Development Of Spock

The development of Spock, a fictional character first introduced in the American science fiction television series ''Star Trek,'' began prior to the start of the series. The first known mention of Spock was in a discussion between Gene Roddenberry and Gary Lockwood, where the latter suggested Leonard Nimoy for the role. Roddenberry agreed with the suggestion, and Nimoy became the first choice actor for the part. However, Roddenberry was required to audition other actors for the role. It was offered to both DeForest Kelley (who would eventually play Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy) and Martin Landau before Nimoy. Nimoy disliked the prosthetic ears he was required to wear, and there were concerns from the studio that they made him appear satanic. Roddenberry fought to keep the character in the second pilot, "Where No Man Has Gone Before" after the rest of the main cast was dropped from the initial pilot, " The Cage".

Soon after the series began broadcasting, "Spockmania" began. Both NBC and individual studios demanded a more prominent role for the character due to the fan response. Prior to the second season, Nimoy renegotiated his salary. During this time, both Mark Lenard and Lawrence Montaigne were seriously considered as replacement Vulcans. Nimoy was retained, and continued to develop the character through the season, creating the iconic Vulcan salute. Following the cancellation of the series, various projects were undertaken during the 1970s to re-launch ''Star Trek''. Nimoy had dropped out of working on them after his likeness was used in a Heineken advertisement without his permission. The character of Xon, played by David Gautreaux, was created as a replacement for him in the series ''Star Trek: Phase II''; however when the production became '' Star Trek: The Motion Picture'', Nimoy was persuaded to return.

Nimoy agreed to return for '' Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan'' with the promise of a death scene for the character. The fan response was overwhelmingly negative to the news, but after Nimoy enjoyed the production, he asked if there was a means in which the death could be ambiguous. Nimoy returned for the next film, and convinced studio chief Michael Eisner that he should direct it. Spock was revived in the film. The film was successful, and he was asked to direct the following film, '' Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home'' as well. Due to delays in negotiating William Shatner's contract, consideration was given to re-booting the franchise and starting again with new, younger actors. This was abandoned; '' Star Trek V: The Final Frontier'' introduced a previously unmentioned half brother of Spock, Sybok. Following the poor reception of the film, a re-boot was once again considered, but instead Nimoy was asked to organise the sixth film, '' Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country''. To promote the film, he agreed to appear in ''The Next Generation''.

He refused to return for ''Star Trek Generations'' as the expected role was not significant enough, and the character did not return to the franchise again until 2009's ''Star Trek'', where it was recast and portrayed by Zachary Quinto. Nimoy also agreed to return, playing the older version of the character. Quinto sought his advice about how to play the character, and the two became friends. Nimoy appeared one final time in a cameo within the 2013 film ''Star Trek Into Darkness''; he died in February 2015 prior to production on the 2016's ''Star Trek Beyond''. Within that film, a scene was included to reference the in-universe death of the older version of the character.

''The Original Series''

Origins and "The Cage"

The earliest mention of Spock known was in a conversation Gene Roddenberry had with Gary Lockwood at Roddenberry's home. Lockwood had been the lead actor on Roddenberry's ''The Lieutenant'' which had just been cancelled after one season. Roddenberry explained in that conversation that he had created an alien with the name of Spock, and he wanted the character to be very intelligent and possibly green. He asked Lockwood for his advice about who could play the character, and Roddenberry was reminded about Leonard Nimoy, who had made a guest appearance in ''The Lieutenant'' episode "In the Highest Tradition". Several days afterwards, Roddenberry's secretary Dorothy Fontana read his new ''Star Trek'' proposal, asking Roddenberry immediately if he had someone in mind to play Spock. She was handed a glossy photograph of Nimoy in response. It was not until much later that Roddenberry became aware that the character had a namesake, in Dr. Benjamin Spock.

Despite having Nimoy immediately in mind for the part, Roddenberry was required to audition other actors for the part. Actors who read for the part included Victor Lundin, and both Rex Holman and Michael Dunn were considered. The network, NBC, were pushing for a known actor to play the role, as was Robert Butler, who was to direct the ''Star Trek'' pilot, " The Cage". Butler opposed the casting of DeForest Kelley as the doctor character, but both he and the NBC executives thought he would be good as Spock. Roddenberry met with Kelley and offered him the job, but he did not want to play the alien character. Seeking to get a different star, Roddenberry offered the role to Martin Landau, but he did not want to play the same character on a weekly basis and found the character's lack of emotions limiting.

During an interview segment of TV Land's 40th Anniversary ''Star Trek'' Marathon on November 12, 2006 Leonard Nimoy reveals that Gene Roddenberry's first choice to play Spock was George Lindsey. Because of the flippant way Nimoy made the comment it has been suggested that he was joking. The claim Lindsey was offered the role was given more credibility when Lindsey's close friend Ernest Borgnine wrote in his autobiography, "my hand to God - he turned down the part of Mr. Spock on TV's Star Trek, the role that made Leonard Nimoy famous."

When offered, Nimoy accepted the role. However, he was still apprehensive as he wanted to have a serious acting career and did not want to be made to look foolish by playing an alien with pointy ears and other as-then undetermined makeup. When the character was included in the original 1964 pitch, Roddenberry wrote that the character was "probably half Martian, he has a slightly reddish complexion and semi-pointed ears". Early versions had the character ingest energy through a plate in his stomach. Writer Samuel A. Peeples told Roddenberry these attributes made Spock too alien, and suggested "he should at least be half-human and have the problems of both sides", believing the human traits made the character more interesting and able to comment on the human condition more believably. Spock's home planet was changed because Roddenberry thought if the show was a success, humans might actually walk on Mars during the series' run. The eventual logical nature of Spock was originally written into the character Number One as portrayed by Majel Barrett

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