I always assumed it was a Willie Mays reference, but just discovered via MA that's not the case. I wonder why they felt the need to change the name - there doesn't seem to be any reason they couldn't have gone with Mays. Also, when in the episode is it said that he's "Willie Hawkins"?
Today I learned: "Willie" in Far Beyond the Stars was NOT Willie Mays
- Thread starter erastus25
- Start date
Re: Today I learned: "Willie" in Far Beyond the Stars was NOT Willie M
For one thing, the episode takes place in 1953 and Willie Mays was in the army at the time. For another, it would probably have been easier for Michael Dorn to play the guy if he was an original character, to avoid comparisons to someone he doesn't look that much like in the first place. But according to Memory Alpha, the fact that Mays was so important to Sisko probably played a role in compositing Worf and Mays together into Hawkins in his vision.
For one thing, the episode takes place in 1953 and Willie Mays was in the army at the time. For another, it would probably have been easier for Michael Dorn to play the guy if he was an original character, to avoid comparisons to someone he doesn't look that much like in the first place. But according to Memory Alpha, the fact that Mays was so important to Sisko probably played a role in compositing Worf and Mays together into Hawkins in his vision.
Re: Today I learned: "Willie" in Far Beyond the Stars was NOT Willie M
To have put a portrayal of a still living person into the episode likely would have required expensive licensing rights with the real Willie Mays and the Major League Baseball organization. The character in the episode is a bit of an egocentric, womanizing jerk, which certainly wouldn't be flattering for Mays.
To have put a portrayal of a still living person into the episode likely would have required expensive licensing rights with the real Willie Mays and the Major League Baseball organization. The character in the episode is a bit of an egocentric, womanizing jerk, which certainly wouldn't be flattering for Mays.
Re: Today I learned: "Willie" in Far Beyond the Stars was NOT Willie M
Your former point makes a lot of sense. I hadn't thought of that. I don't agree with the latter point - I thought Dorn played him as a larger than life sports star who reveled in his daily life. Didn't find him to be a jerk at all.
Your former point makes a lot of sense. I hadn't thought of that. I don't agree with the latter point - I thought Dorn played him as a larger than life sports star who reveled in his daily life. Didn't find him to be a jerk at all.
Re: Today I learned: "Willie" in Far Beyond the Stars was NOT Willie M
IIRC, Avery Brooks is a Giants fan, so I doubt he'd want Willie Mays to be denigrated in any way.
IIRC, Avery Brooks is a Giants fan, so I doubt he'd want Willie Mays to be denigrated in any way.
Similar threads
