Scott Bakula Actually Returning To Quantum Leap?
While there is no confirmation as yet, there has not been a definite "no" for Scott Bakula on the Quantum Leap reboot.
Could Scott Bakula actually be returning to the Quantum Leap universe? According to MovieWeb, the answer is not a definite “no.” Although Bakula initially turned down a role in the reboot of the classic sci-fi series, one of the revival’s starring actors, Ernie Hudson, thinks there is a chance that Bakula could change his mind.
Scott Bakula starred in Quantum Leap, a sci-fi series that aired from 1989 to 1993. Bakula played Dr. Sam Beckett, a physicist who becomes trapped in the past during a government experiment on time travel. In an effort to get back home to his timeline, Beckett must take the place of other people’s bodies, and correct events that he discovers were historical mistakes.
The original television show was created by Donald P. Bellisario and starred Dean Stockwell and Deborah Pratt alongside Bakula.
While Scott Bakula doesn’t star in the Quantum Leap reboot, the new series does take place in the same universe. Released this year, the reboot follows a team of scientists who restart Beckett’s time-traveling machine 30 years after he was lost in spacetime.
The new series stars Raymond Lee as Dr. Song, Caitlin Bassett as Addison Augustine, and Mason Alexander Park as Ian Wright, with Hudson playing Herbert ‘Magic’ Williams, the head of the Quantum Leap time travel project. The reboot was created by Bellisario, Bryan Wynbrandt, and Steven Lilien.
Hudson’s character, Magic, previously met Beckett in season three of the original series, though the character was originally portrayed by Christopher Kirby. Because of the history between the two characters, Hudson believes it would be great to see Beckett and Magic reunited.
When the reboot was first greenlit, NBC sent Scott Bakula a copy of the Quantum Leap revival script. It made sense for the star of the original show to be in the new rendition of the beloved series. Unfortunately for the show’s fans, Bakula turned down the opportunity to be involved.
Bakula addressed the rumors of his participation in the new series in an Instagram post in September. In the original script, Beckett was meant to be in the pilot, but Bakula made the “difficult decision” to pass on the offer. Despite not being connected to the new series, Bakula wished the team behind the reboot “good luck and happy leaping!”
Hudson has said that he is happy the series is finding its footing with Lee as the new lead, expressing how he loves that while Bakula played a charming Beckett, “Lee is bringing his own kind of humanity” to the role of Dr. Song. However, Hudson still thinks that it would “mean a lot” to Magic if he were to be reunited with Beckett.
While Scott Bakula is not currently involved with the Quantum Leap reboot, the series has only just begun. During season one production, NBC ordered an extended season. This means the producers likely see huge potential for the sci-fi series, and time only tells what might happen next. Perhaps Bakula will change his mind and reprise his role as Dr. Beckett again soon.
