EXCLUSIVE: Simon Pegg Responds to George Takei's Stance on Making Sulu Gay in 'Star Trek Beyond'

After George Takei took issue with Sulu being written as gay in the upcoming film Star Trek Beyond, co-writer Simon Pegg is sharing his side of the argument.

Takei, who is gay, was less than enthusiastic when he learned that the character that made him a household name would not be heterosexual in the next installment of the franchise.

WATCH: George Takei Says Decision to Make Sulu Gay in 'Star Trek Beyond' Is 'Really Unfortunate'

"I'm delighted that there's a gay character," the 79-year-old actor told The Hollywood Reporter. "Unfortunately, it's a twisting of [creator Gene Roddenberry's] creation to which he put in so much thought. I think it's really unfortunate."

Takei even went so far as to ask Pegg to instead create a new gay character for the film.

Pegg spoke out on Friday, telling the Guardian he has to "respectfully disagree" with Takei's point of view.

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"He's right. It is unfortunate. It's unfortunate that the screen version of the most inclusive, tolerant universe in science fiction hasn't featured an LGBT character until now," Pegg told the Guardian. "We could have introduced a new gay character but he or she would have been primarily defined by their sexuality, seen as the 'gay character,' rather than simply for who they are, and isn't that tokenism?"

Star Trek Beyond opens July 22.

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