George Takei Speaks Out On Sulu Being Gay
It was revealed today that the J.J. Abrams version of Hikaru Sulu would be gay in the upcoming Star Trek Beyond film. In fact, the film will apparently show him with a husband, and with a young daughter. This was apparently meant as a gesture to original Sulu actor George Takei, who came out as gay in 2005. However, Takei himself is not happy with this, but maybe not for the reason you are thinking. As he told the Hollywood Reporter:
“I’m delighted that there’s a gay character,” Takei told The Hollywood Reporter. “Unfortunately, it’s a twisting of Gene’s creation, to which he put in so much thought. I think it’s really unfortunate.”
Furthermore, it was revealed by Takei that director Justin Lin and co-writer Simon Pegg came to him for permission to make Sulu gay, to which every time Takei said that they shouldn’t do it.
“I said, ‘This movie is going to be coming out on the 50th anniversary of Star Trek, the 50th anniversary of paying tribute to Gene Roddenberry, the man whose vision it was carried us through half a century,” Takei said. “Honor him and create a new character. I urged them. [Lin] left me feeling that that was going to happen.”
Star Trek: Beyond arrives July 22nd.