When Star Trek V: The Final Frontier was still in development, reports suggested that Leonard Nimoy, who reprised his role as Spock in the film, also wanted to play his character’s half-brother Sybok. Laurence Luckinbill, the actor who eventually landed the role, believes these rumors are what led him to get the part.
In an interview with Screen Rant, Luckinbill offered some insight into his relationship with Nimoy and opened up about what it was like behind the scenes of Star Trek V. “It was just business on the set, yes. And there is this thing that’s been said that Leonard wanted to play both parts. I don’t know if it’s true. But Bill [Shatner] wasn’t gonna have that,” the actor said. “So that’s how I got the part. And Sean Connery didn’t. He was busy already.”
Shatner initially wanted Sean Connery to play Sybok, but the actor had already signed on to play Henry Jones Sr. in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and was unavailable. “And so, we did our jobs. And it wasn’t until the last few days when we were shooting the final scenes that Leonard and I really got together in a brotherly way,” Luckinbill continued. “After the movie wrapped, Leonard and I became friends because that issue was gone. And so, we went to his house several times and had dinner and so on. So that was all to the good.”
Released in 1989, Star Trek V follows the crew of the USS Enterprise-A as they face off against the renegade Vulcan, Sybok, who is searching the galaxy for God. Shatner, who directed the film, initially wanted Sybok to find the devil instead. However, this idea was not well-received by series creator Gene Roddenberry. As a result, the script underwent multiple revisions to satisfy the cast and Paramount Pictures, including cuts to the film’s effects-heavy climax.
Luckinbill Has Advice For Whoever Plays Sybok Next
Sybok made no further appearances in the franchise until Star Trek: Strange New Worlds re-introduced the character in Season 1 Episode 7. Luckinbill offered some advice to whoever lands the role next. “Hold on very hard to the idea that this is a man who really wanted to change the world that he knew to a better one, to a better world,” he said. The actor also explained the parallel he drew between Sybok and the Soviet ruler Vladimir Lenin.
“My intention is the fact that all of these reformers start with the intention of making things better for people, for humans, freedom, equality, justice, all those things,” Luckinbill said. “But when they reach obstacles, and there are many people who don’t want the kind of government that the guy is projecting, then they start to get dictatorial.”
The next season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is set to premiere in 2025.