Star Trek Discovery showrunner weighs in on gay Sulu: 'The bigger picture is that we need gay representation'

On George Takei: 'I absolutely understand why he feels that way'

John Cho as Hikaru Sulu

Just before the release of Star Trek: Beyond, actor John Cho revealed his version of Mr. Sulu is a gay man with a husband and daughter, paying homage to George Takei.

However, despite Takei being a prolific LGBT rights activist, he seemingly disproved of the choice to change the character’s sexuality, telling The Hollywood Reporter it was “twisting” Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry's vision.

Speaking to the same publication, Bryan Fuller, the showrunner for Star Trek Discovery - the new TV series set to hit Netflix internationally in the near future - weighed in on the discussion.

"It is that interpretation that you worked with, with the creator of the show, that has been cemented in your mind," he told THR. "So I think he is absolutely entitled to feel that way, because I absolutely understand why he feels that way.

“I think the bigger picture is that we need gay representation. And the fact that they embraced that idea and made John Cho's portrayal as Sulu a gay man was a lovely move of inclusivity.”

The showrunner went on to explain how both versions of the character could differ in sexuality: “With the science-fiction extrapolation of one universe to the other and the fluidity of sexuality, it feels like there’s an explanation that both of those things exist.

“Because George Takei’s Sulu in the prime universe is a heterosexual man, and John Cho’s Sulu in the Kelvin universe is a homosexual man, it proves that sexuality is not a solid-state situation.”

The first trailer for Star Trek Discovery was recently released at Comic-Con, with Fuller saying of the series: "It’s not going to be episodic. We’re going to be telling stories like a novel.

"The new series has to remind audiences the message of Star Trek — continuing to push boundaries. We do have to celebrate a progression of our species because right now we need a little help.”

Catch up with all the film trailers that hit this year’s Comic-Con, here.