Cho Receives Takei's Blessing

TrekToday · February 25 2008, 11:22 PM

Taking on a role that someone else made famous is both nerve-wracking and exciting, according to John Cho, who will be playing Sulu in Star Trek XI.

As reported at SciFi.com, Cho and Takei met for lunch after Cho had written to the actor who had originally played Sulu. "I had lunch with George before we started filming," Cho said. "I wrote him a letter, and we met, and he gave me what amounted to a blessing, and in his typically classy way. I told him I was nervous, and he said, 'Relax. Pretty soon people are going to refer to me as the guy who played the old version of John Cho.'"

As reported at CBR, as a child, Cho admired Takei's work. "He wasn’t wearing a cone-shaped hat or building a railroad," said Cho, referring to Takei playing non-stereotypical roles. "It’s an honor for me to step in to fill his very big slippers."

Taking on the role of an established character can be a tricky business. "I think the trick is, and I think...that everyone involved in the movie is trying to do, what I'm trying to do, is to pay homage to my predecessor and to create something new at the same time," said Cho. "I won't bore you with the particulars, nor can I speak about them for fear of legal indemnity. But I think everyone is trying to do the same thing, is trying to do both simultaneously, and hopefully we're succeeding."

Cho got a kick out of putting on the Starfleet uniform for the first time. "It was unbelievable," he said. "I can't tell you how cool it feels to put on the outfit, look at yourself in the mirror, and go 'Holy s--t.' And then take yourself and your outfit over to the bridge of the Enterprise. But you're looking around, and you're on the bridge of the Enterprise. It's really crazy. It's really insane."

To read more, head to the articles located here and here.

Kpnuts · February 25 2008, 11:31 PM

Does this guy EVER shut up?!

Augustus · February 25 2008, 11:53 PM

I thought it was nice...

Jack Bauer · February 26 2008, 12:37 AM

Kpnuts wrote:

Does this guy EVER shut up?!

Just be glad he isn't yapping about an Excelsior series again.

T'Bonz · February 26 2008, 12:38 AM

Kpnuts wrote:

Does this guy EVER shut up?!

He is an absolute sweetheart. I never mind reading stuff about him.

Chindogu · February 26 2008, 12:57 AM

TrekToday wrote:

"I had lunch with George before we started filming," Cho said. "I wrote him a letter, and we met, and he gave me what amounted to a blessing, and in his typically classy way. I told him I was nervous, and he said, 'Relax. Pretty soon people are going to refer to me as the guy who played the old version of John Cho.'"

Takei has a pretty good sense of humour, I think. He seems to have the right perspective when it comes to this film.

One of the things I'm looking forward to is how the crew dynamic will be. Abrams is pretty good when it comes to directing ensamble casts. Hopefully each character gets at least one opportunity to shine.

Pioneer · February 26 2008, 03:43 AM

TrekToday wrote:

"It’s an honor for me to step in to fill his very big slippers."

I think he mean to say "very light loafers".

Now people remember, George Takei has a very good sense of humor. Do you? OK then, no slings and arrows.

biotech · February 26 2008, 06:09 PM

I think the most interesting part of this was what he said about the uniform, it dosnt seem to be the sort of thing you would say if it wasnt the same one we were all used to seeing.

Dane_Whitman · February 26 2008, 06:18 PM

Takei can talk all he want, I like the guy.

Turtletrekker · February 27 2008, 07:38 AM

Kpnuts wrote:

Does this guy EVER shut up?!

Do you?

February 25 2008, 11:22 PM	#1
TrekToday Rear Admiral	Cho Receives Takei's Blessing Taking on a role that someone else made famous is both nerve-wracking and exciting, according to John Cho, who will be playing Sulu in Star Trek XI. As reported at SciFi.com, Cho and Takei met for lunch after Cho had written to the actor who had originally played Sulu. "I had lunch with George before we started filming," Cho said. "I wrote him a letter, and we met, and he gave me what amounted to a blessing, and in his typically classy way. I told him I was nervous, and he said, 'Relax. Pretty soon people are going to refer to me as the guy who played the old version of John Cho.'" As reported at CBR, as a child, Cho admired Takei's work. "He wasn’t wearing a cone-shaped hat or building a railroad," said Cho, referring to Takei playing non-stereotypical roles. "It’s an honor for me to step in to fill his very big slippers." Taking on the role of an established character can be a tricky business. "I think the trick is, and I think...that everyone involved in the movie is trying to do, what I'm trying to do, is to pay homage to my predecessor and to create something new at the same time," said Cho. "I won't bore you with the particulars, nor can I speak about them for fear of legal indemnity. But I think everyone is trying to do the same thing, is trying to do both simultaneously, and hopefully we're succeeding." Cho got a kick out of putting on the Starfleet uniform for the first time. "It was unbelievable," he said. "I can't tell you how cool it feels to put on the outfit, look at yourself in the mirror, and go 'Holy s--t.' And then take yourself and your outfit over to the bridge of the Enterprise. But you're looking around, and you're on the bridge of the Enterprise. It's really crazy. It's really insane." To read more, head to the articles located here and here.

February 25 2008, 11:31 PM	#2
Kpnuts Commodore Location: London	Re: Cho Receives Takei's Blessing Does this guy EVER shut up?!

February 25 2008, 11:53 PM	#3
Augustus Fleet Captain Location: Sadly, not in Texas	Re: Cho Receives Takei's Blessing I thought it was nice... __________________ I don't know... I didn't go.

February 26 2008, 06:09 PM	#8
biotech Vice Admiral Location: Hull, Yorkshire, England	Re: Cho Receives Takei's Blessing I think the most interesting part of this was what he said about the uniform, it dosnt seem to be the sort of thing you would say if it wasnt the same one we were all used to seeing.

February 26 2008, 06:18 PM	#9
Dane_Whitman Captain Location: Dinner to bug.	Re: Cho Receives Takei's Blessing Takei can talk all he want, I like the guy. __________________ "The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

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