Valeris instead of Saavik

Introducing Valeris into the story made it really obvious that she was a conspirator. Funny story...my mother has watched some Star Trek through the years, but is by no means an expert on the series, the films, nor the continuity. When we watched Trek VI together many years ago, very early in the film she stated, "she's the one behind this all, isn't she?" I told her to hush and keep watching. You have the ensemble cast, and they aren't about to make one of the main cast a conspirator. Like any old generic mystery series, you already know that one of the guest stars is the bad seed. Since there was a conspirator on board the Enterprise and since Valeris was the only one on the ship that was new, it was obvious.

Saavik would have added a shocking twist to the development. Even if it meant recasting her again, I'd much prefer they have kept the characater as Saavik rather than shoehorning in the character of Valeris to fill the gap. It compromised the plot somewhat to make her a new character all around.

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Whose idea was it for the word "Lisp" to have an "S" in it?

http://whatculture.com/film/12-least-successful-recastings-of-iconic-f ilm-characters.php/2

It might seem ridiculous to say so now, but Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan was originally intended to be the last Star Trek film. The critical and commercial failure of Star Trek: The Motion Picture led to the second film being made on a much lower budget, and the fact that Spock was being killed off in its climactic moments put a feeling of finality upon proceedings. But once TWOK became a commercial hit, producer Harve Bennett began planning a further sequel, which subsequently became a loose trilogy with Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.

Most of the core cast of TWOK returned for Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, with Leonard Nimoy stepping into the director’s chair as well as reprising the title character. But Kirstie Alley, who had played his half-Vulcan counterpart Saavik, did not return. Saavik was Alley’s first big screen role, and due to a legal oversight her contract did not contain any stipulations regarding a sequel. Worrying about being typecast, Alley demanded more money but Bennett refused and replaced her with Robin Curtis for the next two films.

Alley’s performance as Saavik is one of the more under-appreciated aspects of TWOK. It’s a thankless role in some respects, having to play the by-the-book rookie against the experienced crew of the Enterprise, but Alley brought an earnest commitment to the role which made it more than the “tits and ass” performance that the producers wanted. Curtis, by contrast, isn’t particularly charismatic and seems uneasy amongst all the prostethics and silly costumes. While Alley worked hard to make her character rounded, Curtis allows Saavik to become at best an awkward distraction.

Can i ask if, Saavik or Valeris was used in the Star Trek comics long after the sixth Trek movie came out?! Has Star Trek EU (Expanded Universe) ever addressed Valeris after her arrest at Camp Khitomer or brought up Saavik again either?

ST4


Finally VF5:FShttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_qjJ6eI1Og&feature=player_embedded

For whatever reason they cut the reference to the Romulan half of Saavik's heritage in the film. Books are meaningless to the continuity of a film franchise, particularly when the book isn't the basis of the film but vice versa. The entire audience doesn't bother to read the novelization of the movie.

Was it a mistake for Alley to ask for too much money for ST:III? I don't think not doing it damaged her career. It would have been nice for fans of the franchise if she'd continued in the role but that was her choice to make.