Standard News

Hide Advertisement
  • Business
  • Culture
  • News
  • Technology
  • Trending
Site logo
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Actor says ‘Star Trek’ fan favorite Sulu is gay in new film

July 7, 2016 | By Reuters
Cho poses at the party for the release of the Blu-Ray DVD of "Star Trek Into Darkness" at the California Science Center in Los Angeles

(Reuters) – The actor playing Hikaru Sulu in the upcoming sci-fi film “Star Trek Beyond” has revealed that the fan favorite character is openly gay and married in the new film, an Australian media outlet reported on Thursday.

Actor John Cho, who plays the role of Sulu first made famous by George Takei in the 1966 “Star Trek” television series, told Australia’s Herald Sun that Sulu, the helmsman of the starship USS Enterprise, is married to a man and is a father to a daughter with his partner.

Advertisement

The decision to make a long-time franchise staple character gay comes as Hollywood faces growing pressure to include more diversity in its blockbuster films. There is yet to be an openly gay superhero or action star leading a film franchise.

Cho said scriptwriter Simon Pegg and director Justin Lin made the decision to make Sulu gay to pay homage to the 79-year-old Takei, who is openly gay and married in real life.

“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,” Cho told the outlet.

Some fans of Marvel films sparked the online hashtag “Give Captain America A Boyfriend” in May, pushing for a same sex relationship between the hero and Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier.

Other fans for Disney’s animated film “Frozen” also started an online movement for “Give Elsa A Girlfriend,” asking Disney to make the princess character a lesbian in the upcoming sequel, gaining support from actress Idina Menzel, who voices Elsa.

Cho was joined by other cast members of “Star Trek Beyond” in Australia this week as they kick off promotions for the upcoming film, released in theaters on July 22.

The film has been cast under a dark shadow after one of its young stars, Anton Yelchin, was tragically killed after he was crushed by his car in Los Angeles last month.

(This article has been corrected to remove the erroneous reference to Sulu as Captain in lead paragraph and corrects to helmsman from captain in paragraph 2)

(Reporting by Piya Sinha-Roy in Los Angeles; Editing by Marguerita Choy)

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC661E3-VIEWIMAGE

← Previous Post Next Post →
Advertisement - Continue reading below
Share  On Facebook

FBI Director Comey to testify before House panel on Thursday

Baltimore officer waives jury trial in death of Freddie Gray

Art, furniture and more from the Reagans’ home to be auctioned

U.S. cable industry proposes allowing consumers to scrap set-top boxes

Florida mom, shot by four-year-old, won’t face charges over gun

Box Office: ‘Finding Dory’ Scores Record $136.2 Million Opening

Weird Phenomenon In Missouri Is Boggling People’s Minds

New York reports first female-to-male Zika transmission via sex

Amazing Pictures Showing Exploration Of An Abandoned Russian Mine In The Mountains

UK Charity Launches Vending Machines for Homeless That Give Out Free Living Essentials

load more Loading posts...

sidebar

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

sidebar-alt

  • About Us
  • Imprint
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy