Original Quantum Leap star Scott Bakula has confirmed that he is not involved in the upcoming series reboot. Bakula, who won a Golden Globe for his role as the time-traveling Sam Beckett, helmed the popular sci-fi series for five seasons in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Still considered one of the top cult TV shows to ever be produced, Quantum Leap followed Bakula’s character as he involuntarily leapt through time into the bodies of different people and was tasked with changing history for the better. Since its cancelation in 1993, Bakula has often spoken about the possibility of returning for a series revival or film. When the news broke that Quantum Leap would return for a reboot, it seemed likely he would be involved somehow.
Earlier this month, NBC released a trailer for their new Quantum Leap reboot, reveal new series lead Raymond Lee as Dr. Ben Song. Also set to join the cast is Ghostbusters star Ernie Hudson as the new Quantum Leap project head, and Caitlin Bassett as Addison, who will appear to Ben in the form of a hologram that only he can see and hear. Details released regarding the new Quantum Leap also suggested a direct connection between the newest iteration of the property and its original incarnation, with the new series set to restart the original Quantum Leap project roughly 30 years after Sam Beckett first disappeared.
Ever since news of the Quantum Leap reboot broke, fans of the original series have speculated about whether the original star would return to reprise his role. Now Bakula himself has taken to social media to officially confirm that he has “no connection with the new show, either in front of the camera or behind it." He does, however, also confirm that the original version of the pilot’s script included an appearance from Sam Beckett, but he made the “very difficult decision to pass on the project.” Nonetheless, he also goes on to wish the new show’s creative team every success. Check out his original Instagram post below:
This news will come as a bitter blow for fans of the original Quantum Leap, who were excited about the possibility of Bakula’s potential return. Back before the original Quantum Leap was axed, showrunner Donald P. Bellisario was still planning on a sixth season and crafted the season 5 finale to set up potential new storylines. As a result, when news of the cancelation came, it resulted in Quantum Leap ending on a cliffhanger with Beckett still lost in time. The initial hope was that this new series would somehow serve to finally give his character a much-deserved proper ending.
While rumors of Bakula’s potential return can finally be laid to rest, it now falls to the new show to prove that it can live up to the legacy of the original Quantum Leap without him. From Bakula’s comments, it is clear that NBC had initially intended to have Beckett return in the new series for at least the pilot, so it will be interesting to see how they have managed to retool their plans to account for his absence. Either way, fans will not have to wait too much longer to find out, with the new Quantum Leap currently scheduled to hit NBC on September 19.
Source: Scott Bakula/Instagram