November 4, 2021
'Eternals' Pulled From Middle East Theaters, Disney Refuses Film Edits
Emell Adolphus READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Disney is standing its ground when it comes to its support of the same-sex relationship in Marvel's "Eternals."
The movie's theatrical release has been pulled in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait over Disney's refusal to make edits to the film's gay relationship, reported The Hollywood Reporter.
The film features MCU's first gay superhero and also portrays the first same-sex couple with children in a Marvel film – with Brian Tyree Henry in the superhero role of Phastos and actor Haaz Sleiman playing his husband.
Director Chloe Zhao has made it known that she wishes the film's same-sex relationship to not be censored overseas, and Disney seems to be standing by those wishes as planned showings for the film have been removed in those countries.
Last year, the Pixar's "Onward" was reportedly banned across Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia over a single line referencing a lesbian relationship. The same-sex relationship in "Eternals" is reportedly essential to plot and development of superhero Phastos.
"Eternals stars Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Harish Patel, Kit Harington, Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie. The film hits U.S. theaters Nov. 5 and was due for release in the Gulf region Nov. 11.
