This is generally normal practice for these markets. Marvel Studios'Eternalswill be arriving for many fans across the world soon. I wish! In the film, Stephanie Hsus character Joy is openly gay and there is a scene in which MichelleYeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis play a lesbian couple. Homosexuality is still officially illegal across the Gulf, and films containing anything related to LGBTQ issues are frequently pulled from release. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. As a result, the movie was removed from the websites and platforms in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. 'Eternals' To Not Release In Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain And Oman; Here's Why Touted as one of the biggest MCU films, Chlo Zhao directed super-god film Eternals has been banned from releasing in some of the major Middle Eastern countries Written By Princia Hendriques Image: Instagram/@MarvelStudios Eternals looks to suffer another box office blow as it is reported countries in the Middle East are either banning the film completely or screening an edited cut, which also follows it previously reported that the flick likely wont play in China, the number two market in the world. However, Disney opted not to make the dits resulting indistribution certificates not being issued. Back in May 2017, Warner Bros. Wonder Womanwas officially banned in Lebanon. Celebrities Against the ban. Marvels Eternals Gets Banned Over LGBTQ+ Characters in Middle East Countries Marvel Studios Eternals was banned from cinemas in the Gulf, a response likely given due to the inclusion of a same-sex couple. Part of Phase Four of the MCU, it is due for release on Nov. 5 following its world premiere on Oct. 18 in L.A. THR has reached out to Disney for comment. Marvel Studios' "Eternals" will not play in theaters in the Middle Eastern countries of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, or Qatar. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Lee Curtis, Stephanie Hsu and Ke Huy Quan star in Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinerts critical darling Everything Everywhere All At Once, which has simmered its way to a healthy domestic box office of $37M and counting. In the Chloe Zhao directorial, Brian Tyree Henrys Phastos, one of the member of the titular beings who is a weapon inventor and technology expert, is a gay man and also shares a kiss in the movie with his husband Ben (played by Haaz Sleiman). Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. The publication was told by sources that the gay relationship in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movie may have been the reason. ' Eternals ' didn't make it to box-offices in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. 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Copyright 2023 Cosmic Book News | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | About Us | Contact Us | Movies | Comics | TV | Gaming | News | Reviews | Web Stories | Search, Eternals Box Office Blow: Banned In Middle East, Likely China, Deadpool 3: Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman Get Jacked, 'Cocaine Bear' Mauls 'Ant-Man' 3 Box Office, Disneys Peter Pan & Wendy Trailer Disliked To Oblivion, Reason For The Marvels MCU Delay Worse Than Thought, Marvels Ant-Man 3 Breaks Batman vs Superman Record, The Last Of Us Actresses Blast Fans: Dont like it, dont watch, Marvel: Blade and Deadpool 3 Said To Film Soon, Cocaine Bear Mauls Ant-Man 3 Box Office. In recent days, Eternals has made headlines across the Middle East region after it was banned in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The genre-busting dramedy has been hailed by a number of critics for its themes of queer acceptance and identity. All Rights Reserved. The reason was just a single line referring to a lesbian relationship. Last year, Disney/Pixar's "Onward"was banned in the countries of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia because of a single line that alluded to a lesbian relationship. It's always important not to give in to censorship, as the practice is the antithesis of art itself. While official reasons werent provided by either the studio or the local territories, heres our understanding of what went down: In Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman, the censors were seeking further cuts beyond any scenes of intimacy and that Disney opted not to make the edits, hence distribution certificates werent issued. Portrayed by Brian Tyree Henry, Phastos is a superhero who appears in Eternals and is married to Ben who is depicted by Haaz Sleiman. The cosmic epic has been hyped up by those involved for a long time now, so it's weird to think that it's actually almost time to watch it. Sleiman said that he doesnt support or respect the governments with a mindset negating LGBT and that these authorities have showcased how they are just a disgrace to both humanity and God. The film is one of A24s biggest-budget productions to date. Its not like this was unexpected. Director Chloe Zhao was part of conversations about this very topic, and she, at the time, was hopeful that edits would not be made, and now it appears Marvel is backing her up. Eternals and West Side Story also suffered bans late last year. By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Send us a tip using our annonymous form. In 2021, Marvel released The Eternals, which featured Phastos, a gay, married man, and his husband. 2023 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. Marvel Studios' "Eternals" will not play in theaters in the Middle Eastern countries of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, or Qatar. Directed by Chlo Zhao, Eternals stars an ensemble cast including Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Harish Patel, Kit Harington, Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie. Its global box office take is now a much more interesting question following news that the movie has been pulled from theaters in several countries in the Middle East, apparently due to the films content including an openly gay character. These fantastic milestones, however, haven'tbeen embraced by everyone around the world. In the United Arab Emirates, however, the film is still listed as among the titles coming soon. HoursTV.com is in the business of keeping its readers happy. Marvel Studios latest Eternals has reportedly been banned in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait, as per The Hollywood Reporter. And even if the money was the determining factor, perhaps it was decided the movie would not do enough business in these markets to make the change worthwhile. All rights reserved. This is dealing with a primary character, so it may have simply been too tough. Because even when its banned, theres a way.. Back in May 2017, Warner Bros. Wonder Woman was officially banned in Lebanon. Eternals Banned In Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, And Qatar As Disney Refuses To Cut Gay Elements. As per Disney plus, it doesnt wish to break the viewership in any of GULF countries. IMAX, one of the largest movie exhibitors in Egypt, shocked moviegoers on Nov. 9 by canceling the premiere of the movie "Eternals" one day before it was scheduled for nationwide release.. Ahmed Kalal, director of the development engineering department at Misr International Films, which owns IMAX theaters in Egypt, told Al-Monitor that the Upon the news about Eternals getting banned in multiple Arab countries, some Hollywood celebrities spoke about it. In recent days, Eternals has made headlines across the Middle East region after it was banned in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Eternals is banned from theaters in Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, or Qatar because of the movies gay elements. Eternals looks to suffer another box office blow as it is reported countries in the Middle East are either banning the film completely or screening an edited cut, which also follows it previously reported that the flick likely wont play in China, the number two market in the world. The outlet reported that the issue may not be limited to the same-sex kiss shown in the film but alsothe history of these countries having problems with thedepiction of gods and prophets. With Diwali, one of the biggest festivals of India, coinciding with the release, netizens are expected to flock to the theatres to enjoy the super-gods films featuring some of the biggest stars of Hollywood. MCU The intensity of legal actions against the disapproved acts in GULF countries can be understood through another incident that happened in the recent past. Sleiman, who was raised in a Muslim family in Lebanon before moving to the U.S. when he was 21, came out as gay in 2017 after first gaining attention playing Tarek, an undocumented Syrian immigrant in 2007s The Visitor., At the Eternals world premiere last month, Sleiman spoke passionately about how much representation and visibility matter. Marvel's Eternals will reportedly be banned from release in certain countries - a list which includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. According to THR, While Eternals was expected to hit screens throughout the Middle East beginning November 11, the movie has now been pulled from exhibition in the nations of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. Eternals and West Side Story also suffered bans late last year. In recent years, the company has been taking the tiniest steps beyond that archaic restriction, featuring an "exclusively gay moment"in "Beauty and the Beast"and a reference to a gay relationship in "Avengers: Endgame.". Angelina Jolie, who played Thena in the movie, criticized peoples way of thinking about homosexuality. I wish I had that when I was a kid, to see this. Back in May 2017, Warner Bros. Wonder Woman was officially banned in Lebanon. Its said that in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman, the censors wanted further cuts beyond any scenes of intimacy and that Disney opted not to make the edits, so Eternals isnt going to be released. Angelina Jolie is responding to her new movie Eternals apparently being banned by certain Gulf Nations. Jolie was surprised to see how can someone be so threatened, angry, or against something so beautiful like love. In 2020, Onward, the Pixar title created hype when it got banned in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. In one scene, the character, Phastos (played by Brian Tyree Henry), and his on-screen husband, Ben (Haaz Sleiman), share a kiss. 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