Spock/Appendices/Background information/Reappearances

The notion of Spock suffering racial prejudice, alluded to in and the film , was shared by the unmade prequel Star Trek: The First Adventure, in which Spock first met Kirk when he was defended by him from bullies at Starfleet Academy.
Gene Roddenberry once distributed a memo to the TNG writing staff which declared that, due to financial considerations, it would probably be impossible for Leonard Nimoy to ever guest star on that series as Spock (though Roddenberry also suggested Sarek appearing in a guest star role as an alternative). (The Making of Yesterday's Enterprise, p. 22)
In an interview with 's Anthony Pascale in , Leonard Nimoy explained that he felt Spock had been superfluous in the script of and that that was why he had chosen not to appear in the film. Nimoy initially proclaimed, "There was no Spock role in that script," then elaborated, "There were five or six lines attributed to Spock […] but it had nothing to do with Spock. They were not Spock-like in any way. I said to Rick Berman, 'You could distribute these lines to any one of the other characters and it wouldn't make any difference.' And that is exactly what he did. There was no Spock function in the script."Interview with Leonard Nimoy, Part I
In a memo he wrote Manny Coto (on ), Michael Sussman suggested that both an elderly Spock and a young version of the character be featured in a story covering an episode or two from the fourth season of , if Leonard Nimoy was interested in appearing. As Sussman proposed, the older depiction of Spock would have been portrayed, in a framing story, by Nimoy, while the young Spock would have been played by another actor (a technique inspired by the portrayal of in a two-parter from called "Mystery of the Blues", which features not only a young version of Jones, but also a middle-aged Jones, played by ). In the same memo, Sussman envisioned Spock in the 24th century, as a "distinguished and retired Ambassador," being visited by a young Vulcan/Human hybrid who sought advice for balancing the two halves of his own personality. The elderly Spock then began recounting an adventure that took place in the early 23rd century, in which he, as a Starfleet cadet, assisted a middle-aged T'Pol, learning, in the process, "some lesson which helped him choose his own path in life." Sussman went on to suggest that a lot of new details about Spock could be divulged in the story, possibly including that, in his young adulthood, he had been torn between life as a diplomat (like his father) and a Starfleet career. The memo continued by proposing that Spock's mission include the now-aged other senior officers from , and be "a secret and possibly illegal TBD mission." However, this Spock story ultimately wasn't developed.Michael Sussman on Twitter
Roberto Orci, a co-writer of the film , wrote the Spock character as being essential to that film's narrative without considering a back-up story, had Leonard Nimoy turned down appearing in the film. He recalled Nimoy raised an eyebrow at the idea of the destruction of Vulcan.Humans from Earth 2, Bob Orci Commented J.J. Abrams, "Leonard was a dream to work with. He was always incredibly encouraging and excited about what he was seeing. He had a couple of thoughts, but he loved everything related to his role […] He was happy to see Spock look so damn good!" (Star Trek: Costumes: Five Decades of Fashion from the Final Frontier, p. 240) Abrams also stated, "It's a big deal for him to come back and play this part again. I don't think it's something he expected to do. Directing him as Spock for the first time was as surreal a moment as I've had. It was preposterous, but wonderful." (, issue 234, p. 126)
After the making of the film , Leonard Nimoy retired (again) from acting and publicly stated that he did not intend to return to the role of Spock again, as he felt that to do so would be unfair to Zachary Quinto. Nimoy even went as far as to say, "I definitely will not be in Star Trek 2," and, "I think I can be definitive about the fact that I will not be in it." (SFX, issue #200, p. 68) However, it was eventually confirmed that he would indeed be returning to the role of Spock for the sequel, .TREK Sequel Newslet Round-Up!! + More Re: Nimoy In The New Film, And Cumberbatch's Role Revealed??Major Star Trek sequel spoilers confirmed Regarding how J.J. Abrams invited him to make a cameo appearance in the film, Nimoy recalled, "He just said, 'Would you come in for a couple of days and do me a favor." Whereas Nimoy had declined to cameo in because he felt Spock's part in that movie had been too general, Nimoy was persuaded that Spock had such a specific role in Star Trek Into Darkness that he was willing to accept the part. Addressing why he had claimed not to be in the film, Nimoy, who was very pleased that the truth of his involvement was kept secret, initially said, "I was asked time and time again if I was in the movie, and I managed to avoid answering without lying." He laughed, but was then reminded that he had flat-out denied being in the film and replied, "Maybe I was confused. Of course, speaking, if you'll pardon me, logically, I wouldn't know if I was in the movie until I saw the movie."Exclusive interview Leonard Nimoy talks Star Trek Into Darkness His cameo marked Nimoy's final appearance as Spock and his final role overall prior to his death in .
In 2017, producer Akiva Goldsman said that Spock would not be seen on Discovery.Star Trek Discovery continuity original series However, two years later, Spock did appear in Discoverys second season, played by Ethan Peck.