want more Next Generation. But why is Star Trek: The Next Generation cast already courting fan demand for another project together even though Star Trek: Picard season 3 hasn't even come out yet?
Picard Season 3 Is Meant To Be The End Of TNG
The original plan for Star Trek: Picard, which was ostensibly the desire of star Patrick Stewart when he signed on in 2018, was to run for three seasons. Further, showrunner Terry Matalas intends Star Trek: Picard season 3 to be the Star Trek: The Next Generation sendoff they never received after Star Trek: Nemesis bombed. Matalas has said Picard season 3 is essentially a "10-hour movie" and a finale to The Next Generation. However, something may have changed internally since Picard season 3 wrapped in the spring of 2022, or, having seen the massive interest building for Picard season 3, it's possible the parties involved realized that 'the end' of TNG they had planned doesn't necessarily have to be the end, after all, as Jonathan Frakes Tweeted.
The specifics of Star Trek: Picard season 3 are obviously top-secret but the very fact that Patrick Stewart and the cast raised the possibility of a movie or another reunion goes against Matalas' tease on Twitter that 'safety [is] not guaranteed' for the TNG legends. It's quite possible someone may die in Picard season 3, yet hinting at a movie or another spinoff also indicates things may not necessarily be 'final' regardless of what happens. It's also interesting how the Star Trek: The Next Generation cast made blatant overtures about another together project at NYCC with Matalas and executive producer Alex Kurtzman sitting right next to them. Obviously, the producers can't say anything, if there is, indeed, anything to say about more Star Trek: Picard in some fashion. But are the actors 'going rogue' by lobbying the fans or is it all a marketing ploy to gauge interest in something after Star Trek: Picard?
Why The TNG Cast Is Pushing For Another Movie Or Spinoff
It's no secret the Star Trek: The Next Generation cast adore each other and have for decades. The actors must have had an incredible time working together again since they're opening campaigning for another chance. The cast mates are also evidently very pleased with Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Further, the TNG cast is undeniably older, yet they all must feel they recaptured their old mojo in Star Trek: Picard season 3. As such, the actors likely and understandably must think they need to strike while the iron is hot to get another reunion up and running. What's interesting is the divergence based on who is asking for what. Patrick Stewart suggesting a movie indicates he's interested in a lesser commitment after headlining three seasons of TV. But Gates McFadden and Martina Sirtis are interested in a spinoff or another season of Star Trek: Picard, which hints at them wanting a lot more than two hours. What will actually transpire of their campaigning is anyone's guess, but everyone involved is obviously confident that Star Trek: Picard season 3 will be a massive hit that will be well-received by the fandom.
What About The Seven Of Nine Picard Spinoff?
Meanwhile, there's interest in a different Star Trek: Picard spinoff centering on Commander Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan), which would likely also star Seven's significant other, Commander Raffi Musiker (Michelle Hurd). Seven finally s Starfleet in Star Trek: Picard season 3, which is a perfect scenario to spin Seven and Raffi off into their own show that would explore their relationship further. However, a Seven of Nine show is currently just a rumor and something many fans want. But how would another Star Trek: TNG project affect the potential of a Seven and Raffi spinoff?
Inevitably, something will take Star Trek: Picard's place on Paramount+ Star Trek slate to maintain five shows in production. It's also possible that slate will expand in 2023 or beyond, and long-rumored projects like Michelle Yeoh's Section 31 series or a Starfleet Academy show will finally happen. Worf getting his own spinoff has also had a longtime groundswell of fan interest. It would certainly be a good idea and good business to give Star Trek: The Next Generation's cast another project if Star Trek: Picard season 3 is the monster hit everyone anticipates it being. It would be wise to strike while the iron is hot and while the cast is still ready and able to do more.
Perhaps whatever does come next, if anything, is already underway but shrouded in secrecy, and the iconic TNG actors are just leveraging their popularity and iconic status to keep fan interest high in seeing more of them. Hopefully, if there is more TNG to come, the knowledge or anticipation of it doesn't undermine the drama and what happens in Star Trek: Picard season 3.
Star Trek: Picard Season 3 premieres February 16, 2023, on Paramount+.