I joined on a dare.

Heres what they had to say…

I liked that the film suggested that space exploration can be exciting, but sometimes also repetitive and tedious.

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John Cho:Ha, yeah!

That was pretty cool, huh?

Its sort of claustrophobic.

JC:I really do think so!

KU:Were so bored!

KU:Yeah, yeah.

[Laughs] Thats very [Chris] Pine.

JC:Yeah, its very Pine.

Theres aStar Trekmug, a Starfleet mug in there.

I did notice that.

KU:On sale at K-Mart for $9.99!

JC:Does K-Mart exist anymore?

KU:Yeah, they do.

We dont have K-Mart in this country.

KU:You dont?

Id probably have to buy them at Asda or Londis or something like that.

Youre two and a half, three years into your mission.

Was that good to get your teeth into as actors?

KU:It was.

And that comes across in subtle ways.

It was nice to have that evolution of character.

JC:Its a Bones picture!

Its more of an ensemble this one, isnt it?

Then also, you get different emotional stuff as a result.

Do you have much input into the tone of your characters?

Early on, Simon [Pegg] emailed us an early draft and said, Here it is.

Let me know what you think.

And, you know, If theres anything youd like to see in it, lets work on it.

JC:And we did.

KU:Thats exactly what we did.

I can look at that picture and see many different beats from that collaboration up on the screen.

Im quite proud of that.

Can you describe any of the bits that got into the film that were yours?

I was always looking for the opportunity to sprinkle a little bit of that in there.

The themes ofStar Trekare very much unity and inclusivity.

Do you think its timely, having a film like this out?

KU:Yeah, and for a multitude of reasons.

Not only because its the 50th anniversary ofStar Trek,but also because its what makes it relevant today.

Theres the Brexit thats just gone on, the rise of extremism.

JC:[Star Trek]came about at a similarly tumultuous time in America.

Sadly, there are some parallels that are happening right now.

And its testing our values as a society.

Its not a political answer, its just a cultural answer.

The theme of this one is that family bends but doesnt break, you know?

Theres something beautiful about it.

I hope people have an appetite for that message.

Now were in the 21st century, do you think were any closer to that vision?

KU:Personally, no.

I dont believe we are.

Its sad, but I think thats part of whyStar Treks important.

Its a beacon, its a lighthouse, as it were, a vision of humanity.

It shows how we can operate at the highest level and be the best that we can be.

[Laughs]

KU:I love them both.

Im not…you know.

JC:I dont know.

I think I disagree.

In the 60s, there was not consensus on that.

There was a debate about the superiority of the races or something, but that was still a debate.

Now, at least, maybe culturally were policing that more.

Now, in practice, thats not happening, but at least theres not that debate.

KU:Alright, look… the ideologys always been there.

It was present in the 60s, thats whyStar Trekwas created.

But you asked whether were closer to this utopian vision?

I just dont think we are.

But like you say, John, the sense of inclusivity is much more clear and present.

Like your character its a tiny moment in the film, where it emerges that Sulu has a husband.

Not at this time.

But now we can.

And ironically, George is the one whos objecting, but that doesnt seem to be the case worldwide.

So it seems there is some marker…

KU:I know what youre saying.

There is some progression, yeah.

In terms of certain microcosmic changes in society, for sure.

But still, globally?

[pauses]

What a downer.

JC:What a downer!

[Laughs]Star Trek Beyond in theatres July 22nd!

KU:Go check it out!

[Laughs]

JC:Go check it out, so much action!

From the director ofFast & The Furious!

Ive brought everything down havent I?

KU:Thats always been the point ofStar Trek.

JC:Thats its lasting power.

Roddenberry developed a really delicious set-up.

It can hold so much.

you might do so much to it, you might discuss so much with it.

Its a big bowl into which you’re able to put just about anything.

But for us, we dont know.

We love working together, thats definitely a fact.

What about the things youve been working on separately?

We literally used every scrap of footage that we had to make that.

Its really wonderful to see how its become this cult classic.

How about you, John?

Do you think therell be anotherHarold & Kumarany time soon?

JC:I didnt think so.

And I dont know…

I think were gonna get this made.

KU:I think you should make it.

Those films were so much fun.

JC:We kept saying, Whats the idea?

And I think Ive got a good one.

KU:I think I know what it is.

KU:No, Ill tell you and you tell me if its right.

JC:Okay, go ahead.

KU:Not here!

[Motioning to me]

JC:Oh.

I thought you might let it slip.

[Laughs] But no.

Are you surprised at how enduring the [Harold & Kumar] films are?

LikeDredd theyve been embraced.

JC:Its so funny that Hollywood has become so entrenched in its formulas.

Because what Ive experienced is that the good stuff comes from places you dont expect.

you could never tell well, actually, you could fans really love originality.

And thats counter to the thinking thats around right now.

But they love things that are fresh and honest and interesting.

And if you give them that, theyll come back, I think.

Were on another down note!

[Laughs]

KU:Dude!

JC:Dude, this interviews gone off the rails, man!

Im certainly investigating avenues of interest John and Zachary [Quinto] are as well.

To some extent its out of necessity.

At the moment Im producing and starring in a TV series on cable.

We havent made an announcement yet.

But yeah, thats definitely where Im headed more and more.

Well, its been a pleasure talking to you both.

KU:Its been uplifting!

[Laughs]

Im sorry!

John Cho and Karl Urban, thank you very much.

As John Cho said,Star Trek Beyondarrives in cinemas on the 22nd July.

Go check it out, so much action!