Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) was the much-awaited big-screen comeback of ‘The Original Series.’ However, despite the tremendous anticipation, both critics and fans had differing opinions. The movie’s slow pacing, ponderous storytelling, and vague premise drew criticism from the general audience. Adding to this was Leonard Nimoy, who wasn’t a fan of the movie either.
Time and again, Nimoy detailed his love and hate for hisStar Trekcharacter, Spock. But not just his character; the actor also expressed strong opinions on why he doesn’t considerStar Trek: The Motion Picturea franchise-worthy movie.
Why Leonard Nimoy DislikedStar Trek: The Motion Picture?
Leonard Nimoywas not the one to mince his words. In his autobiography,I Am Not Spock, he tried to establish that the half-human-half-Vulcancharacter wasn’t his sole identity. Further, while talking with theTelevision Academy Foundation, he emphasized that initially he was glad theStar Trekseries got over as the writing and the script had gone awful. But with relief, he had also expressed his disappointment that the series could have been much better with a stronger script.
So, when the plans forStar Trek: The Motion Pictureemerged, Nimoy’s script concerns emerged again. He voiced the same during an interview withJohn Blackstonein 2005. He added:
I was not enamored with the first movie. I thought it was really not ‘Star Trek,’ it was something else. They were trying to do something else with ‘Star Trek. (Further) And we did it and I thought, Well, that’s done, we did the ‘Star Trek’ movie. And of course it didn’t quite work out that way, we were just beginning.
Nimoy continued that because it deviated so far from the central tenets of the show, it didn’t really feel likeStar Trekto him. But in spite of his skepticism, the movie went on to gross an incredible $80 million at the box office (viaBox Office Mojo). This triumph assured another movie and further secured the franchise’s future.
“I know more about Star Trek than either of them”: Leonard Nimoy Dissing 2 Legendary Directors to Direct a $87M Star Trek Movie isn’t Something Most Fans Know
Leonard Nimoy used his popularity wisely and put out a condition before joining in for the thirdStar Trekmovie,The Search for Spock(1984).
Leonard Nimoy Agreed To Do a ThirdStar TrekMovie Only if He Could Direct It
In the same interview for the Television Academy Foundation, Nimoy mentioned that he was invited to discuss his involvement in the thirdStar Trekmovie. The actor stated that he would only be willing to appear in the movie if he was allowed to direct it.
Nimoy andWilliam Shatnerhad previously stated their wish to helm episodes for theStar Trektelevision series, but theirrequestswere consistently turned down. Thus,The Search for Spockprovided Nimoy with the chance to ultimately achieve his goal.
ForStar Trek III: The Search for Spock, Nimoy’s vision was to shift the focus from individual characters to the entire Enterprise crew. For this, he drew inspiration from his time onMission: Impossible, where each and every character had their own well-defined responsibilities.
“You’ve driven me to the edge of not giving a damn”: Star Trek Creator Put the Fear of God in William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy for Their Insufferable Ego
The characters’ sense of unity with one another, which was conspicuously absent from the previous two films, made this attempt successful. Because of how well his direction was appreciated, Nimoy was given the chance to helmStar Trek IV: The Voyage Homeas well.
You can streamStar Trek: The Motion Pictureon Max and can watch the otherStar Trekmovies on Paramount+.
Sakshi Singh
Articles Published :1435
Sakshi Singh has written over 1,300 entertainment articles, mostly about Netflix shows and reality TV. She’s spent the last two years covering everything from surprise engagements to shocking eliminations and previously wrote for Essentially Sports in their Netflix Junkie division. A self-proclaimed reality TV addict, Sakshi has watched all 48 seasons of Survivor and never misses a new dating or competition series. She loves watching how strangers meet, fall in love, team up, or betray each other - it’s the mix of strategy and drama that keeps her hooked. When she’s not glued to a reality show, she’s usually watching a crime thriller or tracking the next big streaming hit.
