July 7, 2016
Paying Homage to Takei, Mr. Sulu Revealed as Gay in 'Star Trek Beyond'
READ TIME: 1 MIN.
LGBT Trekkies may be delighted when they see the newest "Star Trek" movie, "Star Trek Beyond," this summer: Actor John Cho, who plays Hiraku Sulu, revealed writer Simon Peeg and director Justin Lin decided to make the character gay, according to Australia's Herald Sun.
In "Star Trek Beyond," it's revealed Mr. Sulu is in a long-term same-sex relationship and is raising a daughter. Cho said Peeg and Lin wanted to pay homage George Takei, the openly gay actor and LGBT rights activist who played Sulu in the original '60s "Star Trek" series.
"I liked the approach, which was not to make a big thing out it, which is where I hope we are going as a species," Cho said. "Not to politicize one's personal orientations."
Speaking with Entertainment Tonight in January, Cho noted "Beyond" starts with our stars missing home and that "Sulu has a heartache for his little baby."
LGBT representation in the "Star Trek" world has been an ongoing issue. Bryan Fuller, who is helming the CBS re-boot series slated for 2017, said fans hoping for LGBT characters on the upcoming show "will be very happy," New Now Next reports.
"Star Trek Beyond" hits theaters July 22.
Watch Cho's ET interview below.
