What If Spock Was Killed Off in Star Trek: The Motion Picture?

[Kamdan]

The way I understand it, Leonard Nimoy was intrigued to return for a sequel to Star Trek when the idea of the death scene came up. It was after the scene was filmed that Nimoy began to realize that Wrath of Khan was closer in tone to the show than the first film and wanted to participate in the other films. I began to think about what if that was the only way he would participate in the first film. Discuss.

 

[Mr Silver]

I don't think it would have gone down too well with the fanbase, TMP being the first Star Trek feature film and all. I can imagine the 2nd movie would have served to bring Spock back and therefore TWOK would never have been made (at least not in the form it was made).

Nimoy was originally going to pass on "Phase 2" and then of course TMP came into fruition. Nimoy was enthusiastic about returning for the first live action movie (and also because they gave into some of his contract requests).

But hypothetically speaking, if Spock was to be killed off in the first movie, they only way I could see it fitting into the story would be Spock choosing to merge with V'Ger, instead of Decker. It makes sense in a dramatic basis, Spock was a kindred spirit to V'Ger, being logical, but yet trying to grasp the concept of his human side. However, unlike V'Ger he had the emotional capabilities and the potential to evolve. This is clearly stated in the movie as being V'Ger's desires, it had learnt all it could as a logical data collecting machine and longed (in a non emotional sense) to progress. V'Ger needed someone that would willingly merge with it and allow it to experience "Human" emotions and all that kind of stuff.

 

[Ziriath]

Spock deserved better and faster movie to die in, than Motion(less) picture aka Where Nomad has gone before. If it had been done this way, many fans would sleep through his death scene, which would come into history as the most futile death of one of the best sci-fi characters ever.