Stewart will be paid $12 million in a multifaceted pact that revolves around him reprising his role as Captain Picard in the next "Star Trek" film. As part of the pact, Stewart will also be the film's associate co-producer and get a three-year, first-look deal with Par.

Stewart received $5 million for the last film, "Star Trek: First Contact," which grossed $92 million domestically. That's the best "Trek" picture performance since 1986's "The Voyage Home," which grossed $109 million.

For Stewart, the salary and producer credit are the latest developments in a career on the upswing. He's now in Melbourne, Australia playing Captain Ahab in a miniseries version of "Moby Dick," scheduled to air on the USA Network in March 1998.

Stewart will next be seen onscreen as the chief tormentor of Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts in "Conspiracy Theory," scheduled to open July 25. He's also completed several indie features, including "Safe House" and "Dad Savage," which just wrapped in England.

He hasn't abandoned theater, either: he'll play the title role in "Othello," surrounded by a black cast, which runs at D.C.'s Shakespeare Theatre from November to January.

Meanwhile, Paramount is hard at work on the next "Trek" film, being scripted by Michael Piller under the supervision of senior VP Don Granger. Piller's script has been likened to Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness," providing a tour de force acting opportunity for Stewart.

"Trek" star Jonathan Frakes, who directed the last pic, is expected to pull double duty again. Par is still working out deals with other cast members. Brent Spiner is expected to get near $5 million to reprise his role as Data.

The Trek franchise is booming, with two series still on the air, and an Imax feature in the works.

Stewart's repped by ICM's Steve Dontanville; his attorney is Cliff Gilbert.