Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
This weekend was a big one for Star Trek fans everywhere. Justin Lin’s installment of the rebooted sci-fi universe, Star Trek Beyond, has finally been released, and between this movie and the Ghostbusters reboot, our inner nerds are still screaming.
Though Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, and Zoe Saldana typically get most of the Trekkie limelight, it’s our new Sulu, John Cho, who has been making headlines lately. The third film has made the mildly controversial decision to portray fan favorite Sulu as a gay man. Though we’re excited about the LGBT representation in one of our favorite series, we’re equally stoked about the increased attention this role has given Cho.
Cho is one of those rare actors that can excel at both campy, silly comedies and highly dramatic roles. In honor of this actor’s much-deserved return to the spotlight, we present to you our “meet queue” to Cho’s work. Think of it like a rom-com “meet cute” but instead of romance and crazy antics, we’re introducing you to a diverse and highly talented actor. Get ready to fall in love and start tweeting #StarringJohnCho.
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
If you already know Cho’s name, it’s likely from this stoner classic. Cho and Kal Penn play a best friend pair who watch a commercial for White Castle while stoned. What follows is the most epic fast food trip to ever be conceived. It’s this role that proved to us that Cho could nail irreverent, dumb humor.
[Where to watch Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle]
Star Trek (2009)
Cho has been part of the Star Trek universe ever since J.J. Abrams’ 2009 reboot. Though he didn’t get as much screen time as he deserved, Cho took on George Takei’s iconic role and made it his own. It was in the 2013 sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness that Cho was finally able to get behind the controls of the enterprise and show what he was dramatically capable of.
[Where to watch Star Trek (2009)]
FlashForward (2009 – 2010)
Cho’s performance made the cancellation of this short-lived ABC drama hurt even more. This series followed what would happen if for two minutes the entire world blacked out and saw six months into the future. The short answer to that question? Complete chaos. Cho played Special Agent Demetri Noh, a man who saw nothing in the future and who fears for his death. Because the show was constructed more as an anthology series, you can still watch FlashForward’s only season without feeling like you were robbed of too much.
Selfie (2014)
John Cho really doesn’t have great luck with ABC shows. This quirky take on our social media-obsessed culture pitted the internet-free Cho against the chronically narcissistic Karen Gillan. Yes, the series could be a bit heavy-handed at times, but the show’s moments of saving grace had everything to do with the chemistry between Cho and Gillan. If this freshman show had been given more attention, it could have been something interesting.
Star Trek Beyond (2016)
In the latest continuation to Abrams Star Trek universe, Cho resumes his role as Sulu with one slight difference: Sulu is portrayed as a gay man with a husband and daughter. The character choice was made as a nod to Takei. Though the newest Star Trek still treats Sulu as more of a minor character than we would like, Cho portrays the fan favorite well, confidently embodying the dramatic action hero we’ve grown to love.
Star Trek Beyond is now in theaters.
Photos: Everett Collection, Paramount, YouTube
