<p>US President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled the new logo of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-space-force-unveils-camouflage-uniform-gets-trolled-on-twitter-275237">America's newest military branch, Space Force</a>. However, the latest announcement did not go well on social media as people quickly started drawing similarities to a "Star Trek" insignia.</p>

<p>"After consultation with our Great Military Leaders, designers, and others, I am pleased to present the new logo for the United States Space Force, the Sixth Branch of our Magnificent Military!" Trump wrote on Twitter as he revealed the new logo.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">After consultation with our Great Military Leaders, designers, and others, I am pleased to present the new logo for the United States Space Force, the Sixth Branch of our Magnificent Military! <a href="https://t.co/TC8pT4yHFT">pic.twitter.com/TC8pT4yHFT</a></p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1220821545746141187?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>With a central symbol resembling an arrowhead, ringed by an orbiting object and set to a starry backdrop, It drew immediate <a href="http://wionews.com/world/united-states-space-force-donald-trump-creates-new-warfare-service-branch-of-pentagon-269433">mockery among social media</a> users as many users pointed out the striking similarities and argued the design has been stolen from the famous science fiction franchise.</p>

<p>However, the spokesperson of the branch has denied the allegations and argued that the "Delta" emblem had been used by Air Force space organisations as early as 1961, before the first Star Trek show aired.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The delta symbol, the central design element in the seal, was first used as early as 1942 by the US Army Air Forces; and was used in early Air Force space organisation emblems dating back to 1961," the spokesperson said.</p>

<p>The logo bears an uncanny resemblance to the insignia of Starfleet, the peacekeeping and exploration force of the United Federation of Planets alliance, which is headquartered on Earth whose adversaries include Klingons and Romulans.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="und">🧐 <a href="https://t.co/j1A1yDcTOy">pic.twitter.com/j1A1yDcTOy</a></p>
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) <a href="https://twitter.com/Alyssa_Milano/status/1220890915989909505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Space Force. To boldly go where Star Trek went before. <a href="https://t.co/kpNUTzuA5F">pic.twitter.com/kpNUTzuA5F</a></p>
— Ken Olin (@kenolin1) <a href="https://twitter.com/kenolin1/status/1221107625716260864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Space Force. <a href="https://t.co/m4DYJUlBVf">pic.twitter.com/m4DYJUlBVf</a></p>
— Space Explorer Mike (@MichaelGalanin) <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelGalanin/status/1221099864160907264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Trump revealed the new space force logo and it is plagiarism from Star Trek! We can do better! Which logo do you prefer? <a href="https://t.co/0fsuFfr3rO">pic.twitter.com/0fsuFfr3rO</a></p>
— Paul van der Meer (@Paul_VanDerMeer) <a href="https://twitter.com/Paul_VanDerMeer/status/1221074077672247304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


US President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled the new logo of America's newest military branch, Space Force. However, the latest announcement did not go well on social media as people quickly started drawing similarities to a "Star Trek" insignia.

US President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled the new logo of America's newest military branch, Space Force. However, the latest announcement did not go well on social media as people quickly started drawing similarities to a "Star Trek" insignia. "After consultation with our Great Military Leaders, designers, and others, I am pleased to present the new logo for the United States Space Force, the Sixth Branch of our Magnificent Military!" Trump wrote on Twitter as he revealed the new logo. After consultation with our Great Military Leaders, designers, and others, I am pleased to present the new logo for the United States Space Force, the Sixth Branch of our Magnificent Military! pic.twitter.com/TC8pT4yHFT — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2020 × With a central symbol resembling an arrowhead, ringed by an orbiting object and set to a starry backdrop, It drew immediate mockery among social media users as many users pointed out the striking similarities and argued the design has been stolen from the famous science fiction franchise. However, the spokesperson of the branch has denied the allegations and argued that the "Delta" emblem had been used by Air Force space organisations as early as 1961, before the first Star Trek show aired. "The delta symbol, the central design element in the seal, was first used as early as 1942 by the US Army Air Forces; and was used in early Air Force space organisation emblems dating back to 1961," the spokesperson said. The logo bears an uncanny resemblance to the insignia of Starfleet, the peacekeeping and exploration force of the United Federation of Planets alliance, which is headquartered on Earth whose adversaries include Klingons and Romulans. 🧐 pic.twitter.com/j1A1yDcTOy — Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) January 25, 2020 × Space Force. To boldly go where Star Trek went before. pic.twitter.com/kpNUTzuA5F — Ken Olin (@kenolin1) January 25, 2020 × Space Force. pic.twitter.com/m4DYJUlBVf — Space Explorer Mike (@MichaelGalanin) January 25, 2020 × Trump revealed the new space force logo and it is plagiarism from Star Trek! We can do better! Which logo do you prefer? pic.twitter.com/0fsuFfr3rO — Paul van der Meer (@Paul_VanDerMeer) January 25, 2020 × (With inputs from agencies)

Trump launches Space force logo; Twitter points out striking similarities with Star Trek emblem

<p>Looks like we might just get an Indian connection to the famous American TV show&nbsp;Star Trek&nbsp;with actor Adil Hussain joining ‘Star Trek: Discovery’.</p>

<p>The ‘English Vinglish’ star shared a&nbsp;trailer for the third season of the show in which he features in a pivotal role. He can be seen briefly alongside actors Doug Jones, Sonequa Martin-Green, Anthony Rapp, David Ajala, Wilson Cruz, and Michelle Yeoh.</p>

<p>Sharing the news on Twitter, Adil wrote: “Excited and thrilled to be a part of the @StarTrek Cast in the 3rd Season. Here is the trailer. Have a &nbsp;look you might be happy to see me 😁👇 @SonequaMG @dibang”</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Excited and thrilled to be a part of the <a href="https://twitter.com/StarTrek?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StarTrek</a> Cast in the 3rd Season. Here is the trailer. Have a look you might be happy to see me 😁👇 <a href="https://twitter.com/SonequaMG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SonequaMG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/dibang?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dibang</a> <a href="https://t.co/jwqzXQlpyY">https://t.co/jwqzXQlpyY</a></p>
— Adil hussain (@_AdilHussain) <a href="https://twitter.com/_AdilHussain/status/1186869478543347712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The one-minute-ten-second trailer of series based in a fictional world takes the audience 930 years into the future.</p>

<p>As seen in the trailer, Adil seems to be playing the role of a scientist who is helping in the fight against evil forces.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The third season of 'Star Trek' is slated to premiere next year.</p>


Looks like we might just get an Indian connection to the famous American TV show Star Trek with actor Adil Hussain joining ‘Star Trek: Discovery’. The ‘English Vinglish’ star shared a trailer for the third season of the show in which he features in a pivotal role.

Looks like we might just get an Indian connection to the famous American TV show Star Trek with actor Adil Hussain joining ‘Star Trek: Discovery’. The ‘English Vinglish’ star shared a trailer for the third season of the show in which he features in a pivotal role. He can be seen briefly alongside actors Doug Jones, Sonequa Martin-Green, Anthony Rapp, David Ajala, Wilson Cruz, and Michelle Yeoh. Sharing the news on Twitter, Adil wrote: “Excited and thrilled to be a part of the @StarTrek Cast in the 3rd Season. Here is the trailer. Have a look you might be happy to see me 😁👇 @SonequaMG @dibang” Excited and thrilled to be a part of the @StarTrek Cast in the 3rd Season. Here is the trailer. Have a look you might be happy to see me 😁👇 @SonequaMG @Dibang https://t.co/jwqzXQlpyY — Adil hussain (@_AdilHussain) October 23, 2019 × The one-minute-ten-second trailer of series based in a fictional world takes the audience 930 years into the future. As seen in the trailer, Adil seems to be playing the role of a scientist who is helping in the fight against evil forces. The third season of 'Star Trek' is slated to premiere next year.

Adil Hussain joins 'Star Trek: Discovery' cast, watch new trailer

<p>Actor Adil Hussain, who worked in films like 'Kabir Singh'&nbsp;and 'Life of Pi', has joined the star cast of American web series 'Star Trek: Discovery'.<br />
<br />
The makers of the series shared the trailer on Twitter in which Adil is seen briefly role alongside actors Doug Jones, Sonequa Martin-Green, Anthony Rapp, David Ajala, Wilson Cruz, and Michelle Yeoh.<br />
<br />
"#StarTrekDiscovery takes fans 930 years into the future at #NYCC #StarTrekNYCC," read the video's caption. The one-minute-ten-second trailer of series based in a fictional world takes the audience 930 years into the future.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StarTrekDiscovery?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StarTrekDiscovery</a> takes fans 930 years into the future at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYCC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYCC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StarTrekNYCC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StarTrekNYCC</a> <a href="https://t.co/6WRTcSa4d0">https://t.co/6WRTcSa4d0</a> <a href="https://t.co/c1hnkYmGC5">pic.twitter.com/c1hnkYmGC5</a></p>
— Star Trek (@StarTrek) <a href="https://twitter.com/StarTrek/status/1180540109898186752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Going by the clip, Hussain seems to be playing the role of a scientist who is helping in the fight against evil forces. Before sharing the first trailer on social media, makers launched it at the New York Comic-Con on Saturday.</p>

<p>The third season of&nbsp; 'Star Trek'&nbsp;is slated to premiere next year.</p>


Actor Adil Hussain, who worked in films like 'Kabir Singh' and 'Life of Pi', has joined the star cast of American web series 'Star Trek: Discovery'. The makers of the series shared the trailer on Twitter in which Adil is seen briefly role alongside actors Doug Jones, Sonequa Martin-Green, Anthony Rapp, David Ajala, Wilson Cruz, and Michelle Yeoh.

Actor Adil Hussain, who worked in films like 'Kabir Singh' and 'Life of Pi', has joined the star cast of American web series 'Star Trek: Discovery'. The makers of the series shared the trailer on Twitter in which Adil is seen briefly role alongside actors Doug Jones, Sonequa Martin-Green, Anthony Rapp, David Ajala, Wilson Cruz, and Michelle Yeoh. "#StarTrekDiscovery takes fans 930 years into the future at #NYCC #StarTrekNYCC," read the video's caption. The one-minute-ten-second trailer of series based in a fictional world takes the audience 930 years into the future. #StarTrekDiscovery takes fans 930 years into the future at #NYCC #StarTrekNYCC https://t.co/6WRTcSa4d0 pic.twitter.com/c1hnkYmGC5 — Star Trek (@StarTrek) October 5, 2019 × Going by the clip, Hussain seems to be playing the role of a scientist who is helping in the fight against evil forces. Before sharing the first trailer on social media, makers launched it at the New York Comic-Con on Saturday. The third season of 'Star Trek' is slated to premiere next year.

'English Vinglish' star Adil Hussain joins 'Star Trek: Discovery' cast

<p>Star Trek icon George Takei took to social media Saturday to deny an allegation he molested a male model in 1981&nbsp;as Richard Dreyfuss and Gary Godard became the latest entertainment figures to push back against sexual misconduct accusations.</p>

<p>In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter published Friday, former model and actor Scott Brunton accused Takei, 80, of groping him while he was passed out from drinking at Takei&#39;s home.</p>

<p>Takei, who was in his early forties when the alleged incident took place, Saturday morning posted on Twitter and Facebook that it &quot;simply did not occur,&quot; adding he did not remember Brunton, who was 23 at the time.</p>

<p>&quot;Right now it is a he said / he said situation, over alleged events nearly 40 years ago,&quot; Takei said. &quot;But those that know me understand that non-consensual acts are so antithetical to my values and my practices, the very idea that someone would accuse me of this is quite personally painful.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Right now it is a he said / he said situation, over alleged events nearly 40 years ago. But those that know me understand that non-consensual acts are so antithetical to my values and my practices, the very idea that someone would accuse me of this is quite personally painful. /4</p>
&mdash; George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeorgeTakei/status/929334103605956608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>It came as actor Richard Dreyfuss, 70, was also accused of sexual misconduct Friday by writer Jessica Teich, 58.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She alleged the &quot;Jaws&quot; star harassed her over a period of two to three years in the mid-1980s, while she worked on a show he was producing. On one occasion, she said he exposed himself to her.</p>

<p>&quot;He created a very hostile work environment, where I felt sexualized, objectified, and unsafe,&quot; she told Vulture.</p>

<p>In a statement, Dreyfuss whose son Harry last week accused Kevin Spacey of groping him in 2008 denied exposing himself to Teich.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, he said he had &quot;flirted&quot; with women, Teich included,&nbsp;acknowledging &quot;how men have behaved toward women for eons is not OK.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;I did flirt with her, and I remember trying to kiss Jessica as part of what I thought was a consensual seduction ritual that went on and on for many years,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>&quot;I am horrified and bewildered to discover that it wasn&#39;t consensual. I didn&#39;t get it. It makes me reassess every relationship I have ever thought was playful and mutual.&quot;</p>

<p>Producer Gary Goddard, 63, also faced allegations of sexual misconduct toward a minor from &quot;ER&quot; and &quot;Top Gun&quot; actor Anthony Edwards.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Edwards, 55, published a blog post Friday alleging he was molested by Goddard a mentor and manager during his early career &nbsp;for &quot;years&quot; after meeting him aged 12.</p>

<p>&quot;Gary is saddened by the false allegations,&quot; a spokesman for the producer said, adding he denied the accusation &quot;unequivocally.&quot;</p>


Star Trek icon George Takei took to social media Saturday to deny an allegation he molested a male model in 1981? as Richard Dreyfuss and Gary Godard became the latest entertainment figures to push back against sexual misconduct accusations.

Star Trek icon George Takei took to social media Saturday to deny an allegation he molested a male model in 1981 as Richard Dreyfuss and Gary Godard became the latest entertainment figures to push back against sexual misconduct accusations. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter published Friday, former model and actor Scott Brunton accused Takei, 80, of groping him while he was passed out from drinking at Takei's home. Takei, who was in his early forties when the alleged incident took place, Saturday morning posted on Twitter and Facebook that it "simply did not occur," adding he did not remember Brunton, who was 23 at the time. "Right now it is a he said / he said situation, over alleged events nearly 40 years ago," Takei said. "But those that know me understand that non-consensual acts are so antithetical to my values and my practices, the very idea that someone would accuse me of this is quite personally painful." Right now it is a he said / he said situation, over alleged events nearly 40 years ago. But those that know me understand that non-consensual acts are so antithetical to my values and my practices, the very idea that someone would accuse me of this is quite personally painful. /4 — George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 11, 2017 × It came as actor Richard Dreyfuss, 70, was also accused of sexual misconduct Friday by writer Jessica Teich, 58. She alleged the "Jaws" star harassed her over a period of two to three years in the mid-1980s, while she worked on a show he was producing. On one occasion, she said he exposed himself to her. "He created a very hostile work environment, where I felt sexualized, objectified, and unsafe," she told Vulture. In a statement, Dreyfuss whose son Harry last week accused Kevin Spacey of groping him in 2008 denied exposing himself to Teich. However, he said he had "flirted" with women, Teich included, acknowledging "how men have behaved toward women for eons is not OK." "I did flirt with her, and I remember trying to kiss Jessica as part of what I thought was a consensual seduction ritual that went on and on for many years," he said. "I am horrified and bewildered to discover that it wasn't consensual. I didn't get it. It makes me reassess every relationship I have ever thought was playful and mutual." Producer Gary Goddard, 63, also faced allegations of sexual misconduct toward a minor from "ER" and "Top Gun" actor Anthony Edwards. Edwards, 55, published a blog post Friday alleging he was molested by Goddard a mentor and manager during his early career for "years" after meeting him aged 12. "Gary is saddened by the false allegations," a spokesman for the producer said, adding he denied the accusation "unequivocally."

George Takei, Richard Dreyfuss face sexual misconduct claims

When the original Star Trek&#39;s first episode aired I was minus 18 years old, but I respect the parent of Star Trek: Next Generation. Gene Roddenberry, the creator of the original Star Trek and all the later ones, was a pioneer several times over.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
A campy show about a diverse composition of earthlings exploring space was very radical in 1966. Whoopie Goldberg, who later played Guinan, cites the original Star Trek as a real inspiration for portraying minorities on air in integral roles.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The program was deeply philosophical once Jean Luc Picard took over as captain of the Starship Enterprise. Next Generation has beautiful values running through its sinews. The episode &quot;Who watches the watchers?&quot; got me hooked.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
While observing an alien planet (one that more or less resembles Earth), Picard&#39;s crew is accidentally responsible for the injury of a local, so they beam him aboard their ship, heal him with advanced medical technology, then return him.<br />
<br />
The local is under the impression his life was literally saved by a god named &quot;The Picard&quot;! The crew needs to decide whether to leave him under this false impression or violate the &nbsp;&quot;Prime Directive&quot; by showing him technology that will appear to him like divine magic.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Jean-Luc Picard gives an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6NPq_kPSUM">impassioned speech</a>&nbsp;arguing it&#39;s morally unacceptable to effectively send these beings to a backward age where belief in god holds sway. It was a proud moment for atheism. Television is, to put it lightly, not famous today for posing existential dilemmas. Star Trek Next Gen did. It had adventure and lots else too, but so do other shows. The philosophy underpinning Next Generation is something to treasure.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
So once again, happy birthday to the show that perhaps went to space because it was too smart for this world.<br />
<br />
(WION)&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
&nbsp;

A campy show about a diverse composition of earthlings exploring space was very radical in 1966

When the original Star Trek's first episode aired I was minus 18 years old, but I respect the parent of Star Trek: Next Generation. Gene Roddenberry, the creator of the original Star Trek and all the later ones, was a pioneer several times over. A campy show about a diverse composition of earthlings exploring space was very radical in 1966. Whoopie Goldberg, who later played Guinan, cites the original Star Trek as a real inspiration for portraying minorities on air in integral roles. The program was deeply philosophical once Jean Luc Picard took over as captain of the Starship Enterprise. Next Generation has beautiful values running through its sinews. The episode "Who watches the watchers?" got me hooked. While observing an alien planet (one that more or less resembles Earth), Picard's crew is accidentally responsible for the injury of a local, so they beam him aboard their ship, heal him with advanced medical technology, then return him. The local is under the impression his life was literally saved by a god named "The Picard"! The crew needs to decide whether to leave him under this false impression or violate the "Prime Directive" by showing him technology that will appear to him like divine magic. Jean-Luc Picard gives an impassioned speech arguing it's morally unacceptable to effectively send these beings to a backward age where belief in god holds sway. It was a proud moment for atheism. Television is, to put it lightly, not famous today for posing existential dilemmas. Star Trek Next Gen did. It had adventure and lots else too, but so do other shows. The philosophy underpinning Next Generation is something to treasure. So once again, happy birthday to the show that perhaps went to space because it was too smart for this world. (WION)

Happy 50th birthday, Star Trek!

She is emerging as the go-to star for big budget action blockbusters, knocking human and alien heads together in <em>Avatar</em>, <em>Guardians of the Galaxy</em>&nbsp;and <em>Star Trek</em>.<br />
<br />
But 38-year-old US actress Zoe Saldana isn&#39;t averse to giving her real-life adversaries a kicking either, with <em>Star Trek</em>&nbsp;grandee George Takei and English <em>James Bond</em>&nbsp;novelist Anthony Horowitz the latest in her firing line.<br />
<br />
Takei - in the headlines last week for criticising the upcoming <em>Star Trek Beyond</em>&nbsp;for giving his old character Hikaru Sulu a gay back story - ought to get out more, according to Saldana.<br />
<br />
&quot;I think that he&#39;s still too personally attached to this character that he created and I think that he needs to find that line between his personal life and this character,&quot; she told AFP ahead of the movie&#39;s July 22 US release.<br />
<br />
Openly-gay Takei took to Facebook on Wednesday to say that while he was &quot;delighted&quot; with the idea of LGBT characters in <em>Star Trek</em>, he didn&#39;t think writers Simon Pegg and Doug Jung should &quot;tinker with an existing character&quot;. Pegg, along with current Sulu actor John Cho and other cast members have defended the decision, but have been less forthright in their responses to Takei&#39;s criticisms than Saldana, who suggested she found them insulting.<br />
<br />
&quot;Maybe that&#39;s not the way (Takei) played him, but that&#39;s the way we decided to go,&quot; the actress, who took on the role of Nyota Uhura from series original Nichelle Nichols, told AFP.<br />
<br />
&quot;It is an alternate universe and maybe Uhura is gay too and that&#39;s why her and Spock maybe may not work. Is Nichelle Nichols going to come and insult the whole franchise?&quot;<br />
<br />
<strong>&#39;I am black&#39;</strong><br />
<br />
Saldana, born in the United States to Puerto Rican and Dominican parents, grew up in New York before moving to the Dominican Republic at the age of 10 when her father was killed in a car crash.<br />
<br />
Although ballet was her first love, she got into acting on her return to the US as a teenager and began bagging TV roles by the late 1990s.&nbsp;She appeared in more than a dozen films over the following decade, including <em>Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl</em>&nbsp;in 2003 and, fittingly, as a <em>Star Trek</em>&nbsp;fan in Steven Spielberg&#39;s <em>The Terminal</em>&nbsp;in 2004.<br />
<br />
Her big break came, though, in the 2009 movie reboot of the <em>Star Trek</em>&nbsp;film series by JJ Abrams.<br />
<br />
She has since been exploring the far reaches of the universe as blue-skinned Na&#39;vi heroine Neytiri in James Cameron&#39;s <em>Avatar</em>&nbsp;(also 2009) and green alien assassin Gamora in Marvel&#39;s <em>Guardians of the Galaxy</em>.&nbsp;It was another kind of skin tone alteration that caused her the most controversy, when she became embroiled in a &quot;blacking up&quot; scandal earlier this year for her portrayal of African American singer Nina Simone.<br />
<br />
&quot;There&#39;s no one way to be black,&quot; the mother of 20-month-old twin boys told Allure magazine in response to the criticism that she had darkened her skin and worn facial prosthetics in the widely-panned &quot;Nina&quot;.<br />
<br />
&quot;I&#39;m black the way I know how to be. You have no idea who I am. I am black. I&#39;m raising black men. Don&#39;t you ever think you can look at me and address me with such disdain.&quot;<br />
<br />
<strong>&#39;No more space&#39;</strong><br />
<br />
In fact, Saldana has spoken frequently about prejudice in Hollywood, whether it be the backlash against the gay Sulu storyline, sexism, ageism or racism.<br />
<br />
<em>Star Trek Beyond</em>&nbsp;is Saldana&#39;s third film with her friend Idris Elba, who found himself at the centre of a controversy last year when new James Bond novelist Anthony Horowitz described the actor as &quot;too street&quot; to play the spy.&nbsp;Saldana brings up the episode unprompted as she is singing Elba&#39;s praises, her expression darkening and her contagious smile contorting suddenly into a defiant sneer as she lets off a volley of one-syllable words you&#39;d never hear Uhura use.<br />
<br />
&quot;What kind of ignorant comment to make is that? Just say &#39;I don&#39;t see James Bond as a black man.&#39; I would respect that more than hiding behind some cowardly, stupid answer,&quot; Saldana said.<br />
<br />
<em>Star Trek Beyond</em>, a swash-buckling return to the knockabout fun of the first of the new films, looks likely to enjoy a generous reception from the critics, who gave a press screening in LA this week to an enthusiastic ovation.<br />
<br />
With the <em>Guardians of the Galaxy</em>&nbsp;sequel coming in 2017 and the announcement of a new <em>Avatar&nbsp;</em>movie, it seems Saldana&#39;s place in the stratosphere is safe for the foreseeable future.<br />
<br />
&quot;Hopefully that will be enough space for me for now. No more space,&quot; she said.<br />
<br />
(AFP)

Saldana blasted George Takei's criticism of making the Star Trek character 'Sulu' gay in the upcoming movie

She is emerging as the go-to star for big budget action blockbusters, knocking human and alien heads together in Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy and Star Trek. But 38-year-old US actress Zoe Saldana isn't averse to giving her real-life adversaries a kicking either, with Star Trek grandee George Takei and English James Bond novelist Anthony Horowitz the latest in her firing line. Takei - in the headlines last week for criticising the upcoming Star Trek Beyond for giving his old character Hikaru Sulu a gay back story - ought to get out more, according to Saldana. "I think that he's still too personally attached to this character that he created and I think that he needs to find that line between his personal life and this character," she told AFP ahead of the movie's July 22 US release. Openly-gay Takei took to Facebook on Wednesday to say that while he was "delighted" with the idea of LGBT characters in Star Trek, he didn't think writers Simon Pegg and Doug Jung should "tinker with an existing character". Pegg, along with current Sulu actor John Cho and other cast members have defended the decision, but have been less forthright in their responses to Takei's criticisms than Saldana, who suggested she found them insulting. "Maybe that's not the way (Takei) played him, but that's the way we decided to go," the actress, who took on the role of Nyota Uhura from series original Nichelle Nichols, told AFP. "It is an alternate universe and maybe Uhura is gay too and that's why her and Spock maybe may not work. Is Nichelle Nichols going to come and insult the whole franchise?" 'I am black' Saldana, born in the United States to Puerto Rican and Dominican parents, grew up in New York before moving to the Dominican Republic at the age of 10 when her father was killed in a car crash. Although ballet was her first love, she got into acting on her return to the US as a teenager and began bagging TV roles by the late 1990s. She appeared in more than a dozen films over the following decade, including Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl in 2003 and, fittingly, as a Star Trek fan in Steven Spielberg's The Terminal in 2004. Her big break came, though, in the 2009 movie reboot of the Star Trek film series by JJ Abrams. She has since been exploring the far reaches of the universe as blue-skinned Na'vi heroine Neytiri in James Cameron's Avatar (also 2009) and green alien assassin Gamora in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. It was another kind of skin tone alteration that caused her the most controversy, when she became embroiled in a "blacking up" scandal earlier this year for her portrayal of African American singer Nina Simone. "There's no one way to be black," the mother of 20-month-old twin boys told Allure magazine in response to the criticism that she had darkened her skin and worn facial prosthetics in the widely-panned "Nina". "I'm black the way I know how to be. You have no idea who I am. I am black. I'm raising black men. Don't you ever think you can look at me and address me with such disdain." 'No more space' In fact, Saldana has spoken frequently about prejudice in Hollywood, whether it be the backlash against the gay Sulu storyline, sexism, ageism or racism. Star Trek Beyond is Saldana's third film with her friend Idris Elba, who found himself at the centre of a controversy last year when new James Bond novelist Anthony Horowitz described the actor as "too street" to play the spy. Saldana brings up the episode unprompted as she is singing Elba's praises, her expression darkening and her contagious smile contorting suddenly into a defiant sneer as she lets off a volley of one-syllable words you'd never hear Uhura use. "What kind of ignorant comment to make is that? Just say 'I don't see James Bond as a black man.' I would respect that more than hiding behind some cowardly, stupid answer," Saldana said. Star Trek Beyond, a swash-buckling return to the knockabout fun of the first of the new films, looks likely to enjoy a generous reception from the critics, who gave a press screening in LA this week to an enthusiastic ovation. With the Guardians of the Galaxy sequel coming in 2017 and the announcement of a new Avatar movie, it seems Saldana's place in the stratosphere is safe for the foreseeable future. "Hopefully that will be enough space for me for now. No more space," she said. (AFP)

Zoe Saldana: action heroine fights in real and reel life

The actor playing Hikaru Sulu in the upcoming sci-fi film <em>Star Trek Beyond </em>has revealed that the fan favourite character is openly gay and married in the new film, an Australian media outlet reported on Thursday.<br />
<br />
Actor John Cho, who plays the role of Sulu first made famous by George Takei in the 1966 <em>Star Trek</em> television series, told Australia&#39;s <em>Herald Sun</em> that Sulu, the helmsman of the starship USS Enterprise, is married to a man and is a father to a daughter with his partner.<br />
<br />
The decision to make a long-time franchise staple character gay comes as Hollywood faces growing pressure to include more diversity in its blockbuster films. There is yet to be an openly gay superhero or action star leading a film franchise.<br />
<br />
Cho said scriptwriter Simon Pegg and director Justin Lin made the decision to make Sulu gay to pay homage to the 79-year-old Takei, who is openly gay and married in real life.<br />
<br />
&quot;I liked the approach, which was not to make a big thing out it, which is where I hope we are going as a species, to not politicise one&#39;s personal orientations,&quot; Cho told the outlet.<br />
<br />
Some fans of Marvel films sparked the online hashtag &quot;Give Captain America A Boyfriend&quot; in May, pushing for a same sex relationship between the hero and Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier.<br />
<br />
Other fans for Disney&#39;s animated film <em>Frozen</em> also started an online movement for &quot;Give Elsa A Girlfriend,&quot; asking Disney to make the princess character a lesbian in the upcoming sequel, gaining support from actress Idina Menzel, who voices Elsa.<br />
<br />
Cho was joined by other cast members of <em>Star Trek Beyond </em>in Australia this week as they kick off promotions for the upcoming film, released in theaters on July 22.<br />
<br />
The film has been cast under a dark shadow after one of its young stars, Anton Yelchin, was tragically killed after he was crushed by his car in Los Angeles last month.<br />
<br />
(Reuters)

The decision pays homage to George Takei, known for playing Sulu in the classic TV series, who is openly gay and married in real life

The actor playing Hikaru Sulu in the upcoming sci-fi film Star Trek Beyond has revealed that the fan favourite character is openly gay and married in the new film, an Australian media outlet reported on Thursday. Actor John Cho, who plays the role of Sulu first made famous by George Takei in the 1966 Star Trek television series, told Australia's Herald Sun that Sulu, the helmsman of the starship USS Enterprise, is married to a man and is a father to a daughter with his partner. The decision to make a long-time franchise staple character gay comes as Hollywood faces growing pressure to include more diversity in its blockbuster films. There is yet to be an openly gay superhero or action star leading a film franchise. Cho said scriptwriter Simon Pegg and director Justin Lin made the decision to make Sulu gay to pay homage to the 79-year-old Takei, who is openly gay and married in real life. "I liked the approach, which was not to make a big thing out it, which is where I hope we are going as a species, to not politicise one's personal orientations," Cho told the outlet. Some fans of Marvel films sparked the online hashtag "Give Captain America A Boyfriend" in May, pushing for a same sex relationship between the hero and Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier. Other fans for Disney's animated film Frozen also started an online movement for "Give Elsa A Girlfriend," asking Disney to make the princess character a lesbian in the upcoming sequel, gaining support from actress Idina Menzel, who voices Elsa. Cho was joined by other cast members of Star Trek Beyond in Australia this week as they kick off promotions for the upcoming film, released in theaters on July 22. The film has been cast under a dark shadow after one of its young stars, Anton Yelchin, was tragically killed after he was crushed by his car in Los Angeles last month. (Reuters)

'Star Trek' character Sulu is gay in upcoming movie

Anton Yelchin, a rising young actor who starred as Chekov in the new &quot;Star Trek&quot; film, was killed early Sunday in a freak car accident, his publicist said. He was 27.<br />
<br />
&quot;The news is so sad and true,&quot; Jennifer Allen said in a statement.<br />
<br />
Yelchin &quot;was killed in a fatal traffic collision early this morning,&quot; she added. &quot;His family requests you respect their privacy.&quot;<br />
<br />
The accident took place in the driveway of Yelchin&#39;s San Fernando Valley home around 1:10 am (0810 GMT), when he was preparing to meet friends for a rehearsal and momentarily left his car, Los Angeles police department spokeswoman Jenny Hauser said.<br />
<br />
The car &quot;rolled backward down his steep driveway, pinning him against a brick mailbox pillar and security fence,&quot; she said.<br />
<br />
After he failed to show up, his friends found him dead by the car, she added, saying it was unclear how long after the accident they arrived.<br />
<br />
Born in Russia, Yelchin moved to the United States when he was six months old with his parents, star figure skaters with the Leningrad Ice Ballet.<br />
<br />
&quot;I tried ice-skating and wasn&#39;t very good at it,&quot; he told the Daily Beast in 2011, saying that a friend of his parents urged them to enroll him in acting classes.<br />
<br />
He made his film debut at age nine in &quot;A Man Is Mostly Water,&quot; and went on to win roles in television dramas and films.<br />
<br />
His breakout performance came in the 2006 crime thriller &quot;Alpha Dog,&quot; and his movie credits include J.J Abrams&#39;s &quot;Star Trek,&quot; &quot;Star Trek into Darkness&quot; and &quot;Star Trek Beyond,&quot; which is set for release next month.<br />
<br />
He starred most recently in last year&#39;s critically acclaimed thriller &quot;Green Room.&quot; He was also a member of the band HammerHeads.<br />
<br />
Yelchin&#39;s fellow actor John Cho, who also starred in the new Star Trek series, was among those to pay tribute to him on Twitter.<br />
<br />
&quot;I loved Anton Yelchin so much,&quot; he wrote. &quot;He was a true artist -- curious, beautiful, courageous. He was a great pal and a great son. I&#39;m in ruins.&quot;<br />
(AFP)

LA police said his car rolled down the driveway, pinning him against a pillar and a security fence. The actor had played Chekov in the movie

Anton Yelchin, a rising young actor who starred as Chekov in the new "Star Trek" film, was killed early Sunday in a freak car accident, his publicist said. He was 27. "The news is so sad and true," Jennifer Allen said in a statement. Yelchin "was killed in a fatal traffic collision early this morning," she added. "His family requests you respect their privacy." The accident took place in the driveway of Yelchin's San Fernando Valley home around 1:10 am (0810 GMT), when he was preparing to meet friends for a rehearsal and momentarily left his car, Los Angeles police department spokeswoman Jenny Hauser said. The car "rolled backward down his steep driveway, pinning him against a brick mailbox pillar and security fence," she said. After he failed to show up, his friends found him dead by the car, she added, saying it was unclear how long after the accident they arrived. Born in Russia, Yelchin moved to the United States when he was six months old with his parents, star figure skaters with the Leningrad Ice Ballet. "I tried ice-skating and wasn't very good at it," he told the Daily Beast in 2011, saying that a friend of his parents urged them to enroll him in acting classes. He made his film debut at age nine in "A Man Is Mostly Water," and went on to win roles in television dramas and films. His breakout performance came in the 2006 crime thriller "Alpha Dog," and his movie credits include J.J Abrams's "Star Trek," "Star Trek into Darkness" and "Star Trek Beyond," which is set for release next month. He starred most recently in last year's critically acclaimed thriller "Green Room." He was also a member of the band HammerHeads. Yelchin's fellow actor John Cho, who also starred in the new Star Trek series, was among those to pay tribute to him on Twitter. "I loved Anton Yelchin so much," he wrote. "He was a true artist -- curious, beautiful, courageous. He was a great pal and a great son. I'm in ruins." (AFP)

Star Trek's Anton Yelchin killed in freak car accident

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