The producers asked George Takei to come back and play Sulu one more time, and take the helm of the Enterprise-B. But Takei refused, because if Sulu had taken the helm, this would have meant temporarily reducing Sulu's rank, so that he could serve under Captain Kirk again. He felt that Sulu had worked too hard to earn his command to allow even a temporary reduction. A new character, Demora, daughter of Sulu, was created to speak Sulu's lines.
The horse that William Shatner rides is his, as are the house and farm where the sequence takes place.
This was the first Star Trek film to be produced and filmed after the death of Gene Roddenberry. Following his death, the Star Trek creative team began using story ideas and concepts to which Roddenberry was opposed, which included the teaming up of Star Trek (1966) and Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) characters.
This was the first film to have a website created to promote it. The site was launched at generations.viacom.com on October 28, 1994, three weeks before the release of this film. The site featured a graphical interface resembling the LCARS display of the Enterprise. Site content included: video of both versions of the movie trailer. audio clips and photos. cast and crew biographies. shopping from a catalogue of Star Trek videos on VHS (and a 1-800-number to call to order) a downloadable "interactive kit" with images and videos and a simple game. a fan survey on Star Trek favorites and on-line access. The website was mentioned on the NCSA "What's New" site, and quickly became one of the most popular destinations on the fledgling World Wide Web. This website no longer works.
James T. Kirk's final two words, "Oh, my..." are a spontaneous ad-lib made by William Shatner. Shatner later explained this was Kirk's reaction to eternity and truly going where Kirk had never gone before.
Tim Russ: The Vulcan security chief Tuvok on Star Trek: Voyager (1995) has a small role as a human member of the bridge crew of the Enterprise-B. In addition, he played the mercenary Devor in Starship Mine (1993).
Jenette Goldstein: As a member of the bridge crew on the Enterprise-B. Goldstein was originally considered for the role of Tasha Yar on Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987), and her own performance in Aliens (1986) was the original inspiration for the role.
Whoopi Goldberg: Reprising her role as the Enterprise's bartender Guinan from Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987), but is not credited in the cast list.
Patricia Tallman: The actress who plays Lyta Alexandar on the television series Babylon 5 (1993) is Gates McFadden's stunt double in this film. She can clearly be seen as Doctor Crusher falling off the sailing ship.
Patti Yasutake: Nurse Alyssa Ogawa from Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) appears in a Sickbay scene, but has no spoken dialogue.