Star Trek Beyond

[a-dev]

I'm more familiar with the movies than the show itself - was there any allowance for the possibility Sulu was gay in the TV show? He was never a big enough role in the movies to show him being straight or gay - but his daughter appears in Star Trek Generations - so I think we all assumed the character was straight despite George Takei being gay.

 

[YoNoSe]

I hope Kumar plays his husband.

 

[YoNoSe]

They bang alien species on Trek. I figured everybody was at least tri-sexual.

 

[karamazov80]

I'm more familiar with the movies than the show itself - was there any allowance for the possibility Sulu was gay in the TV show? He was never a big enough role in the movies to show him being straight or gay - but his daughter appears in Star Trek Generations - so I think we all assumed the character was straight despite George Takei being gay.

Seems like a retcon. But given that Takei is one of the more well known gay actors out there, I think this is actually a cool little nod to him. And homosexuals are about 5% of the population, so it's totally possible that in a large ensemble cast you'll have one guy or gal fitting this criteria.

 

[meanstreak]

I don't understand why some people make a big deal about LGBT representation in media, even if you personally thing its shoehorned in. They are a part of our society and should be represented in films and tv.

in the case of Sulu being gay I like that it's a nod to Takei and it doesn't mess with anything pre-existed in this universe to turn the character gay.

 

[karamazov80]

Like a-dev says though, he had a daughter in Generations, who is of Asian decent. So I think it is almost definitely a retcon that does mess a bit with the pre-existing universe. But of course, they can construct a post-hoc justification easily enough.

 

[YoNoSe]

I think they said in the article that he is raising a daughter with his partner.

 

[a-dev]

Seems like a retcon. But given that Takei is one of the more well known gay actors out there, I think this is actually a cool little nod to him. And homosexuals are about 5% of the population, so it's totally possible that in a large ensemble cast you'll have one guy or gal fitting this criteria.

In this case I'm only wondering if it's contradictory to the character's past. If it isn't then I can't say I have an issue with it. Certainly from what I can remember - his daughter showing up in Star Trek Generations - that can be plausibly retconned to not be his biological daughter. But if the TV series had him letching after women and/or scoring with them then it's a change that would make no sense....having said that, I don't consider the Abramsverse canon anyway

George Takei must be rolling his eyes in a way - typical that they finally decide the character is gay when he, a gay man, isn't playing him anymore.

 

[meanstreak]

Like a-dev says though, he had a daughter in Generations, who is of Asian decent. So I think it is almost definitely a retcon that does mess a bit with the pre-existing universe. But of course, they can construct a post-hoc justification easily enough.

A gay asian man can easily have an asian daughter w/out having a wife.

He could've used a surrogate, adopted, etc.

It would only need a retcon if they showed or mentioned he had a wife.

 

[The Ween]

I have no problem with him being gay. I have several gay male friends, my problem is with them having to point it out. They don't point out everyone else's sexuality.

They should point out Kirk's bi, tri, whatever sexuality. He'll screw anyone and everything.

 

[Prime Clone]

It doesn't need retconning cos it exists in the Kelvin Timeline. Sulu Prime can still be straight.

 

[KitFisto]

I read George Takei doesn't like it

 

[Prime Clone]

Seems a bit tokenistic, as does this whole conversation about who's gay or straight in Star Wars, Marvel, Disney etc. Shouldn't even be relevant.

 

[Spartan Rex]

Soon, EVERY movie and TV show will be required to have gay characters.

Stop acting surprised Kit, they showed what a swordsman he was on TOS and he has hundreds of hours logged navigating around mysterious black holes and Uranus....especially Uranus.

 

[KitFisto]

Stop acting surprised Kit, they showed what a swordsman he was on TOS and he has hundreds of hours logged navigating around mysterious black holes and Uranus....especially Uranus.

.

 

[The Ween]

https://www.yahoo.com/movies/george-takei-reacts-to-gay-sulu-news-i-think-230139207.html

 

[The Ween]

Seems a bit tokenistic, as does this whole conversation about who's gay or straight in Star Wars, Marvel, Disney etc. Shouldn't even be relevant.

That's how I feel. Why bring it up at all? If they show Sulu with a man, so be it. But to announce it like it should receive special attention sort of defeats the purpose.

 

[kryptonianmutie]

https://www.yahoo.com/movies/george-takei-reacts-to-gay-sulu-news-i-think-230139207.html

 

[a-dev]

Seems a bit tokenistic, as does this whole conversation about who's gay or straight in Star Wars, Marvel, Disney etc. Shouldn't even be relevant.

Apparently it was to avoid a sense of tokenism that they made Sulu gay instead of introducing a new character who is gay

https://screenrant.com/star-trek-beyond-simon-pegg-george-takei-sulu-gay/

 

[The Ween]

Apparently it was to avoid a sense of tokenism that they made Sulu gay instead of introducing a new character who is gay

https://screenrant.com/star-trek-beyond-simon-pegg-george-takei-sulu-gay/

Seems no matter what there's going to be complaints from someone.