20 Things You Didn't Know About Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
Is it really the worst Star Trek film ever made, or is it just a misunderstood beast?
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier is a stand-out film in the movie franchise. It contains some of the most enjoyable interpersonal dialogue between the cast, yet also some of the most egregious on-screen mistakes. It was decided early on that including the deck numbering gaff was simply retreading well-worn ground when it comes to the film, but there really is rather a lot to say without it.
Production schedules ran over, box office receipts were highly disappointing and, again, Ghostbusters came along to give the film a kicking. Yet, it also saw the return of Jerry Goldsmith to the franchise, bringing his iconic Trek march from the Motion PIcture with him. Laurence Luckinbill appears as Sybok, the only secret half-sibling of Spock's that Star Trek would ever introduce, as it would be sacrilege to do such a thing, of course.
Rock Men, James Bond, a broken ship, and a filming model that someone decided to play Art Attack on - all of these combined to give Star Trek V the worst reputation out of any of the films. But let's find out together - is that, in fact, fair?
20. A Presidential Vulcan
Laurence Luckinbill joined the ensemble for Star Trek V: The Final Frontier after Shatner saw him play a former US President. Lyndon B. Johnson had been the Vice-President for John F. Kennedy. His swearing-in after the assassination would later become the inspiration behind the inauguration of President Laura Roslin on Ronald D. Moore's re-imagined Battlestar Galactica series.
Luckinbill appeared as Johnson several times throughout his career. As an actor and playwright, he had created several productions about the man, but it was not one of his own creations that inspired Shatner to cast him as the emotional Vulcan, Sybok.
It was during a late-night channel surfing session that Shatner stumbled upon him, deciding in the moment that he had found Spock's half-brother. Though he may not have been the first choice for the role, Luckinbill's performance as Sybok remains one of the true highlights of Star Trek V. He brings charisma to the normal stoic race, playing brilliantly against Nimoy's usual straight-faced Spock.