Patrick Stewart made Jean-Luc Picard almost as iconic as Jim Kirk. Now, after boldly going for 16 years, is it really time to stop?
Do you think this your last Star Trek movie?
Yes. I think all of us are very sensitive to not wanting to outstay our welcome. When the party's coming to a close, it's best to leave before you're the last guest. I think we've made a terrifically good film here, which is more than a Star Trek film. The events of this film, I think, are very appropriate as a sort of closure for Next Generation.
What's the story about the captain's chair going missing halfway through the shoot?
It's absolutely true. I got a phone call on a Sunday evening saying the schedule has changed because we can't shoot on the bridge because the captain's chair had been stolen. It's the third time it's happened, even though it's bolted down. I don't know how they got it off the lot. I guess it was an inside job.
How happy was Bryan Singer [director of "X-Men"] with the results of his cameo?
Bryan is ecstatic to still be in the movie, he was afraid he was going to get cut out. I told him that's what it feels like to be an actor. But he did have a line of dialogue, which unfortunately didn't survive. His appearance is about 37 frames, but he's very proud of those 37 frames. He even has his own trading card now.
So if it's over, what won't you miss about being Picard?
Being asked questions about him.
You're bound to get people asking in the future?
I won't answer. I'll tell them to... sod off! It's become harder and harder, partly because the character has become so close to myself. I can sit and discuss Henry II with you, which is going to be my next role [on stage] for hours, but Picard is not interesting to me in that way. It's been almost 16 years, I just want to say, just look at the work, look at who he is on the screen, and there is the answer to all your questions.
