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Marvel's Eternals never made it to theaters in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar, allegedly due to the inclusion of the studio's first main superhero character who is gay and shares a same-sex kiss.
Homosexuality is still officially illegal across the Gulf region, and any films referencing LGBTQ+ issues are frequently pulled from release.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney was unwilling to compromise the all-star superhero film with edit requests from local censors.
Reports suggest Eternals has been banned in Saudi Arabia and some other Middle Eastern countries, likely due to it featuring the MCU's first openly gay super-powered character, Phastos. It appears Disney has opted not to censor scenes featuring the character and his family. pic.twitter.com/b4egxcXT2Z
— IGN (@IGN) November 4, 2021
Unbelievable that the government in a country can just decide no one can watch a movie bc it goes against their cultural values like let ppl decide for themselves what year are we living in
— elena (@olaingutan) November 4, 2021
Angelina Jolie, who co-stars in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film as the warrior, Thena, lauded the wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company's effort in maintaining the film's integrity.
"I'm proud of Marvel for refusing to cut those scenes out," Jolie told an Australian media outlet during a press roundtable.
#AngelinaJolie has responded to #Eternals being banned in other countries over its LGBTQ+ scenes: "I'm sad for [those audiences]. And I'm proud of Marvel..." Full statement: https://t.co/0pm2jYaT9B pic.twitter.com/8ZmKs9iPXg
— MCU - The Direct (@MCU_Direct) November 5, 2021
She also expressed her disappointment for Gulf region audiences who will not be able to see the LGBTQ representation in the film's character, Phastos.
The superhero, played by Brian Tyree Henry, is an Eternal who is in a long-term relationship with a mortal with whom he has a young son.
"I still don't understand how we live in a world today where there's still [people who] would not see the family Phastos has and the beauty of that relationship and that love," said Jolie.
"How anybody is angry about it, threatened by it, doesn't approve or appreciate it is ignorant."
Twitter users also expressed their frustration.
It's literally...one scene. Not forced, not in your face. Jeez
— solo (@dretheoutsider_) November 5, 2021
Those countries need to get with the times - we're done with their homophobia.
— Reno! ✌🏻 (@RenoSaysSo) November 4, 2021
Banning a movie over same sex couples is asinine.
— JC (@JCartdump) November 4, 2021
If y'all are ok with this. Then where is the freedom of choice, and accepting cultures. If some countries refuse to have a scenes for cultural religious reasons then this should be accepted. Or difference is tolerated only if it is alligned with your ideas. Hypocrisy!!
— mohamed amine chakir (@mohamed95798078) November 6, 2021
You know, how many stories of straight people are left to be told? Having the LGBTQ represented is long overdue. It is a part of life and honestly makes the movies seem more real because guess what not everyone is a 1 dimensional straight person.
— Nicholas Burns (@Burns1991) November 5, 2021
Eternals is about the titular immortal alien race who has fought to protect planet Earth from their evil counterparts, the Deviants, for thousands of years.
The 26th MCU film was domestically targeted online by anti-LGBTQ+ trolls after discovering it would be the first Marvel movie to feature a title main character who is gay.
Homophobic groups attempted to sabotage Eternals' performance in theaters with over 450 one-star reviews on IMDb ahead of its premiere to the general public.
It was literally so good. Never looking at reviews again
— Kezwick|Mind weary like Thena (@FnmKez) November 5, 2021
This was not the first time Disney faced resistance for featuring LGBTQ+ themes in their movies.
Pixar's Onward was banned from screening in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, allegedly due to a line referencing a lesbian relationship between two featured characters.
They really need to come into the 21st century. The world is changing.
— JENNIEISMYQUEEN (@MitsukiIsMySon) November 4, 2021
All the casual murder in American movies is fine, but people will be corrupted by seeing a gay couple? Religious fundamentalism is a helluva thing pic.twitter.com/wsLoHuoVKF
— 🍀Fooblued🍀 (@fooblued) November 4, 2021
Eternals was directed and co-written by Academy Award-winning director, Chloé Zhao.
Zhao was already aware specific countries would oppose the movie's LGBTQ representation, but she maintained she would never waver in her vision for the film.
Earlier this year, she told IndieWire she would not censor the movie.
"I don't know all the details, but I do believe discussions were had and there's a big desire for Marvel and myself – we talked about this – to not change the cut of the movie."
In addition to Jolie, Eternals' diverse cast includes co-stars Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Harish Patel, Kit Harington, and Salma Hayek.