LeVar Burton, who played Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge for seven seasons on Star Trek: The Next Generation and four feature films, recently sat down to discuss his current relationship with the TNG cast, some light on his current projects, his use of Twitter, and if he thinks we’ll ever see an on-screen Next Generation reunion.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of TNG and with several cast reunions at Star Trek conventions around the world, Burton talked about his current relationship with his former castmates. When asked if he’s still close with them, he told NMR:
Oh yeah. Oh yeah, and that’s the great thing about this 25th anniversary sort of celebration tour we are on that began this year in Calgary and will go way into 2013.Because there are certain cities like Calgary, and I think we have Toronto next year, I think we have San Francisco next year, oh, and Austin this year — we’re like all there. We’re all there! And it’s great fun for us, because Patrick lives over in England now, and he’s doing his theatre thing, and Jonathan’s on the road directing, he’s always traveling to Vancouver or this city or that city directing “Burn Notice” and all the other shows that he directs, so it’s rare when we have an opportunity to all get together. It’s just great, so it’s fun. I’m looking forward to it.
As one of the most-active Star Trek actors on Twitter, Burton said:
I love Twitter! Here is what I love about Twitter is that it is a conversation that I get to have with my fans, and there is no publicist in the middle, there’s no studio, there is no network — it’s just me, it’s what I want to say, how I want to say it in 140 characters or less.
Do you think there will ever be a reunion on film or TV again for you guys?
I doubt it. You know what’s weird is that I don’t know how long has it been since we’ve actually been in active production on anything like a movie as a cast, over ten years, I think, and the love people give us, the Next Gen cast, is just phenomenal. And fans ask a lot, “Is there any chance, is there any chance?” I don’t know. I don’t think so — it’s not up to me. They certainly don’t consult me; those decisions happen at a pay grade way above mine. I mean, I’d certainly be open to it. It would depend on the story, I think, and that would be true for everybody, but I mean, getting everybody together, finding the right rice…like, aye. [laughs]
With 2012 marking the 25th anniversary, fans have expressed their desire to see an on-screen TNG reunion in either a new feature film or mini-series. When asked about that possibility, Burton said:
I doubt it. You know what’s weird is that I don’t know how long has it been since we’ve actually been in active production on anything like a movie as a cast, over ten years, I think, and the love people give us, the Next Gen cast, is just phenomenal. And fans ask a lot, “Is there any chance, is there any chance?” I don’t know. I don’t think so — it’s not up to me. They certainly don’t consult me; those decisions happen at a pay grade way above mine. I mean, I’d certainly be open to it. It would depend on the story, I think, and that would be true for everybody, but I mean, getting everybody together, finding the right rice…like, aye. [laughs]
Watch the entire interview below.