John Cho is Sulu in Star Trek 11

Following quickly on the heels of the announcement that British filmmaker Simon Pegg (”Hot Fuzz”, “Shaun of the Dead”) has been cast in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek 11 as Scotty, the chief engineer of the Enterprise, comes news that Korean-American actor John Cho (”Harold and Kumar go to White Castle”) has been cast as Sulu. Cho joins a cast that already includes Zoe Saldana as Uhura, Anton Yelchin as a young Chekov, and Zachary Quinto as young Spock. Leonard Nimoy will reprise his role as Spock, while Eric Bana has signed on to play the film’s villain. Meanwhile, Chris Pine is still in talks to play the young James T. Kirk, the Enterprise’s head honcho.

Lt. Hikaru Sulu, known for his love of fencing, always was seen on deck piloting the ship next to Chekov. George Takei played the character in the 1960s TV series and the 1980s movies.

Cho starred as Harold in the cult hit “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.” He is reprising the role for the sequel. Cho is repped by Gersh, Principato/Young and attorney Alex Kohner.

I have to say, this is certainly a very interesting cast. It’s a good idea for Abrams to go with Pine as young Kirk. You can’t have a well-known actor in the role, but a mostly unknown one like Pine would allow the character to exist AS Kirk, and not as some famous face PLAYING Kirk.

(via)