2, 3 & 4. Patrick Stewart As Data And Stephen Macht Or Edward James Olmos As Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Of course we all know that Patrick Stewart was cast as Captain Picard in the end, but that was not how Roddenberry planned it. We can be grateful that the creator of Star Trek didn't simply put his foot down, but instead listened to the advice of Bob Justman and Rick Berman yes Star Trek fans, there is something you can praise Berman for! The problem was that Roddenberry wanted a proper French Captain. One he saw as masculine and virile. His first choice was Stephen Macht, and he wanted Stewart as Data instead. Stewart at the time had a predominant background in Shakespeare and has stated since that he would not have taken a job as a supporting character. But Roddenberry was convinced. Although he still had a thing about Stewart's hair. So they made him do an audition wearing a wig. Needless to say that the wig didn't catch on. The producers were impressed and although he was included in the list of front runners for the part along with Mitch Ryan, Roy Thinnes, Yaphet Kotto and Patrick Bauchau Stewart eventually got the part, much to the relief of fans everywhere as I doubt that a French-accented arrogant Captain would have made season one any better, would it? As for Macht, this wasn't his first Star Trek rodeo. He had been considered for the role of William Decker in Star Trek: The Motion Picture and didn't get that either. He also sought the part of William Riker (then known as Ryker), and didn't get that. He was eventually cast as General Krim in two episodes of the second season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Another actor who was offered the part of Picard was Edward James Olmos. Yes that's right Admiral Adama nearly captained the Enterprise. There's one alternative to Patrick Stewart I would have actually been happy with. Olmos only turned down the role because he was too busy with other work. So it almost happened. Say it out loud. Sorry, couldn't resist the pun. Whilst I can shrug my shoulders with Macht, I would like to see what Olmos would have done with the part. Quick! Call Water Bishop, I need that window device to watch TNG Blu-Rays in the other universe!