The world of Star Trek will finally get its first openly gay character, as Starship Enterprise helmsman Hikaru Sulu will open up about his sexual orientation in this month's Star Trek Beyond.
The character, who is played by John Cho in the most recent iteration of the franchise, will reveal that he's in a committed relationship with another man. Further, the two have a daughter together.
The Hollywood Reporter points to an interview Cho did with the Herald Sun, where he reveals that he didn't want his character's sexuality to be a big deal. "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, to not politicize one's personal orientations," he said.
Sulu was originally played by George Takei, who came out as gay in 2005. Trekkies will note that novels have long featured openly gay characters, but this marks the first time that an openly LGBTQ character has appeared onscreen in the franchise.
Watch the trailer for Star Trek Beyond below. The movie arrives on July 22.
UPDATE (07/08, 12 p.m.): In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, George Takei said he was disappointed in the decision. "I'm delighted that there's a gay character," he said. "Unfortunately, it's a twisting of [Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry's creation, to which he put in so much thought. I think it's really unfortunate."
The character, who is played by John Cho in the most recent iteration of the franchise, will reveal that he's in a committed relationship with another man. Further, the two have a daughter together.
The Hollywood Reporter points to an interview Cho did with the Herald Sun, where he reveals that he didn't want his character's sexuality to be a big deal. "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, to not politicize one's personal orientations," he said.
Sulu was originally played by George Takei, who came out as gay in 2005. Trekkies will note that novels have long featured openly gay characters, but this marks the first time that an openly LGBTQ character has appeared onscreen in the franchise.
Watch the trailer for Star Trek Beyond below. The movie arrives on July 22.
UPDATE (07/08, 12 p.m.): In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, George Takei said he was disappointed in the decision. "I'm delighted that there's a gay character," he said. "Unfortunately, it's a twisting of [Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry's creation, to which he put in so much thought. I think it's really unfortunate."
