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and the assertive (yet entirely justified) Michael Dorn were among the numerous emerging stars who would rise to prominence in the ensuing years. This also included Brent Spiner as the highly intelligent android of the Enterprise D, Data.
Assuming the part of the non-human crew member who was equally captivated by humanity, Spiner’s Data resembled a substitute for Spock (Leonard Nimoy), who became as crucial as the other members of “The Next Generation.” However, it turns out that while Spiner was indeed ideal for the role, there were others who had the audacity to audition for the part he would be synonymous with for almost 40 years. The most prominent rival was an actor who had already had an extraterrestrial encounter in the very year “The Next Generation” commenced its mission to seek out strange new worlds.
While Picard was issuing commands to “engage,” Kevin Peter Hall was donning mandibles as an interstellar hunter in “Predator.” The infamous seven-foot, two-inch star attempted to secure the role of the android, along with another part before being regretfully declined. Yet even though Hall did not become a permanent member of the Enterprise crew, he still appeared in minor roles throughout the show’s duration.