Leonard Nimoy Went After Starlog Magazine For A False Star Trek Rumor
When it comes to fan engagement, a few other franchises have done it as well, Star Trek. The sci-fi story and characters have been around for decades and decades, inspiring new generations to look toward the final frontier. And when it comes to the true icons of the franchise, Leonard Nimoy is near (or at) the top of the list.
He helped cement his legacy when he returned to play Spock Prime in J.J. Abrams’ 2009 Star Trek reboot movie. Did fans love the franchise’s direction overall? No. However, it was undoubtedly cool to see Leonard Nimoy back as Spock.
Now, when something like that happens, fans can turn to the trusty internet and post their thoughts in various ways. But back in the pre-web era, a die-hard fan would have to hit up conventions, or scour magazines like Starlog.
Sometimes, those magazines would get something wrong — it happens to the best of us — but it’s still got to sting when you report a rumor about Star Trek’s Leonard Nimoy…and then get called out about it by Star Trek’s Leonard Nimoy.
As originally reported by The Huffington Post, it happened in January 1982, when Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan was still some five months away.
Given the huge nature of Spock’s death in the film, it’s not surprising that rumors of the twist had already begun swirling in fan circles. But Starlog apparently reported not only the rumor, but that Spock’s death was instigated at the request of the actor who played him. So Nimoy sent Starlog a letter. Check out what Leonard Nimoy had to say about it.
In the November issue you report that the death of Spock was ‘brought about by Leonard Nimoy’s request.’
In your January issue you reiterated the same report and then you quoted ‘Star Trek II’ executive producer Harve Bennett as saying ‘… Nimoy did not insist on killing the character as a prerequisite to his appearing in the second film.’
I was not contacted for a statement, but here it is: Harve Bennett was right, you were wrong …… twice.
Yours for more accurate journalism,
Leonard Nimoy
As with many rumors, this one seems to be close to the truth, but off base in an important way.
The 1982 book The Making of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan explained that Spock’s death wasn’t demanded by Nimoy, but it was the carrot that lured the actor back for the sequel.
After all, who doesn’t love a good death scene? It was a good call because Spock’s death is, to this day, one of the most iconic in movie history.
The experience was obviously a good one since Leonard Nimoy returned for all four of the original-cast movies that followed.
It’s fun to look back at these types of interactions to see guys like Leonard Nimoy were invested in not only his own legacy, but the preservation of the truth when it came to reporting on possible spoilers in movies. In that way, this thing is kind of timeless.
