Star Trek Beyond Just Revealed That Mr. Sulu Will Be the First Gay Character in the Franchise

Mr. Hikaru Sulu, who is played in the modern Star Trek films by actor John Cho is set to be revealed as gay in the next film, Star Trek Beyond. When we next pick up with Mr. Hikaru Sulu in Star Trek Beyond, he is portrayed as a father with a same-sex partner and a daughter. While it's a clear fact, it's also carried out in a casual manner, with no fanfare -- it's just there, which is something Cho appreciated.

"I liked the approach, which was not to make a big thing out of it," Cho told the Australian newspaper The Herald Sun while he was on a press tour for the movie. "[That] is where I hope we are going as a species, to not politicize one's personal orientations."

The change, also comes as a nod by writer (also stars in film) Simon Pegg and director Justin Lin, to the OG Sulu, Mr. George Takei. Takei played Sulu for many years in the television and film series, and didn't come out as gay until 2005. When asked why it took so long, Takei said it was because as an actor in the 60s, he'd have gotten no work in the industry as an openly declared gay male. 

Star Trek Beyond debuts in theaters July 22, 2016. Check out the latest, final trailer for the movie below: