For many devoted Trekkies, theStar Trekuniverse is a second home, filled with iconic characters and memorable adventures. But hidden within its rich history lies a character that most fans have never heard of: Xon.
Xon was poised to take on a significant role in the franchise, but ultimately faded into obscurity. Unlike the well-known crew members of the USS Enterprise, Xon never made an appearance in anyStar Trekmovie or TV series. Still, his story is a fascinating glimpse into the franchise’s history and the creative decisions that shaped it.
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The Birth of Xon: A Spock Replacement
In the late 1970s, Paramount Pictures,along with Gene Roddenberryand the originalStar Trekcast, was planning a sequel series referred to asStar Trek IIorStar Trek: Phase II. This new series would have continued the adventures of the USS Enterprise, captained once again by James T. Kirk. However, one crucial element was missing – Spock. Leonard Nimoy, who portrayed the beloved Vulcan science officer in the original series, declined to be part of the series for several reasons, primarily involving legalities. In response, Roddenberry conceived a replacement: Xon.
Xon, a Vulcan born in the early 2260s, had an intriguing backstory. He was initially betrothed to another Vulcan, but a tragic accident altered his destiny. In the DC ComicsSaavik’s Story, Pon Far!, Ambassador Sarek arranged for Xon to be betrothed to Saavik, a half-Romulan character.
By 2285, Xon had risen to the rank of Captain and had an office at Starfleet Academy. During this time, he embarked on a clandestine mission to investigate a Romulan plot involving Gary Mitchell’s powers, all while posing as a Romulan. This mission ultimately led to his discovery and interrogation, only to be saved by Saavik andthe USS Enterprise crew, as depicted inSaavik’s Storycomic,Blood Fever.
Xon’s Journey To the Big Screen
Initially, Xon was part of the plans forStar Trek: Phase II, but fate had other ideas when director Robert Wise took the helm for the Star Trek feature film. Wise’s wife, Millicent, was a passionateStar Trekfan and insisted thatSpock’s absence would be detrimentalto the franchise. Moved by his wife’s conviction, Wise returned to Paramount and insisted that Leonard Nimoy reprise his role as Spock, recognizing the character’s significance to theStar Treklegacy. Paramount’s top executives, Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg, agreed, fearing the fan backlash if Spock was excluded. Negotiations with Nimoy swiftly resolved the legal dispute, and Spock was back in the fold, marking his return to the big screen.
As a result, Xon’s fate took a different turn. A revised draft of the screenplay initially had Xon as the victim of a lethal transporter malfunction. Actor David Gautreaux had been cast as Xon and even underwent screen tests in full Vulcan makeup. The actor, however, did not want his character to be introducedonly to be immediately killed off. Instead, a new character, Commander Sonak, played by Rashad Beyzade Kamal, met this unfortunate fate.
Xon, on the other hand, was written out of the film entirely. Nevertheless, as a consolation, Gautreaux appeared at the beginning ofStar Trek: The Motion Pictureas a human Starfleet character named Commander Branch.
Xon: The Vulcan Who Almost Was
Despite his absence from the firstStar Trekfilm, the creative team had not entirely abandoned the idea of Xon. During the film’s production, the plan was to keep the character in reserve for potential future films or television series. Gautreaux even had an interview with Leonard Nimoy during the early stages ofStar Trek III: The Search for Spock. During this meeting, they discussed the impact of Nimoy’s return on Gautreaux and the missed opportunity that had left Xon on the sidelines.
In many ways, Xon’s story is a reflection of the complex decisions and creative processes that shape beloved franchises likeStar Trek. While he never had the chance to grace our screens, Xon remains afascinating piece ofStar Trekhistory. He may not be a household name among Trekkies, but his story is a testament to the ever-evolving nature of theStar Trekfranchise. In spite of losing what could potentially be the role of a lifetime, Xon’s character lives on as a reminder of the creative twists and turns thatStar Trekuniverse has taken.
While Xon may have faded into the background, the enduring legacy ofStar Trekcontinues to explore new frontiers, making room for both familiar faces and forgotten ones like Xon. In the ever-expandinguniverse that Roddenberry built, one can’t help but wonder if someday, Xon might find his way back into the fold. Until then, he remains a lesser-known, yet intriguing, footnote in the legacy ofStar Trek.
