Star Trek Beyond’s Simon Pegg ‘respectfully disagrees’ with George Takei over gay Sulu

Simon Pegg has revealed he “respectfully disagrees” with George Takei’s criticism of making his former Star Trek character gay.

Takei – who played Hikaru Sulu in the 1960s TV series – described the move as “really unfortunate” and urged director Justin Linn to “honour” creator Gene Roddenberry and instead create a new LGBT character.

But Pegg has explained the idea was shunned to avoid “tokenism”.

In a statement he said: "I have huge love and respect for George Takei, his heart, courage and humour are an inspiration. However, with regards to his thoughts on our Sulu, I must respectfully disagree with him."

"We could have introduced a new gay character, but he or she would have been primarily defined by their sexuality, seen as the ‘gay character’, rather than simply for who they are, and isn’t that tokenism?"

Pegg – who plays Scotty in the new films and penned the new screenplay – dismissed Takei’s claim that Roddenberry had always envisioned Sulu as heterosexual and claimed the decision to make him straight was a “necessity of the time”.

He continued: “The viewing audience weren’t open minded enough at the time and it must have forced Roddenberry to modulate his innovation. His mantra was always ‘infinite diversity in infinite combinations’.

“If he could have explored Sulu’s sexuality with George, he no doubt would have. Roddenberry was a visionary and a pioneer but we choose our battles carefully.”

Sulu will be played by John Cho – who said the decision to make the character gay was made as a nod to Takei.

Star Trek Beyond is released in UK cinemas on July 22.

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