John Cho, who plays Enterprise helmsman Hikaru Sulu in the upcoming Star Trek Beyond, has revealed the fan favourite character is openly gay and married in the new film.
Audiences got their first look at the action-packed science-fiction film - and Sulu's relationship - at the world premiere in Sydney on Thursday night, where Cho was joined by fellow cast member Chris Pine, Karl Urban and Zachary Quinto and director Justin Lin.
Actor John Cho, who plays the iconic Mr Sulu in the upcoming Star Trek Beyond. Photo: Getty Images
The cast members of Star Trek Beyond in Australia this week to kick off promotions for the film, which will be released on July 22.
Cho told the Herald Sun that Sulu, a role first made made famous by George Takei in the 1966 Star Trek TV series, is married to a man and father to a daughter with his partner.
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.
John Cho, Karl Urban, director Justin Lin, Zachary Quinto and Chris Pine arrive ahead of the Star Trek Beyond Australian Premiere in Sydney. Photo: Getty Images
Cho said scriptwriter Simon Pegg and director Justin Lin decided 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 politicise one's personal orientations," Cho said.
However, the actor who played Sulu in the original television and film series is less than impressed with the character development.
George Takei, who is openly gay, told The Hollywood Reporter that despite being happy to see a gay character in the film, he wishes Mr Sulu had remained straight.
"Unfortunately, it's a twisting of Gene (Roddenberry)'s creation, to which he put in so much thought," Takei said. "I think it's really unfortunate."
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 Frozen also started an online movement for "Give Elsa A Girlfriend," asking Disney to make the princess character gay in the upcoming sequel, gaining support from actress Idina Menzel, who voices Elsa.
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.
Addressing the audience at the premiere, a sombre Chris Pine - who returns as Captain Kirk - spoke of the loss that the entire cast felt.
"It has been the hardest two weeks," Pine said. "He was part of the family, which is what this has become."
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