7 Things You Didn’t Know About ‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan’
Long before Marvel superheroes, Harry Potter, or Lord of the Rings took over the big screen, you probably couldn’t find a more passionate fanbase than Star Trek fans. From the original TV series, which debuted in 1966, to the 1979 release of the franchise’s very first big-screen movie, Trekkies have always been eager to check out new chapters in the story of their favorite intergalactic adventurers — but right before Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan entered the world, 43 years ago today, there was some question about whether the Starfleet crew would ever boldly go anywhere, ever again.
A new Star Trek TV series had been planned for production in the ’70s, but the success of 1977’s Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope convinced producers to bring the story to the big screen instead. That first film, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, received lukewarm reactions from critics, which caused the studio to take creative control away from Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry; the movie also failed to match its astronomical budget at the box office.
However, despite it all, loyal Trekkies demanded more. Therefore, a second, lower-budgeted film was planned, and on June 4th, 1982, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan premiered. The film, which follows Captain James T. Kirk and the crew’s clash with genetically engineered supervillain Khan Noonien Singh, was an instant success, setting a record for first-day box office gross, and ensured that the USS Enterprise would visit the big screen again and again.
Let’s live long, prosper, and celebrate this amazing sequel’s 43rd anniversary with seven things you probably never knew about Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan!
1It was made for far less money than the first Star Trek movie
Everett Collection
Following the less-than-stellar reception of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Paramount drastically slashed the budget for the sequel. While the first film cost somewhere between $26 and $44 million (depending who you ask), Wrath of Khan was made for around $11 million, a fraction of its predecessor’s budget. The smaller budget forced the filmmakers to focus more on storytelling and character dynamics rather than visual spectacle. Ironically, this constraint contributed to the film’s emotional impact, making it one of the franchise’s most highly-touted classics.
2Ricardo Montalbán’s chest was real
(c)Paramount. Courtesy: Everett Collection.
One of the most hotly debated trivia points about Wrath of Khan concerns Ricardo Montalbán‘s muscular chest. Many fans assumed it was a prosthetic, due to how prominent and defined it looked on screen (the guy is practically busting out of his shirt!). However, director Nicholas Meyer confirmed that it was entirely real, with no enhancement or body doubles. Despite being in his 60s, Montalbán had been training rigorously for the role and was in excellent shape at the time of filming.
3The Genesis simulation was groundbreaking CGI (for 1982, anyway!)
The Genesis Device demonstration sequence went down in cinematic history as one of the earliest uses of computer-generated imagery (CGI) in a major film. Created by ILM (Industrial Light & Magic), it showcased the theoretical terraforming of a planet in a single, continuous visual. It was considered cutting-edge at the time and amazed audiences with its realism and fluid motion. This moment paved the way for the now-standard use of CGI in science fiction and Hollywood as a whole.
4It was inspired by naval warfare
Director Nicholas Meyer drew heavy inspiration from naval stories and war films when crafting Wrath of Khan. The film’s tone and pacing reflect classic submarine thrillers, such as The Enemy Below and Run Silent, Run Deep. Key scenes, like the final space battle in the Mutara Nebula, even mimic submarine tactics with sonar-like tracking and stealth maneuvers. This approach gave the film a grounded, tactical feel that stood out from typical sci-fi dogfights.
5Khan and Kirk never share the screen
Despite the fierce rivalry between Captain Kirk and Khan, the two characters never actually appear together in the same room. All of their interactions occur via viewscreens or through indirect communication. This was partly due to scheduling conflicts with Ricardo Montalbán, who was filming his hit TV show Fantasy Island at the time. It’s a true testament to the film’s editors (not to mention the acting ability of both performers) that the tense chemistry between them remains a true highlight of the movie.
6The title changed several times
Paramount Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection
The film’s title went through several iterations during development. It was originally titled The Undiscovered Country, which was later reused for Star Trek VI. At one point, it was called The Vengeance of Khan, but this was changed to avoid conflicting with Return of the Jedi, which was at the time still titled Revenge of the Jedi (got all that?). The final title, The Wrath of Khan, struck the right dramatic tone and emphasized the theme of revenge, so it stuck, and the rest is history.
7Spock’s death was Leonard Nimoy’s idea
One of Wrath of Khan’s most memorable events was the apparent death of Mr. Spock. Believe it or not, this was actually Leonard Nimoy‘s idea, as he initially only agreed to reprise the role if the character was given a dignified and meaningful death. He believed it would give the story emotional weight and provide a satisfying end to his arc.
As filming progressed, however, Nimoy enjoyed the project so much that he wanted to come back for future films. This led to the addition of subtle clues—like the mind-meld with McCoy—that paved the way for Spock’s eventual return in the third film.
Remind
Glamour Goddesses
May 2025
Marilyn Monroe’s iconic wind-aided dress. Audrey Hepburn’s little black gown. Jean Harlow’s form-fitting costumes. Celebrate the lushest Hollywood looks among the stars.
Buy This Issue