Most Star Trek fans recognize the name Star Trek: Phase II as an unrealized project spearheaded by Gene Roddenberry. Most also know that the show ultimately morphed into Star Trek: The Motion Picture; however, the mythos of the television show that never was runs deeper than most fans realize, so let’s take a look at a few trivia tidbits that might surprise even the most devoted Trekkies!
1. The show was intended to launch a new Paramount network
Not only was Star Trek: Phase II intended to reintroduce Star Trek to a whole new generation of fans, but also to launch a new 4th TV network called Paramount Television Service. Paramount announced the network in June of 1977, along with Phase II as its headliner series. Neither came to fruition (although the launch of the United Paramount Network found major success later on) because of a lack of backing from Gulf+Western executives at the time.
2. Star Trek: Phase II’s first 13 episodes had titles/summaries
During the planning of Phase II, the show’s creators and producers planned 13 episodes, including a two-hour television movie pilot entitled “In Thy Image.” The other 12 planned episodes also had names and summaries, and the pilot itself would eventually morph into Star Trek: The Motion Picture after the television series and plans to launch PTS fell through.
3. Legal troubles left Nimoy out of Phase II’s casting
When Roddenberry began planning Star Trek: Phase II, he wanted both Shatner and Nimoy to return. However, legal troubles that led to friction between Roddenberry and Nimoy left Spock’s future in doubt, as Roddenberry failed to back Nimoy’s legal battle with Paramount over merchandising rights. At the time, whether because of the legal troubles or because he was disillusioned with television, Nimoy revealed he had no intent or desire to return to the small screen. Thankfully, he changed his mind when the Star Trek movies became successful and led to cameos on television shows like Futurama to music videos!
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