During Mount Union visit, French Stewart says '3rd Rock From the Sun' reboot not happening

ALLIANCE − Popular television shows like "3rd Rock From the Sun" often retain fan bases well past the end of their run.

Especially in an age of digital streaming, fans often hope and clamor for a reboot or continuation with the original cast. And although some fans yearn for new episodes of the NBC sitcom, cast member French Stewart said there are currently no plans to revisit the Emmy Award-winning show that aired from 1996 to 2001.

Reviving "3rd Rock," however, can't be ruled out indefinitely given the nature of show business, Stewart acknowledged during an interview last week while visiting the University of Mount Union.

"There was chat of it at one point, but then I think we all kind of mutually agreed we were pretty happy with the original," he said. "... And then, you just sort of move on ... and everybody's got schedules."

Additionally, "(Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is huge, and he's got a lot going on," Stewart said of the former "3rd Rock" actor who will be starring in a "Beverly Hills Cop" sequel with Eddie Murphy, according to media reports.

"Every day, somebody (is) saying, 'Well, when you gonna, when you gonna (relaunch '3rd Rock')?,'" said Stewart, who portrayed Harry Solomon on "3rd Rock From the Sun."

More: Hoover grad and actor Eddie McClintock applied for LAPD, would love 'Warehouse 13' reboot

More: Pedro from 'Napoleon Dynamite' hints at sequel, hypes new 'Buzz Lightyear' movie

A reunion of the 3rd Rock cast at Vulture Fest in 2021 was fun, Stewart said.

The event celebrated the 25th anniversary of the show, which starred John Lithgow and told the story of a group of aliens who embark on an expedition to Earth and take on the personas of a family to study humanity.

Stewart was at Mount Union for a reception that marked the 10th anniversary of Shakespeare At The Castle, a summertime theatrical production at the historic Glamorgan Castle in Alliance. The actor attended with his wife, Vanessa Stewart.

Donors who have helped make the project possible also attended the reception and were thanked for their generous support by Kevin Kern, associate professor of theatre, and Mount Union President Gregory L. King.

The couple also spent time working with theater students at Mount Union last week, including offering their advice and insights on self-taping auditions. They both plan to perform in Shakespeare At The Castle, although scheduling conflicts and acting-related projects might delay it past this coming summer.

Shakespeare At The Castle will be presented on July 27-30 and Aug. 3-6. Tickets go on sale in June; information and details will be posted later at https://www.mountunion.edu/shakespeare-at-the-castle.

"We can't wait," Vanessa Stewart said, noting their direct involvement is unlikely this summer. But "we're committed to doing it."

"It's going to happen," French Stewart added.

The couple were introduced to Shakespeare At The Castle through Kern, artistic director of the program. Kern had met and become friends with Vanessa Stewart around 2003 when they were both working in theater in Los Angeles. Vanessa Stewart is an award-winning stage actor known for her role in the musical "Louis & Keely: 'Live' at the Sahara," which she co-wrote. She also writes screenplays.

Following the reception, the couple sat down for an interview about their interest in Shakespeare At The Castle, as well as fielding questions about French Stewart's past work and forthcoming projects.

'We're really a family business.'

Most recently, French Stewart appeared in the ABC television drama, "Will Trent."

"Since we moved to Atlanta, it was the first job I was doing there, which was very nice," he said. "And it was a nice three-show arc. And now I've got a couple of things that are coming in the summer. A couple of small movies that I really love."

"So I'm able to do some network TV to earn myself a small thing and maybe earn myself a play, and then I do something big," Stewart said. "I just try to be practical about it."

Spending time with their 9-year-old daughter is also a priority that is considered when taking on roles and projects, he said.

"We are really a family business," Stewart said, referring to he and Vanessa. "And we both work really hard that way, but the thing is that every time you finish a job, until you're actually on the next set, you're unemployed."

French Stewart excited about role in 'Bob Trevino Likes It'

Stewart said he has a role in the independent movie, "Bob Trevino Likes It."

"It's a story ... about a woman whose father is not really a good father and his name is Bob Trevino," Stewart said.

The daughter is neglected by her dad, and while seeking a father figure, she discovers a man on Facebook by the same name.

"And he likes her (social media posts), so then she gets in touch with him, and ... they have a friendship she can't have with her natural father," Stewart explained.

"It's all about finding your family as opposed to being birthed onto them," he said. "But it's really clever, and I can't tell you who's in it yet … but it's lovely."

A release date hasn't been announced for the film.

French Stewart has role in indie film, 'Cake(Town)'

Stewart also has a role in another indie film, "Cake(Town)."

"It's sort of a modern day retelling of 'Romeo and Juliet,' and it's coming along lovely," he said. "There's just a lot happening now, and it's good and it's fun."

Written and directed by J. Penberth Rabold, "Cake(Town)" is set in a rust belt town.

“Cake(Town)” features social media influencer Alyssa McKay and Andrew Kai of “Valley Girl."

French Stewart was in the running for lead role in 'Breaking Bad'

During the interview, while discussing her husband's talent both in comedy and dramatic roles, Vanessa Stewart revealed that French had auditioned for the lead role in what became the wildly popular television series, "Breaking Bad."

Stewart smiled at the revelation, but said he doesn't lament over a missed opportunity. The now iconic role went to Bryan Cranston, who portrays a high school chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin.

"I was in the running for 'Breaking Bad' ... but once I saw Bryan Cranston in it (he knew the fellow actor was perfect for the role)."

And "he's just a great person, too," Stewart said.

Reach Ed at 330-580-8315 and ebalint@gannett.com.

On Twitter @ebalintREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: French Stewart talks '3rd Rock From the Sun' reboot and 'Breaking Bad'