The Star Trek Role That Cemented LeVar Burton’s Legacy, And Almost Went to Wesley Snipes
One casting decision quietly helped shape television history and it almost went in a very different direction. Before LeVar Burton became inseparable from the role of Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation, another future superstar was nearly chosen to wear the VISOR. That actor was Wesley Snipes.
Long before Blade, New Jack City and his rise as a global movie star, Wesley Snipes was seriously considered for the role of the Enterprise-D’s chief engineer. Snipes later confirmed the audition was real and that the decision came down to a close call. When the role ultimately went to LeVar Burton, Snipes admitted he was disappointed, but also reflective. In hindsight, he acknowledged that landing the part might have changed his entire career path, possibly keeping him in television and away from the film roles that later defined his legacy.
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That single decision opened the door for LeVar Burton to become one of the most influential figures in the Star Trek universe. Burton was not just cast in the show. He lived it. A lifelong Star Trek fan, he grew up watching the series with his family and attending conventions as a supporter long before he ever stepped onto the Enterprise bridge. When he finally did, he brought authenticity, warmth and intelligence to Geordi La Forge, transforming the character into a cornerstone of the franchise.
Burton’s impact went far beyond engineering warp drives and fixing impossible problems. At a time when television representation truly mattered, his presence carried weight. Following the path set by Nichelle Nichols before him, Burton became a visible symbol of inclusion in a future that promised space for everyone. For millions of viewers around the world, seeing Geordi La Forge was not just entertainment. It was validation. It was proof that they belonged in the future being imagined on screen.
Over the years, Burton reprised the role across multiple Star Trek series and feature films, cementing Geordi La Forge as one of the franchise’s most enduring characters. Today, Burton continues his television career while remaining forever linked to the role that helped define Star Trek’s hopeful vision.
This story matters because it shows how one casting choice can echo for decades. Wesley Snipes went on to build a legendary film career and LeVar Burton helped shape one of the most influential science fiction universes ever created. Sometimes, the right role finds the right person and the future turns out exactly as it should.
Stay with us as we continue to explore the stories behind the roles that shaped pop culture and the moments that changed television history forever.
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