spatscolombo reblogged your post and added:
I’ve heard—though I can’t remember where, so this may be bunk—that ST VI was also initially conceived as a reboot. Apparently it was supposed to be a prequel set at the academy, with younger actors playing baby versions of the TOS crew—but that fans/the cast reacted too negatively to the idea so they just powered through and gave us the Cold War in space.
Three things happened that caused them to change their plans for that Starfleet Academy reboot:
1. The fans found out and pitched a fit. Paramount was already nervous about making another box office turd (Star Trek V, anyone?) and had been wiping fan spittle off their logo for years. They realllly wanted Star Trek fans to like them give them lots of money again.
2. The Cast found out and pitched a fit. Nobody was certain at the time, but VI *felt* like the last hurrah for the old crew and goddamn it nobody was gonna take that away from them. Paramount faced not only fan rebellion but dissent from within their ranks -- if the cast walked, it'd wreck the money machine for good. Cue puddles of urine beneath key Paramount execs.
3. Real world events threw them a bone. Undiscovered Country was basically a retelling of the fall of the USSR, which was on everyone's mind back then. The same team who wrote II:WoK knocked out a really decent script in record time and everything just clicked. Paramount hugged this escape plan weeping with relief and didn't even consider the Academy gimmick again until *cough* Lensflare McAbrams came along.
And really, VI is a good film, not just a good Star Trek film. Coincidentally I rewatched it a few weeks ago and only winced a little at the needlessly purple blood.
