J.J. Abrams envisioned a significant role for an iconic actress from Star Trek: The Original Series in his 2009 film, yet included her would have created complications within Star Trek’s established canon. With his innovative approach, Abrams transformed the world of Star Trek for a new generation, revamping the beloved USS Enterprise and introducing fresh interpretations of Captain James T. Kirk (played by Chris Pine) and his crew, while also featuring the legendary Leonard Nimoy as the original Spock.
The film established a new narrative arc, known as the Kelvin timeline, diverging from the prime timeline after the events instigated by a Romulan named Nero (portrayed by Eric Bana). As a supernova threatened to obliterate Romulus, Ambassador Spock devised a solution involving red matter to save the planet. However, his efforts proved futile as both he and Nero were pulled into the past. Nero’s emergence in 2233 led to the destruction of the USS Kelvin, setting a chain reaction into motion. While Nimoy’s inclusion was easily rationalized, adding another original series star into the mix would have posed a challenge.
Nichelle Nichols’ Near-Cameo as Uhura’s Grandmother in Star Trek (2009)
Discussions Surrounding a Possible Cameo with J.J. Abrams
At the Supernova Pop Culture Expo in 2008, Nichelle Nichols revealed that she had engaged in conversations with director J.J. Abrams regarding the possibility of a cameo in the forthcoming Star Trek film. As reported by TrekMovie.com, Abrams had proposed that Nichols might portray the mother of Lt. Nyota Uhura, played by Zoe Saldaña. Nichols suggested instead that she could take on the role of Uhura’s grandmother, an idea that excited Abrams. Unfortunately, the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike thwarted any plans for Nichols’s involvement.
Moreover, Nichols noted that J.J. Abrams aimed to prevent any cameo from becoming mere “gimmickry.”With much of the narrative set in the 2250s, the only rationale for Leonard Nimoy’s Spock’s appearance was through time travel. Introducing another character from Star Trek: The Original Series would have led to narrative inconsistencies. Although Nichols could have played Uhura’s grandmother as Abrams envisioned, this scenario presented its own dilemmas.
The Sweetness of a Cameo Would Have Coincided with Canon Confusion
The Challenge of Coexisting Characters Across Timelines
While many fans would have welcomed the opportunity to see Nichelle Nichols reprise her role in Star Trek, it might have been one classic actor too many for the film to balance. Leonard Nimoy’s portrayal of Ambassador Spock was a crucial thread in the storyline. For Nichols to make a meaningful appearance, she ideally would have needed to play the Uhura from Star Trek: The Original Series. Introducing an entirely new character, even a familial relation to Uhura, might have sparked confusion for audiences. Effectively, Star Trek (2009) could accommodate either Nimoy’s Prime Universe Spock or Nichols’s grandmother character, but not both simultaneously.
One of the highlights of the film was the encounter between Nimoy’s Spock and a youthful alternate-universe Kirk, as he offered insights to the alternate version portrayed by Zachary Quinto.
According to Abrams, there needed to be a compelling reason for any TOS actors’ participation in his film. Since the storyline revolved around Nero, Romulus, and Ambassador Spock, Nimoy’s presence was essential. An overabundance of familiar faces could have turned the film into a vehicle of empty fan service. Ultimately, Nimoy’s Spock served as a heartfelt tribute to TOS, seamlessly integrating Star Trek (2009) into the broader Trek framework.
A Fitting Finale in Playing Uhura’s Grandmother
A Nostalgic Cameo, But Uhura Remains an Enduring Legacy
While Lt. Uhura has always been a prominent character, she often found herself sidelined during her tenure on Star Trek: The Original Series. Nichols had limited opportunities to expand her character beyond her familiar “hailing frequencies”lines. Thankfully, the portrayals by Zoe Saldaña and Celia Rose Gooding have reimagined Uhura, infusing her character with new layers and making her an even more dynamic figure. However, none of these modern interpretations would have been possible without the trailblazing work of Nichelle Nichols.
Nichols continued her acting and participated in conventions until just a few years prior to her passing in 2022 at the age of 89.
Nichols’ final on-screen portrayal as Uhura was in 1991’s Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, marking a cameo in Star Trek (2009) as a fitting closure to her enduring Star Trek journey. Regardless, the significance of Nichols’ portrayal of Uhura resonates throughout the franchise, influencing scores of women and especially Black women who aspire to follow in her footsteps. Even in her absence from Star Trek (2009), Nichelle Nichols’ impact is palpable in every scene involving Uhura.