Last year another Marvel blockbuster faced the same ban. The theatrical release of Chloé Zhao’s Eternals was canceled in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. Because the film featured a same-sex couple. The film portrayed the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first gay superhero.
Being gay is still illegal in multiple Gulf nations. So, this wasn’t a total surprise to the studio. Homosexuality is officially illegal across the Gulf nations. And films that feature any LGBTQ characters have problems getting past the censors.
Pixar’s planned Toy Story “sequel” Lightyear also expects to be hit with a ban. The studio recently restored a same-sex kiss that was temporarily cut from the film.
The Oscar-nominated Steven Spielberg-directed musical, West Side Story, is banned, as well. The ban was the result of the film including a transgender character. The character Anybodys is written as transgender in this new adaptation. And the role is being played by nonbinary actress Iris Menas.
