TV - Movies
Leonard Nimoy
Agreed To Return
For Star
Trek III Under
One Condition
By JENNIFER MASHUGA
The success of “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” guaranteed a sequel, and when the producers suggested a Spock death scene for it, Leonard Nimoy was delighted, assuming it would be his last film. However, when "The Wrath of Khan" breathed new life into the franchise, Nimoy used its popularity to his advantage before agreeing to resurrect Spock for the next movie.
Nimoy made the bargain that he'd only return for the third film if he could direct it, because he wanted a challenge. He and William Shatner had both asked — and been turned down — to direct episodes of the “Star Trek” series, so he felt certain this was the leverage he needed.
“Star Trek III: The Search For Spock” is much more of a group effort than the first two films, which was exactly what Nimoy was going for. Nimoy directing also paved the way for William Shatner to direct the next film, "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier," and many other “Trek” actors would follow in their footsteps.