The latest sequel to J.J. Abram’s Star Trek reboot is set to hit theaters at the end of this month, and as the cast members are making there rounds on the talk show circuit, plot points are being revealed, namely that Mr. Sulu is gay.
John Cho, who plays the U.S.S. Enterprise’s pilot Mr. Sulu, visited Sydney to promote Star Trek Beyond along with fellow cast mates Chris Pine (Captain Kirk), Zachary Quinto (Spock), Karl Urban (Dr. McCoy) and director Justin Lin.
In the interview, Cho reveals that his character not only has a same-sex partner, but that the both of them are raising a daughter.
“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 said.
Cho said that the decision to make his character gay was that of writer Simon Pegg, who also plays Scotty in the film, and Lin as a nod to George Takei, Mr. Sulu from the original television series and film franchise.
Takei came out as gay in a magazine interview in 2005. Takei married his longtime partner, Brad Altman, in 2008.
Star Trek Beyond hits theaters July 22.
