“I want to play a 100 year-old admiral…”
Over 40 years ago, a Star Trek icon participated in the making of a fan film, which led to the new documentary Beam Me Up, Sulu. Today, actor George Takei has been portraying the legendary character of Hikaru Sulu for the better part of 60 years. However, he still has ambitions of returning to the role once again, which made him a household name. Takei said in an interview via TrekMovie.com:
“I am 88 years old… There are 88 year-old military leaders today. I would like to think that we’re living longer and prospering more than a few decades past. And by the 23rd century, we might have learned how to elongate our lives and be still active contributors to society. So, I want to play a 100 year-old admiral, or maybe a 120 year-old Admiral. That’s science fiction, isn’t it?”
Takei most recently took up the mantle of Captain Sulu again in 2025’s must-listen podcast, Star Trek: Khan. As the commander of the USS Excelsior, Sulu begrudgingly escorted Dr. Rosalind Lear back to the barren world of Ceti Alpha V, so she could further research the log entries of former Starfleet historian Marla McGivers, in an attempt to incriminate James T. Kirk for exiling Khan and his people to the doomed planet.
Unknown to Sulu, Lear was, in fact, Khan Noonien Singh’s daughter, Kali! Unfortunately, Sulu never learned her true identity in the audio drama, which was the podcast’s only failing in my eyes.
I loved getting to catch up with Sulu again, and I hope Takei does have the opportunity to reprise his role in a live-action setting soon. Takei was wonderful in Star Trek: Khan, even though he played only a small part.
Have you watched George Takei’s new documentary Beam Me Up, Sulu? It is now available on the usual VOD platforms, including Fandango at Home, and fans can purchase the film for $12.99 or rent it for only $6.99. And for more Star Trek content, visit the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!