The news that popular Star Trek character Sulu will be gay in the latest instalment of the film has largely been met by praise – except from George Takei, who starred as Sulu in the original series.
Now the cast of Star Trek Beyond, which has just been released in the UK, have said they support the decision.
"It is high time for an LGBT character to be included in the Star Trek universe," Zachary Quinto, who plays Spock, told the BBC.
Takei, who is gay, earlier told the Hollywood Reporter that while he was "delighted" to see a gay character in the film it was "twisting of Gene Roddenbury's creation, to which he put in so much thought."
British star Simon Pegg reiterated that the current iteration of the character "doesn't change George's Sulu in any way", and claimed that Takei's vision of his own character would remain the same, despite the reboot.
This is the first time a Star Trek film or show has had an LGBT character, and it may not be the last – showrunner Bryan Fuller suggested the new TV series may have a similar character. "I think the progressive audience that loves Star Trek will be happy that we’re continuing that tradition," he told Collider.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
