After Roberto Orci exited the upcoming Star Trek 3 it looks as though fans have found a new favourite… and it seems Jonathan Frakes is interested in taking the bridge.
That’s right folks – Commander William T. Riker himself is interested in returning to Star Trek. And after the exit of both J.J. Abrams and Roberto Orci, I can’t help thinking this is exactly what the franchise needs. But would Paramount be interested in having him back?
According to KomoNews, the 62-year-old Star Trek actor has heard all about the campaign to get him back in the director’s chair… and it seems he’s rather keen.
“Hashtag, BringInRiker!” he said. “I’m all over it. I’m all over it.”
Of course, since Roberto Orci’s exit, many Star Trek fans have been determined to see Frakes return to the director’s chair. And after directing the highly-successful Star Trek: First Contact I can’t help thinking they’d be onto a real winner if he returned.
And it looks as though he thinks so too… after admitting that he’s already been in touch with the folks at Paramount – making contact with Producer J.J Abrams.
“I would love that job,” he added. And it’s obvious that he’s more than a little enthusiastic about the possibility. “I say, unabashedly, I’d be great at it and would love to do it.”
I don’t think I’m alone in agreeing that Frakes would make a marvellous Star Trek director. After all, we’ve already seen what he can do. He knows his stuff. But would Paramount want to bring him back, or would it feel like treading old ground?
Frankly, I think they’d be mad not to take him up on the offer.
Clearly, the reboot means to distance itself from the franchise of the past… but perhaps it could use a little ‘Next Generation’ swagger to really get everyone’s warp drive running.
“I’m trying to keep the lid on how excited I am about the possibility, knowing it’s such a long shot,” he said. “But there’s nothing I would like better.”
Do you think Star Trek 3 could benefit from Jonathon Frakes? Who would you like to see direct the Trek sequel? Let us know what you think in the comments below…