From the very first moment “Star Trek” came on the air, Gene Roddenberry‘s vision of a multi-cultural, diverse future was realized. It was groundbreaking stuff at the time, and certainly marked a break away from how casting usually went in the mid-’60s. Still, sexual orientation has yet to be reflected as broadly on either the big or small screen as it is in real life, but once again, “Star Trek” looks to be leading the charge.
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In an interview with the Herald Sun, John Cho has revealed that in the upcoming “Star Trek Beyond,” Sulu will be gay, a gesture from screenwriter Simon Pegg and director Justin Lin to George Takei, who originally portrayed the character but for years had to hide his orientation to make it in Hollywood. But don’t expect a big onscreen moment for Sulu — it sounds like it will all be done fairly low-key.
“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.
Sulu will have a partner and daughter in the picture, but as the actor explained, it will be presented as a matter of course, and not as a statement. But either way, the world has already sat up and taken notice.
“Star Trek Beyond” opens on July 22nd.