The other Janeway

[Searider Falcon]

Genevieve Bujold isn't that big a name. Whoever cast her should have his/her head examined.

By big name, I mean to a casting director/producer, not necessarily to general audiences. Bujold is an Academy Award-nominated actress, something that tends to dazzle TPTB and was likely all they thought they needed to know until they actually started filming. "Oooo, she was up for an OSCAR! This means she can handle ANY role!" They probably would've pointed out her nomination in half of Voyager's ads in hopes of drawing more interest if she'd stayed.

It certainly was a stupid move on their part, but I think the few days they actually filmed with her probably taught them a lesson.

 

[david g]

I LOVE Kate Mulgrew's voice. She's a magnificent enunciator; it's little wonder that she's such a success on the stage. I love her in the role, and I love Janeway. To me, she's the greatest homage to Captain Kirk.

Bujold is a wonderful actress (see her in the 76 OBSESSION) but woefully miscast as Janeway. I am always intrigued by what Lindsay Wagner, an early choice, would have done in the role, though.

 

[Vic Sixx]

Yes, I think Mulgrew was better suited, but I think Bujold's Janeway would have more like Picard, less hands on than Mulgrew's Janeway.

 

[c0rnedfr0g]

I am always intrigued by what Lindsay Wagner, an early choice, would have done in the role, though.

She would've been asleep on her Sleep Number bed and unable to awake during midnight crises....

 

[Searider Falcon]

I am always intrigued by what Lindsay Wagner, an early choice, would have done in the role, though.

She would've been asleep on her Sleep Number bed and unable to awake during midnight crises....

 

[Timewalker]

Lindsay Wagner has passed her "best-before" date as an 'action heroine' sort of role, in my opinion. However, even if she hadn't, she would never do anything without fussing with her hair first.

My grandfather had such a funny crush on the action heroines of the '70s -- The Bionic Woman, Wonder Woman, Charlie's Angels (who he always referred to as "The Three Angels").

Bujold made a crappy Captain, but she would have done well as a scientist in a guest-starring role sometime, preferably on TNG. She could have been an old acquaintance of Picard from the Academy.

 

[david g]

I love Mulgrew as Janeway, but I think Lindsay Wagner, an absolutely wonderful actress, would also have brought something special, though quite distinct, to the role.

 

[ST-One]

Lindsay Wagner has passed her "best-before" date as an 'action heroine' sort of role, in my opinion. However, even if she hadn't, she would never do anything without fussing with her hair first.

My grandfather had such a funny crush on the action heroines of the '70s -- The Bionic Woman, Wonder Woman, Charlie's Angels (who he always referred to as "The Three Angels").

Fun Fact: In Germany 'Carlie's Angels' is called 'Drei Engel für Charlie (Three Angels for Charlie)'

 

[Brian]

Lindsay Wagner has passed her "best-before" date as an 'action heroine' sort of role, in my opinion.

She's only 6 years older than Kate Mulgrew, and would have been a year younger at the start of Voyager than Patrick Stewart was at the start of TNG and Scott Bakula at the start of Enterprise. Back in the day, I was excited by the rumor that Lindsay was up for the role, but I think Kate Mulgrew did a fine job and I can't see anyone else playing the part now.

However, even if she hadn't, she would never do anything without fussing with her hair first.

It couldn't have been any worse than the producers fussing with Kate Mulgrew's hair every time she turned around.

Back on the Bujold topic... I wonder if the story is true that she left the set for lunch and never came back. That's really unprofessional.

 

[Cali]

^Where did you hear that story about Bujold? I've never heard that one before.

 

[Brian]

Very early on, when the producers were first talking about the casting change. Something like it was obvious to everyone that she wasn't right for the role, and was not up for the pace of creating a weekly television series vs. a feature film. One day, three or four days into filming, she left for lunch and called the producers to let them know she wasn't coming back. They weren't displeased with her decision.

 

[Brian]

I did some searching for a reference, and it looks like she didn't just disappear, though she did quit/get fired/mutually agree over a lunch break. To the rest of the cast, it may have appeared differently, so maybe they were saying at conventions that she left and never came back.

Here's a pretty detailed account of what happened: http://www.star-trek-voyager.net/btshtm/bts_sts_bujold6.htm

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Seeing the Bujold footage on the DVD extras was life changing for me. I went from worshipping at the altar of Mulgrew to flat out stalking her all over the globe. I only got back last week.

Welcome back!

Hello kimc,

it's good to be back. Thanks

I remember you! Last time you were here I was still Mr. Laser Beam.

 

[kimc]

Wow - it's like old home week in here. Cool!

 

[RaymondJames]

Nicole Janeway would of orderd her cofee with alot of cream.....and a whole lot of sugar......lets hope so because thats the only chance Bujold had on waking up and actually acting with emotion, what the hell woman? was she half vulcan?

 

[bod]

Welcome back!

Hello kimc,

it's good to be back. Thanks

I remember you! Last time you were here I was still Mr. Laser Beam.

Hello Mr. Laser Beam, hit me!

 

[Triskelion]

I think Madame Bujold's more suited to an Adama-type command/tone. The series would have evolved differently to showcase her character, I'm sure of it. It would have been drier. More serious. Quite possibly great on occasion, but we'll never know. I've no doubt but that she could have done some great work given the conditions.

Of course who else could play Mulgrew's Janeway? The show would have been different, the captain character different, than the one we know.

However I'm still in love with Katie and Kathryn! She absolutely shone in that role! And I think her voice is sexy.

 

[McCoy]

^ You seem to be suggesting that if they'd kept the captain we all hate, we might have got a show we'd all love.

 

[Triskelion]

Well to be honest, McCoy (great ava) I love what Madame Mulgrew did with the role. And also I'm a deer-in-the-headlights fan of hers.

All I'm saying is that we never got to know Bujold's Janeway, all we can do is compare it to the character Mulgrew established.

Comparing the vids, sure there's a huge difference. And I love Mulgrew, but don't hate Bujold, but in fact see a glimpse of the weightiness Bujold might have brought to the role. Just look at what actors like Edward James Almos are able to accomplish with today's sci fi aesthetic. Today, dark is good. In the 90's (which seemed like two hours ago to me) things were markedly different. Imagine Olmos as a Starfleet captain - or say, John Savage as Captain Ransom of the Equinox (another great). See, the darkness doesn't really work as a protag in that era.

Things change. It helps to be old and remember society & the industry as they were at the time

Bujold could have worked as the captain of the Pegasus, for example. Perhaps she wasn't suitable for Voyager, but she would make a damn fine submarine captain in a more realistic setting. I submit that Madame Bujold was ahead of her time.

 

[McCoy]

Ahead of her time, I like that. Nice point.

Like you I also love what Mulgrew did with Janeway. And the commanding presence is a big part of that. I really like Bujold, but she excels at playing vulnerability, and I think she was right to realize that wasn't going to work for this role and smart to get out early.

Edited to add: To the first point, she may have fit in quite well as a captain on one of the civilian ships in nuBSG.