Star Trek Beyond: George Takei Calls Gay Sulu "Really Unfortunate"

Hot on the trail of the news that Star Trek Beyond will feature the first openly gay character in John Cho's Sulu, the actor originally behind the character has reacted in surprising fashion. Speaking to THR, George Takei has flown in the face of assumptions that he would be delighted with the decision - designed by writer Simon Pegg as a tribute to his advocacy of the LGBT Rights Movement.

In contrast, Takei isn't happy with the change:

"I’m delighted that there’s a gay character. Unfortunately, it’s a twisting of Gene’s creation, to which he put in so much thought. I think it’s really unfortunate."

He would clearly prefer a different, new character to be gay, as he told John Cho when he revealed all:

"I told him, 'Be imaginative and create a character who has a history of being gay, rather than Sulu, who had been straight all this time, suddenly being revealed as being closeted.'"

And for Takei, it isn't a matter of LGBT rights or about the new direction being a tribute to himself, it's simply a matter of fidelity to the source and the preservation of Gene Roddenberry's vision.

"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. Honor him and create a new character. I urged them. He left me feeling that that was going to happen."

He does have a point, in terms of the sanctity of the creative vision, but it's not like the current Star Trek cinematic universe is particularly bothered about proprietary vision. They've done enough already that suggests newness is top of the agenda, so making as progressive and bold a statement as changing the sexual orientation of a character wouldn't be classed as causing any issues.

And of course there will inevitably be the argument that it's a purely incidental detail. Sulu was never defined by his sexuality, so simply stating a new orientation in a matter of fact way that again doesn't define his relationship with other characters or his ability to operate as a character or a crewman shouldn't be deemed problematic. Normalising - which shouldn't have to happen in 2016 - is a big step forward.

But it seems Takei will remain stead-fasted in his opposition and it sounds like he feels somewhat betrayed by the fact that Lin and Pegg didn't choose to heed his concerns and introduce a new character.

And it's not like he's against LGBT issues being shown in Star Trek. Back in 1968, Takei came out to Roddenberry and pitched the idea of tackling homosexual rights in the show the same way Civil Rights and the Vietnam War had been allegorised. Unfortunately, circumstances - and the racist reaction to the first interracial kiss on TV - put paid to the possibility.

You can read more of the story here.