Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

Sulu comes out as gay in new 'Star Trek' film, annoying former Sulu George Takei

Also in Tattle: Ariana Grande, Steven Adler, Ellie Kemper, Jon Bon Jovi, Sarah Silverman and Emma Watson

STAR TREK helmsman Hikaru Sulu is going to be gay. And the original Sulu, George Takei, who is gay, isn't happy about it.

"I'm delighted that there's a gay character," Takei told The Hollywood Reporter. "Unfortunately, it's a twisting of Gene [Roddenberry]'s creation, to which he put in so much thought. I think it's really unfortunate."

Takei said Roddenberry was very supportive of the LGBT movement, but envisioned Sulu as heterosexual.

But not an active heterosexual like Captain Kirk.

The Hollywood Reporter said that although Sulu mentioned a daughter, he never had an on-screen love interest during Star Trek's initial three-season run.

New Sulu John Cho called old Sulu last year to tell him that Sulu was coming out of the Enterprise closet.

"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,' " Takei said.

When Star Trek: Beyond director Justin Lin called Takei with the same news, the actor again objected.

"I said, 'This movie is going to be coming out on the 50th anniversary of Star Trek, the 50th anniversary of paying tribute to Gene Roddenberry, the man whose vision it was that carried us through half a century. Honor him and create a new character. I urged them. He left me feeling that that was going to happen," Takei said.

Nope. New Sulu is gay. And old Sulu is feelin' no pride.

TATTBITS

* E! News reports that Ariana Grande will play Penny Pingleton in NBC's Hairspray Live!

* According to the Los Angeles Times, original Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler ("Out Ta Get Me" and "My Michelle") played two songs with the band in Cincinnati on Wednesday night.

It was the first time since the band's legendary mess of a set at 1990's Farm Aid.

No word yet from former member Izzy Stradlin.

* The star of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is breaking into print.

And if the book business can't break Kimmy probably nothing will.

Scribner has announced it will publish a collection of humorous essays from Ellie Kemper, who plays the title character in the Netflix comedy series and was formerly on The Office.

To be published in 2018, the book - not yet titled - will feature stories from Kemper's life, from growing up in St. Louis to her career in Hollywood.

Scribner describes Kemper's writing style as "relatable, unexpected, insightful and hilarious."

Jon Bon Jovi was a reluctant singer at a Florida wedding last weekend.

Videos show the rocker sheepishly taking the microphone after a wedding band led by singer Lourdes Valentin launched into Bon Jovi's 1986 classic, "Livin' on a Prayer."

Bon Jovi opted for a smoother delivery of the song to match the jazz quintet. A trumpet player added a solo to fill in for the song's missing electric guitar riff.

Valentin told the Associated Press she knew Bon Jovi would be a guest at the wedding and she prepared the song specifically for him. She says he told her he didn't think he wanted to sing before the party and she was "very surprised" when he decided to "grace us with his talent."

* Comedian Sarah Silverman says she's "insanely lucky to be alive" after undergoing surgery and spending a week in the intensive care unit due to what she calls "a freak case of epiglottitis."

Epiglottitis is a swelling of the cartilage lid that covers the windpipe. The condition can block the flow of air into lungs and is potentially life threatening.

Silverman wrote in a Facebook post Wednesday that she underwent surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and couldn't be put to sleep for the recovery process due to low blood pressure. She added that she had to have her hands restrained to keep her from pulling out her breathing tube.

She says she owes her life to the hospital's staff.

* The Guardian reported that Emma Watson's latest film The Colony opened to the equivalent of $61 at the British box office over the weekend.

The low number can probably not be blamed on Brexit.

- Daily News wire services contributed to this report.

gensleh@phillynews.com
215-854-5678 @DNTattle