Summary
- Gene Roddenberry objected to the initial idea of turning Lt. Saavik into a traitor in Star Trek VI, and he was right. Saavik was a beloved character and it wouldn't have been fitting for her to commit treason.
- Lt. Valeris was created as a new character for Star Trek VI to replace Saavik. This decision allowed the story to unfold properly without compromising Saavik's established character.
- Money was also a factor in the decision to create Valeris. Kirstie Alley, who played Saavik in Star Trek II, was the highest-paid actress on television at the time and Star Trek couldn't afford her. Kim Cattrall was cast as Valeris and she was excited to join Star Trek as a new character.
Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry was right to object to Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country's initial idea to turn Lt. Saavik (Kirstie Alley/Robin Curtis) into a traitor, which resulted in the film creating a new character, Lt. Valeris (Kim Cattrall). In Star Trek VI, Valeris conspired with rogue Klingons, Romulans, and Starfleet Officers to prevent peace between the Klingon Empire and the United Federation of Planets. From her position aboard the USS Enterprise, Valeris enabled the conspiracy to frame Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) for the assassination of Klingon Chancellor Gorkon (David Warner).
During the production of Star Trek VI in 1991, a very ill Gene Roddenberry was still executive consultant of the Star Trek movies as well as exective producer of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Although Roddenberry had long since lost any real say in the movie franchise's decision-making, he was still kept in the loop about Star Trek VI's development, and he was made aware of every element of the film's story, including the initial plan to cast Lt. Saavik in the role of the Starfleet traitor. Roddenberry was reportedly furious at the idea of Saavik committing treason against the Federation, and especially betraying Captain Spock (Leonard Nimoy). And Star Trek's creator was correct.
