10 Most Emotionally Devastating Movie Moments Of 2016
9. Star Trek Beyond – The Leonard Nimoy Tribute
Having appeared in the first two films in J.J. Abrams Star Trek reboot series, Leonard Nimoy was set to reprise his role as the older version of Zachary Quinto’s Spock in Star Trek Beyond until ill health prevented him from doing so. Sadly, he eventually succumbed to his illness and died in February 2015 at the grand age of 83.
Screenwriters Simon Pegg and Doug Jung knew they had to pay tribute to the iconic Nimoy in some way or another but went above and beyond the typical end credits homage (although they did that too, along with a nod to fellow late Star Trek reboot actor Anton Yelchin).
In an emotional scene that saluted Nimoy perfectly, Quinto’s younger Spock is informed of his future self’s death and bequeathed his personal effects which includes a photo of the original Star Trek cast.
Apparently - unthinkably - Jung wasn’t sure if the scene would work at first feeling the inclusion of the photo a bit too meta and fourth wall breaking. Thankfully, though, he did because not only was it a beautifully befitting tribute to Nimoy but also to the 50th anniversary of the Star Trek franchise too.
The scene even made the still living Spock shed a few very un-Vulcan like tears, so it’s perfectly fine to admit if a few escaped your eyes too.