Though perhaps we’d all prefer Star Trek’s iconic characters left as is, like it or not there’s a new movie coming and along with it will come new versions of those classic, much beloved characters. No matter how hard JJ Abrams and his cast try to stay true to cannon, new actors means at least some difference in the names we know and love.
Sci Fi Wire has an interview with John Cho, who has taken on the role of Sulu in the new Trek movie, in which he discusses some of the differences in his take on Hikaru, compared to Takei’s original performances. Cho’s doing his best to stay true to Sulu, but as he’s quick to point out: He’s not George.
Cho says, “I wanted this Sulu to be a little bit more innocent, a little bit younger and a little bit more caught off guard by all of this stuff. And I felt like it would be a nice way to begin that arc, since we’re going back in time.” Makes sense, since even though Sulu was one of the younger members of the original crew we’re catching him even earlier in his career. He’s practically a baby.
John also makes it clear that he never tried to copy Takei’s mannerisms. He continues, “I thought, ‘George is such a iconic personality. You know, he’s around, and he’s very famous, and I just felt it best not to imitate him. One, I do not have the vocal cords. They do not do that voice. They don’t do that sound. I think there’s exactly one person in the world that can do that voice. So I just felt that that would be a bad idea for me, and it would just scream imitation.”
His Sulu may be a little different, but it sounds like his take on the character is also respectful. For the complete interview, click over to SciFiWire.
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