HUGE Mr Sulu Spoiler

[Tom Servo]

I can understand his position somewhat, but at the same time, I think he'd be quite happy that there is a gay man as a lead in a major film franchise. Granted, this is a different timeline too, with different character interpretations, why can't this be one of them?

 

[Amaris]

There's no arguing with that crowd, Coloratura. These are the people that for some reason were okay with other minorities portrayed on Star Trek, and then when someone is shown to have a different sexual orientation than them, suddenly this portrayal of minorities is being "forced on the audience." Because diversity comes in race, sexual orientation, level of disability, and many other ways, and you can't just reject one form of diversity while accepting another.

I've generally found that "forced on the audience" is another way of saying "it has to be acknowledged as existing." It's like when two guys kiss in public and someone gets mad that it's all in their face, yet they see hundreds of other heterosexual couples do the same thing and give it not one thought.

I can understand his position somewhat, but at the same time, I think he'd be quite happy that there is a gay man as a lead in a major film franchise. Granted, this is a different timeline too, with different character interpretations, why can't this be one of them?

I adore George Takei, but he's popularly known as "the helmsman from Star Trek who turned out to be gay." I imagine this takes away some of that distinction because there's now a new "helmsman from Star Trek who turned out to be gay." In short, as @BillJ says, it might be stealing some of his thunder and he doesn't like that.

 

[m.lp.ql.m]

I've no issue with homosexuality being represented in Star Trek. I just don't like the way it's being forced on the audience.

"I've no issue with homosexuality being represented in Star Trek. I just don't like it being represented in Star Trek."

 

[Devon]

I wonder if Takei feels it will steal some of his thunder?

I like George and he's still being gracious, but it seems he's more concerned with offending the "Gene God." I think having a major character being gay is a lot bigger deal to those who are looking for a hero role. Supposedly the supporting characters were originally cast to represent a certain demographic (at least that's the story that's been told over the years.)

 

[m.lp.ql.m]

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/george-takei-reacts-gay-sulu-909154

"Takei first learned of Sulu's recent same-sex leanings last year, when Cho called him to reveal the big news. Takei tried to convince him to make a new character gay instead. "I told him, 'Be imaginative and create a character who has a history of being gay, rather than Sulu, who had been straight all this time, suddenly being revealed as being closeted.'"
​

So, wait, is Sulu closeted, or just gay? There's a big difference.

 

[BillJ]

I like George and he's still being gracious, but it seems he's more concerned with offending the "Gene God." I think having a major character being gay is a lot bigger deal to those who are looking for a hero role. Supposedly the supporting characters were originally cast to represent a certain demographic (at least that's the story that's been told over the years.)

What I mean is that they are now establishing something major with the character that he has nothing to do with. Sulu is no longer solely his creation.

 

[Amaris]

"Takei first learned of Sulu's recent same-sex leanings last year, when Cho called him to reveal the big news. Takei tried to convince him to make a new character gay instead. "I told him, 'Be imaginative and create a character who has a history of being gay, rather than Sulu, who had been straight all this time, suddenly being revealed as being closeted.'"
​

So, wait, is Sulu closeted, or just gay? There's a big difference.

I doubt he's closeted, so I don't know where George got that idea, it's just never came up in the movies. Well, this time it will come up, and I get the idea nothing will be made of it other than run of the mill, routine life. I think this is an excellent idea.

 

[nx1701g]

I'm happy with this news, but I've been expecting it since 09.

 

[angry apple panda]

In short, as @BillJ says, it might be stealing some of his thunder and he doesn't like that.

I don't know. It seems beneath someone like Takei to be jealous like that. I'm a little irked that he is so staunchly against it, but it also might simply come from a more traditional view on characterization where fictional characters are immutable and not subject to reboots or reimaginings. I think it's a more post-modern style of viewing characterization in that manner. He is of a different generation. It's okay with me that he thinks this. I don't agree with his reasonings, but I accept it.

 

[Dar70]

I totally agree with George.(glad hes being honest and not sugarcoating his assessment) The character was originally straight no matter how people try to retcon it now....I would have liked to have seen a new character created that was gay though. Must have shocked cho,lin and pegg when Takei didn't like the idea.

 

[Amaris]

I don't know. It seems beneath someone like Takei to be jealous like that. I'm a little irked that he is so staunchly against it, but it also might simply come from a more traditional view on characterization where fictional characters are immutable and not subject to reboots or reimaginings. I think it's a more post-modern style of viewing characterization in that manner. He is of a different generation. It's okay with me that he thinks this. I don't agree with his reasonings, but I accept it.

Um, again, I love George Takei, but it's clear the man has a petty side. We all do, but we've seen it with George.

 

[Phoenix219]

But...he's being made gay as an 'homage' to him. This is kind of the same sort of self-aware fan-wank that brought us Spock yelling "Khaaan!" simply because it's become a Youtube meme.

Yeah.. this just seems like its being done because it is the easy, pop culture friendly way of doing it. There have been enough jokes and memes concerning Takei over the years, that everyone reconizes it, Trek fan or not. Its the no risk/easy reward way of doing things. Also, agreed with those saying it wouldn't matter if they hadn't already tried to directly connect all the series thru time travel shenanigans instead of just calling it a total reboot. Takei has played Sulu as straight and with a daughter twice now (whether canon or not) and this has blatantly been stated to be the same Sulu. It sucks having to resort to "they had sex at different times, so it was a different sperm" to explain differences in characters that share he same names (like when Chekov was born.)

 

[borgboy]

They've barely given any screen time to Sulu as it is. If they'd created a new character to be gay, then people would complain the new character was taking time away from the established crew. Sometimes there's no winning.
I think seeing Sulu as bi/pan works best. It doesn't take anything away from his past and still allows him to be happily married to his husband too.

 

[Amaris]

Yeah.. this just seems like its being done because it is the easy, pop culture friendly way of doing it. There have been enough jokes and memes concerning Takei over the years, that everyone reconizes it, Trek fan or not. Its the no risk/easy reward way of doing things. Also, agreed with those saying it wouldn't matter if they hadn't already tried to directly connect all the series thru time travel shenanigans instead of just calling it a total reboot. Takei has played Sulu as straight and with a daughter twice now (whether canon or not) and this has blatantly been stated to be the same Sulu. It sucks having to resort to "they had sex at different times, so it was a different sperm" to explain differences in characters that share he same names (like when Chekov was born.)

It's still an alternate universe, and in this one Sulu is gay.

 

[BillJ]

I totally agree with George.(glad hes being honest and not sugarcoating his assessment) The character was originally straight no matter how people try to retcon it now....I would have liked to have seen a new character created that was gay though. Must have shocked cho,lin and pegg when Takei didn't like the idea.

You mean one that no one has any connection to, that they can easily dispatch when the fan base gets riled up? Like Carol Marcus?

 

[angry apple panda]

Um, again, I love George Takei, but it's clear the man has a petty side. We all do, but we've seen it with George.

Ah yeah. Well, maybe I haven't been following external events as much as I thought I had. I know that there's drama between Shatner and Takei. I am not familiar with his "pettiness" otherwise, but that's probably my fault for not paying attention.

 

[Kemaiku]

There is next to no evidence oldSulu is straight. When he flirts with a woman, it's either extremely awkward, another universe, or under the influence of something.

We never see his daughters other parent, and only what's onscreen counts. This just finally canonised it.

 

[m.lp.ql.m]

HUGE Mr Sulu Spoiler

Didn't they already do a huge Mr Spock in one of the TAS eps?

 

[Amaris]

Ah yeah. Well, maybe I haven't been following external events as much as I thought I had. I know that there's drama between Shatner and Takei. I am not familiar with his "pettiness" otherwise, but that's probably my fault for not paying attention.

He loves the drama. I'm not saying that this is definitely why Takei doesn't like it, only offering it as a possibility when all things are considered.

 

[Skywalker]

Maybe Takei was under the impression that Kelvin Sulu would be portrayed as a closeted gay man, but from all indications it sounds like that definitely won't be the case.