TonyPH

Trivia: In 1983 this movie held the record for all-time best-selling home video release, largely owing to a then-bargain $39 price point. In the early 80s most movies on tape were priced around $70; the belief was that only enthusiasts and high-end customers were interested in owning movies and most people were satisfied renting. The stellar sales of Star Trek II proved there was a mass market for home video sales and the entire industry shifted in response.

TonyPH

Trivia: Early storyline development used essentially the setup for the Star Wars films only the villain was on the side of the rebellion. David was a (villainous, initially) version of Luke and it was a plot twist that Kirk is his father. The Genesis device was a planet-destroying weapon a la the Death Star, Khan lurked in the shadows dressed in a cloak and used psychic powers like the Emperor, and Spock would have died in the middle and at the end speak from beyond the grave like Obi Wan Kenobi.

TonyPH

Trivia: Before the final script, Kirk and Khan were planned to have an extremely elaborate fight scene featuring swords, whips, and fireballs. Producer Robert Sallin has said "We had some characters that had electricity coming out of their fingertips. I was very, very concerned."

TonyPH

Trivia: For many years, the UCLA library has held a tape for a black and white 1982 sci-fi film titled "Pisces Project." That is a code name: it is in fact an early rough cut version of 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan' featuring many deleted scenes that cannot be seen anywhere else. It's been sitting there since possibly the 1980s. It is available for public viewing via appointment, but the tape is prohibited from leaving the building.

TonyPH

Audio problem: On Ceti Alpha V after Chekov urges Captain Terell, "We need to get out of here," we hear Terrell respond with "But the tricorder..." But his lips actually say "But the child..." The line referred to a deleted scene so it was recorded over in post.

TonyPH

Trivia: Saavik was originally written to be a male character, which would explain why her name begins with 'S' when traditionally female Vulcan names start with 'T'.

TonyPH

Trivia: Every shot of the Enterprise that doesn't also contain another element exclusive to this film (such as the Reliant, Space Station Regula I, the Mutara Nebula, et al.) is stock footage from Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Yes, all of them. Every last one! If it's a solitary shot of the Enterprise floating through space, it's re-used footage.

TonyPH

Trivia: It's been noted that the villain Khan represents the book 'Moby Dick'. In addition, the heroes of the film represent 'A Tale of Two Cities', the Charles Dickens tome Spock gives to Kirk as a gift. Like the character Sydney Carton, Spock makes a noble sacrifice, and at the end Kirk quotes, "It is a far, far better thing I do now..." Star Trek II is essentially "Moby Dick Vs. A Tale of Two Cities (in Space!) "

TonyPH

Trivia: Broke the record for highest grossing opening weekend at the time, earning $14 million in three days.

TonyPH

Trivia: Early script drafts featured Khan gaining psychic powers with the ability to create illusions in the minds of others. One draft even replaced Khan entirely with an original villain who better suited such fantastical mental powers. By the time Nicholas Meyer wrote the shooting script, Khan was reinstated as the villain and the psychic angle was dropped.

TonyPH