"Star Trek: The Next Generation" - Fan Casting

Over the course of the small-screen history there have been literally hundreds, if not thousands of TV shows that have run for varying lengths. Few have the cult following world-wide as Star Trek and all of its spin-offs. From the original series that started way back in 1966, to "Star Trek: Discovery" that is supposed to air later this year, the Star Trek franchise has featured 5 TV shows, 13 movies, and even one animated show. While its TV runs have sometimes barely held on for dear life, the franchise seems to somehow continue to resurrect itself with more tenacity than the Jason Vorhees. With Hollywood's fascination with reboots and spin-offs, it would only make sense that, alongside of the Star Trek movie reboots and the "Star Trek: Discovery" TV show spin-off, there could (and maybe even should) be a "Star Trek: Next Generation" remake. In light of that, I have taken the trouble to put together a dream-casting of said reboot.

-Colin Salmon as Captain Jean Luc Picard (originally played by Patrick Stewart)

-- Patrick Stewart is many things, he is a strong actor with a strong voice, deep inflection, bald head, and is irreplaceable as a lead role. If anyone could come close, however, I think Colin Salmon could pull it off. He has played everything from military roles ("Alien Vs Predator", "Resident Evil", "Dinotopia") to company CEO's (CW's "Arrow"), Not only does Colin have the screen presence and the strength of voice of Patrick Stewart, he has experience playing a command role.

-Stephen Amell as William Ryker (originally played by Jonathan Frakes)

--Referred to by the Captain as "Number One", William Ryker was the second-in-command of the US Enterprise and Picard's right-hand man. Proving himself over the course of the show to be a strong leader and overall bad-ass. Who better to play such a role as another proven leader and badass, Stephen Amell of The CW's "Arrow" fame. Proving through past roles in "NCIS: LA", "The Vampire Diaries", and "TMNT: Out of the Shadows"that he can provide a strong back-up performance, and having proven his leading chops with his portrayal of Oliver Queen/The Green Arrow, Stephen Amell not only could play the part, but even looks like he could fill Mr. Frakes' shoes.

 -Cote De Pablo as Deanna Troi (originally played by Marina Sirtis)
--Telepathic ship's counselor and eventual wife to William Ryker, Deanna Troi was one of the long-time foundation characters on the show. Cote De Pablo took on a similar role with her character, Ziva David, on NCIS. Her character was insightful, funny, and had a depth to her portrayal that nicely balanced out her almost sex-icon status. Another near-ringer for the original character, I think Cote would provide a strong foundational character for a Star Trek reboot.

-Corbin Bleu as Geordi La Forge (originally played by Levar Burton)

-- Head of engineering and the ship's blind crew member, Levar Burton (of "Reading Rainbow" fame) became a well-loved character with a cult following all his own. Appearing originally with a cybernetic visor to assist his blindness, he later replaced the visor with implants. Though he hasnt had many roles since his appearance in "High School Musical", Corbin Bleu showed he can play a charismatic and intelligent supporting character. I think he could easily fill the Geordi's shoes.

-*Alternate - Kat Graham as Georgia La Forge

-- In this day and age, it seems popular, if not encouraged, to gender-swap or even race-swap a character in a reboot. Kat Graham showed her acting prowess as the witch Bonnie on the late TV hit, "The Vampire Diaries". Her acting fleshed out the character nicely, demonstrating strength and intelligence and easily making her a fan-favorite. Though not following the traditional gender of the role, I think she could easily play a female variation of the Geordi character.

 -Matt Bomer as Data (originally played by Brent Spiner)
-- An Android discovered by the crew of the Enterprise on a dead world, Data spent the rest of the series aiding in their adventures while on his own journey to understand and become as human as he could. Matt Bomer, best known for his role as Neil Caffrey on "White Collar", embarked on a similar journey towards becoming less of a criminal and more of a law-abiding citizen. Matt would provide charisma and class to the Data character, much like Mr. Spiner did in the original series.

-*Alternate - Summer Glau as Data
-- No stranger to playing cybernetic characters, Summer has proven herself through her role as a killing machine on "Terminator: The Sara Conner Chronicles". She has shown her versatility as an actress on "Firefly", "Dollhouse", and even with a cameo on "The Big Bang Theory". If open to a gender-swap of the Data character, Miss Glau would provide a valuable addition to the new crew of the Enterprise.

 -Freddie Highmore as Wesley Crusher (originally played by Wil Wheaton)
-- Young and upcoming crewman, Wesley Crusher was well-loved by fans and stereotypically overlooked by the rest of the crew. Over the course of the show, young Wesley moved up the ranks and matured as a character. The show often used him for teachable moments, both at his expense and at the expense of the rest of the crew. Freddie Highmore has shown incredible depth and maturity through his roles in "August Rush" and the remake of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", culminating in his stand-out performance as young Norman Bates in "Bates Hotel". His youthful appearance and quite, contemplative nature would bring a fresh and somewhat different interpretation of young Mr. Crusher.

 -Jennifer Morrison as Dr, Beverly Crusher (originally played by Gates McFadden)
-- Mentoring mother of Wesley Crusher, Dr. Crusher was a strong moral compass and somewhat of a love interest for Captain Picard. As a crucial member of the crew, it is important that she is portrayed with integrity, depth, and much understanding. Jennifer Morrison is best known for her lead-roles on both "House: MD" and "Once Upon a Time". She has showed her ability to play a well-grounded character, as well as a complex villain. As McFadden did with Patrick Stewart, Morrison would play a fantastic foil to Colin Salmon.

 -Jason Momoa as Lt. Commander Worf (originally played by Michael Dorn)
-- Worf was always a complex character. A strong and dashing Klingon/human half-blood, Worf spent a good portion of the show trying to balance out the two sides of his heritage, all the while putting his life on the line for his fellow crew members and striving to honor his ancestors and warrior bloodline. Jason Momoa has a history of playing strong, violent and emotionally-torn characters. From his role as Ronin on "Stargate: Atlantis", to his roles in "Conan the Barbarian", "Game of Thrones", "Frontier" and his upcoming outing as Aquaman in "Justice League", Momoa has proven himself again and again. No stranger to physically demanding roles or to acting in a Sci Fi feature, he would be perfect as the gruff Klingon Lieutenant.

-*Alternate - Michael Cudlitz as Lt. Commander Worf
-- A second choice for the role of Worf would be Michael Cudlitz, recently of "The Walking Dead" fame. Another strong actor who knows how to play a rough character and still be a fan favorite, Michael would be an optimal choice to play the Commander. And if not Worf, maybe Mr. Cudlitz could be brought on to play another of the Klingon characters.

I think what I have offered up here is a solid and well-rounded lead cast for a "Star Trek: The Next Generation" reboot. I know that, with "Star Trek: Discovery" right around the corner, a reboot of "The Next Generation" is unlikely, but we all know with the way Hollywood is that it is most likely inevitable. I only hope that, if and when it comes around, they manage to put together a leading cast even half as versatile and talented as the one I have suggested here.