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The showrunner of NBC’s Quantum Leap revival has a frank response to the question of recasting Sam Beckett. Right around the time that the Quantum Leap revival was set to premiere, Scott Bakula confirmed that he was not involved in the new show. The actor, who portrayed Sam Beckett in the original series, noted it was a difficult decision to pass on the project, but wished those involved good luck and detailed how key aspects of the premise remain very relevant today.
In an interview with CinemaBlend, showrunner Martin Gero addressed the question of whether Sam Beckett could be recast for Quantum Leap season 2. Gero is frank in his response, rejecting it immediately and explaining how central Bakula’s performance is to the character. In the quote, which is included below, the showrunner says the idea to recast Beckett is “mad disrespectful“:
No, no, no, no, no. I’ll never. You know, we don’t say, ‘Oh, boy,’–there are some things that are sacrosanct. We would never hire another actor to play that role. Scott Bakula is the reason why that character is so iconic. It would be crazy of us and mad disrespectful. So, we wouldn’t do that.
Why Quantum Leap Recasting Sam Beckett Wouldn’t Work
The revival of Quantum Leap, like many others, had to pull off the difficult balance of establishing itself while paying homage to what came before. This much could be gleaned as early as the premiere, which includes several direct references to Beckett, and concludes with a twist that turns the original’s history into another direct plot point. This continues into the show’s second episode, which brings back Susan Diol as the original Quantum Leap character Beth Calavicci. A photo of Bakula, as Beckett, can also be seen early on.
This wasn’t just an approach to reel in curious new viewers. Quantum Leap season 1 linked up more with Beckett as it went, making the mystery of his disappearance relevant once again. Bringing another version of the character to the Quantum Leap cast would likely upset those that deeply enjoyed Bakula’s portrayal. But even more immediately than that, it would be a betrayal of what the revival has already established as part of its canon.
Rather than close the door completely to a potential appearance by Bakula in the future, Quantum Leap‘s revival should focus on the new main cast and their arcs. Season 1 was perhaps influenced by what came before by necessity, but after a full 18 episodes of television, Dr. Ben Song is well-established as the new protagonist and Raymond Lee has settled in as the sci-fi drama’s leading man, which should be more than enough to carry the story forward without overreaching in to the show’s past.
Source: CinemaBlend
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