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Now, Trek captain Alex Kurtzman is pulling back the curtain on the upcoming project, revealing that a cataclysmic event depicted in J.J. Abrams' 2009 Star Trek movie impacted Picard in a big way. In that film, written by Kurtzman and former producing partner Roberto Orci, it was revealed that Nimoy's Spock failed to save the Romulan homeworld Romulus from a supernova several years after the events of Nemesis.

Now, Kurtzman — as part of a Creative Space interview with The Hollywood Reporter (posting Wednesday) — is ready to reveal one massive clue about the premise of his CBS All Access Picard effort, due in late 2019: "Picard's life was radically altered by the dissolution of the Romulan Empire," Kurtzman tells THR.

The Picard series will be the first onscreen Trek story set in the aftermath of that event, which would have altered the balance of power in the galaxy. The destruction of Romulus would also have extra resonance for Picard, who has a long and complicated relationship with the Romulans, the alien race that split from Vulcan society thousands of years ago and founded a separate civilization. The Romulans went on to control a portion of the galaxy, and the empire was in opposition to the Federation for all of Picard's career.

Kurtzman says Stewart agreed to return only if he could defy what people are used to seeing with Trek. "He threw down an amazing gauntlet and said, 'If we do this, I want it to be so different, I want it to be both what people remember but also not what they're expecting at all, otherwise why do it?' " Kurtzman recalls of their initial discussions for what would become the highly anticipated CBS All Access series.

That was part of a long journey to woo Stewart back to the role that began more than a year ago.

Graham Kennedy wrote:Well technically it's part of the Prime timeline. That said, had they simply decided that it had never happened I would have been just fine with that.

Bryan Moore wrote:Oh god, they're following that timeline?

Graham Kennedy wrote:Things I could see Picard doing :

1) Starfleet Admiral, possibly Chief of Starfleet.
2) Commandant of Starfleet Academy.
3) Left Starfleet, now an Ambassador or other high ranking diplomat.
4) Left Starfleet, now a teacher.
5) Left Starfleet, now an archeologist.

Not much else.

Here's a question. How do people feel about this show, right now? Are you excited for it? Are you hopeful about it? Nervous?

I have to say, honestly I feel kind of gloomy. I expect that they will mess the show up. I expect that they will mess Picard's character up. I might be wrong, I certainly hope I am wrong, but I'll honestly be shocked if this is any good.

Graham Kennedy wrote:Things I could see Picard doing :

1) Starfleet Admiral, possibly Chief of Starfleet.
2) Commandant of Starfleet Academy.
3) Left Starfleet, now an Ambassador or other high ranking diplomat.
4) Left Starfleet, now a teacher.
5) Left Starfleet, now an archeologist.

Not much else.

Here's a question. How do people feel about this show, right now? Are you excited for it? Are you hopeful about it? Nervous?

I have to say, honestly I feel kind of gloomy. I expect that they will mess the show up. I expect that they will mess Picard's character up. I might be wrong, I certainly hope I am wrong, but I'll honestly be shocked if this is any good.

Nutso wrote:I've heard some people are concerned that Picard will be like Luke from The Last Jedi.

Also someone thinks that if Harry Kim shows up in this, he will still be an ensign. No radical alterations for him.