Michael Dorn Says The Script For A Worf TV Show Is Written
Michael Dorn has been conspicuously absent from the Star Trek franchise over the last few years, but he says a Worf script has been written
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Michael Dorn has had a long career in Hollywood and still continues to work, but when all is said and done he’ll likely be remembered, on-screen, for his work as Worf in multiple Star Trek shows and movies. But with all the resurgence around the franchise of late, Dorn’s Worf has been noticeably absent from the proceedings. It’s unclear if he’s set to make a return at any point, but the actor did say that a script for a series focused around the Worf character has already been written.
In an interview with Horror Geek Life, Michael Dorn sat down and talked at length about his acting career as well as a number of other personal tidbits. The big news came near the end of the interview when asked about other projects he had in the pipeline. The actor had a response that’s sure to pique Star Trek fans’ interest. Here’s what he had to say.
“Actually, I’ve been trying to get somebody in the Star Trek world to do a Worf TV series, and if not a series then a movie like Rogue One, a kind of one-off, because I love Rogue One, I thought it was brilliant…I thought this would be an easy sell, a really easy thing to do because the script is written, I’m here, I’m in great shape, not broken down and crotchety or anything. I’d love to direct and I’m kind of a Santa Claus when it comes to acting. I’m not interested in having Worf the focus of every scene, I just love the character and want to go to work.”
Michael Dorn goes on to say:
“The other strange thing is we have all of these Star Trek shows and Worf isn’t in any of them. It’s strange, it’s not like I’ve done anything to anyone, at least I hope I haven’t, but who knows?”
There’s quite a bit to read into from these quotes. They are rather telling about both Michael Dorn and feelings about the character as well as his confusion about his role (or lack thereof) in the current Star Trek franchise.
First off, there’s the script that Michael Dorn references for the Worf character. He says he completed it many years ago so there’s some chance the lack of interest around his work is related to not having it fit into the grander scheme of the current franchise. That would make sense and just because an actor completed a story about his/her character doesn’t mean it’s going to get greenlit out of the box.
But Michael Dorn also expresses some confusion, probably rightfully so, about Worf’s omission from the current Star Trek universe. He’s likely specifically referencing, without saying it exactly, CBS All Access’s Star Trek: Picard. Considering the character’s previous relationship with the titular captain, I think fans expected at minimum some kind of nod to their previous friendship. Even if Worf didn’t actually appear, you’d have thought there would at least be some kind of mention along the way.
Some had speculated that Picard would offer a great chance for Michael Dorn to return as well, or at least the character, with the way they handled Data in the reboot. Though Data died at the end of Nemesis, they were able to upload his consciousness into another being to essentially keep the character “alive”. Worf didn’t get the same treatment.
Michael Dorn appeared on seven seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation and then followed it up with four seasons on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also appeared in five movies: The Undiscovered Country, Generations, First Contact, Insurrection, and finally, Nemesis in 2002. That was the last time we saw the character on the screen.
Star Trek: Picard is heading into its second season with the commander having gone through some, um, major changes to end the first run. And I’m sure plenty is in store for what should be a much-anticipated second offering. But as of right now, Michael Dorn as Worf doesn’t appear to be part of the proceedings. It’s a shame considering how beloved the character was and how much the actor appears to want back into the role.
