Disney’s run-in with Gulf censors has added another chapter.
Lightyear is latest film from the studio to be banned in various Middle East countries, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Sources tell THR the decision is linked to the inclusion of a same-sex kiss in Pixar’s Toy Story prequel spin-off. The scene, involving the female character Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba) and her partner, was originally cut from the film, but reinstated following the uproar surrounding a statement from Pixar employees claiming that Disney had been censoring “overtly gay affection” and Disney CEO Bob Chapek’s handling of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
Lightyear now becomes the latest in a growing list of major Disney features that have been banned in Gulf countries due to scenes involving LGBTQ references or issues, which often fall foul of censors for theatrical releases due to homosexuality being officially illegal across the region.
In April, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness wasn’t given a theatrical license, reportedly due to the introduction of the character America Chavez (played by Xochitl Gomez) who, as per her portrayal in the comics, is gay. This followed on the heels of Chloé Zhao’s Eternals, which was banned across much of the Gulf in November following the inclusion of a same-gender couple in the film and the MCU’s first gay superhero. At the time, THR understood that censors had requested a series of edits to be made that Disney was not willing to make. An edited version did screen in the U.A.E., however.
In January, West Side Story was also stopped from reaching cinemas in Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E., Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait. This time, regional sources told THR the decision was due to the character Anybodys, written as transgender in the new adaptation and played by nonbinary actress Iris Menas.
THR has reached out to Disney for comment.