In the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt we understand that a version of the film will be released that removes all scenes of intimacy be they heterosexual or homosexual. Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks. Eternals and West Side Story also suffered bans late last year. 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. Wonder Womanwas also banned in Tunisia. One regional cinema chain explained that Eternals had been banned but said they hadnt been told why. One key territory that the film has struggled to find a distributor in is the UK. In 2020, Onward, the Pixar title created hype when it got banned in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Celebrities React on Marvel Movie Eternals Getting Banned in Middle East, New Netflix Short Clips Feature Makes It another TikTok, Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam A Detailed Comparison of Two Batting Greats, Here are the 8 Most Anticipated Movies of 2023, 5 Shocking Revelations in Prince Harrys Book. 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. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. '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 I wish I had that when I was a kid, to see this. And then they can give their two middle fingers to their governments. Back in May 2017, Warner Bros. Wonder Womanwas officially banned in Lebanon. Marvel Studios' "Eternals" will not play in theaters in the Middle Eastern countries of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, or Qatar. One of the Hollywood stars, Haaz Sleiman who also happens to be the gay superhero in the Marvel movie Eternals slammed the Arab nations. Marvel Studios Eternals was banned from cinemas in the Gulf, a response likely given due to the inclusion of a same-sex couple. Haaz Sleiman says he was close to tears when he learned of Disneys response to Eternals being banned in several Middle Eastern countries because of the MCU films LGBTQ+ content. In recent days, Eternals has made headlines across the Middle East region after it was banned in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. In 2021, Marvel released The Eternals, which featured Phastos, a gay, married man, and his husband. Why are the US Tech Giants Downsizing despite Making Profits? We know how the game of breaking news is actually played. By Kofi Outlaw - November 4, 2021 11:57 am EDT. Movie studios, and Disney specifically have dealt with this before and they likely expected this sort of pushback. Theyre going to find a way to watch it, even if its illegal, he said. Haaz Sleiman says he was close to tears when he learned of Disneys response to Eternals being banned in several Middle Eastern countries because of the MCU films LGBTQ+ content. The anticipated robust overseas box office of Disney/MarvelsEternals,which posted a first day of $7.6M, will definitely not have Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman in its future release plans. The good news for UK cinema-goers is that A24 itself will release the film this month. Current box office estimates for Eternalsthis weekend offer anywhere from $67 million to $92 million, with Deadlines estimates offering $75 million. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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 When the decision was made to make one of the Eternals gay, this was likely discussed internally back then, and the decision was made to do it anyway. Marvel movie Eternals was undoubtedly one of the most anticipated films this year. In the movie, Phastos shares a kiss with his husband Ben (Haaz Sleiman), there are several references to their marriage, and we see them in domestic life raising their son. They stood their ground and said, Nope, we are not going to compromise the integrity of our film, Sleiman told me Friday afternoon. 'Eternals' features track composed and produced by BTS' Jimin; Chlo Zhao reveals why, Eternals: Angelina Jolie reveals her look as Thena was a bit much for her children to take, Angelina Jolie talks about joining 'Eternals' cast, says 'It's very inclusive & diverse', Angelina Jolie dodges question about her relationship with The Weeknd; Read, BJP Vs AAP in MCD: From violent clashes in night to early morning poster wars; Key points, Rift in Mahagathbandhan? 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. Send us a tip using our annonymous form. Only time will tell. Last year, the Pixar title Onwardwas banned across Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia over a single line referencing a lesbian relationship. The film has already found issues with China, they're only calling themselves out for the rest of the world to see, Ant-Man 3's Kang Might've Had Sex With Janet, Reveals Writer, Star Wars Officially Canonizes Gina Carano's Cara Dune Exit Post-Firing, Mandalorian Producer Clears Confusion on Grogu's Luke Skywalker Timeline. The publication was told by sources that the gay relationship in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movie may have been the reason. 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. Its been a while since a movie has been banned in Kuwait but according to Al Jarida newspaper, the Marvel Studios film Eternals has been banned in Kuwait. The outlet reportedthat Disney declined requests from local censors to edit certain scenes fromthe film, hence leading to Eternals being banned. Marvel's Eternals will reportedly be banned from release in certain countries - a list which includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. The streaming platform received multiple requests from the local censors but it did not comply with any of the edit requests. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. 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. In 2020, Onward, the Pixar title created hype when it got banned in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. For decades, Disney has positioned itself as Hollywood's most family-friendly major studio which traditionally has meant avoiding same-sex relationships on screen altogether. Back in May 2017, Warner Bros. Wonder Woman was officially banned in Lebanon. Home Movie News Eternals Box Office Blow: Banned In Middle East, Likely China. Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness is playing in the country but has been banned in Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar. Regarding how much Eternals is set to lose by being banned by those Middle Eastern countries is unknown as they arent listed as part of the box office of any of the Marvel movies, so maybe its not that much. We have reached out to A24 and Saudi Arabias General Commission for Audiovisual Media for comment. Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. NY 10036. 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. Marvel Studios' "Eternals"will not play in theaters in the Middle Eastern countries of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, or Qatar. Also, the actors of the Eternals were playing a good role in making the platform, as well as the Marvel studios, look good. "I don't know all the details, but I do believe discussions were had and there's a big desire from Marvel and myself we talked about this to not change the cut of the movie," she said. "Fingers crossed.". It was originally set to hit theaters on November 11, 2021. In the Chlo Zhao-directed movie, Sleiman plays Ben, the husband of Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry). This is the first time that a same-sex couple has been depicted in a Marvel film. Eternals is banned from theaters in Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, or Qatar because of the movies gay elements. According to reports, Disney is looking forward to releasing the film without the intimate scenes in Arab countries. According to a report from Deadline, the Disney/Marvel movie Eternals will not be hitting the big screens in some Middle Eastern countries namelySaudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. However, in this case it seems Disney/Marvel was apparently unwilling to do so. The Funniest Stand-Up Comedy Specials Streaming On HBO Max, Ant-Man 3 Writer Defends The Movies Controversial Ending, Star Wars Andy Serkis Talks Being Gutted Over Snokes Death In The Last Jedi, And Whether Hed Reprise The Character, The Mandalorian's Jon Favreau Dropped A Shocking Grogu Reveal Ahead Of Season 3, And I Can't Quite Believe It, Following La Brea's Dino-Sized Cliffhanger, The Showrunner Breaks Down Eve's Fate And That Big Reveal About Gavin. All Rights Reserved. Marvel Studios latest Eternals has reportedly been banned in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Beyond a dream come true, its lifesaving, he told me. The streaming platform has been gaining much attention due to its latest projects that include certain Disney plus series and movies. The reason was just a single line referring to a lesbian relationship. The UK has long been a challenging and expensive market in which to release independent movies and we hear the asking price was considered too steep by the small pool of viable indie distributors in the territory. Send us a tip using our annonymous form. Although the film was scheduled to be released on November 11, neither the studio northe local territories have officially provided areason for cancelling the release. The fantasy mind-bender follows an ageing Chinese immigrant swept up in a wild adventure, where she alone can save the world by exploring other universes connecting with the lives she could have led. '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 IfAvengers 5features him and the Eternals, will Marvel and Disney be willing to let a massive film such as that go unreleased in several places around the world? Lastly, she appreciated Disney for not backing down and censoring the scenes. Hopefully this will inspire the Saudi people, the Kuwaiti people and the people in Qatar to fight back.. In recent days, Eternals has made headlines across the Middle East region after it was banned in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The reason: depicting a same-sex relationship. Reportedly, he said that the ban on the film across Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar brought tears to his eyes. 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. You will receive a verification email shortly. Upon the news about Eternals getting banned in multiple Arab countries, some Hollywood celebrities spoke about it. Its been a while since a movie has been banned in Kuwait but according to Al Jarida newspaper, the Marvel Studios film Eternals has been banned in Kuwait. 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. Armchair Imagineer. We want, more than anything else, is for you to love, cherish, engage and criticize HoursTV.com so we can always deliver the best to you. One regional cinema explained to the site that Eternalshad been "banned" but was not told why. Jolie was surprised to see how can someone be so threatened, angry, or against something so beautiful like love. The film is still expected to come out inthe United Arab Emirates. 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. The reason: depicting a same-sex relationship. ' Eternals ' didn't make it to box-offices in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. New York, Marvel Studios latest Eternals has reportedly been banned in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Since homosexuality is still illegal in many countries in the Middle East, the requested edits likely centered on Marvel's first openly gay superhero, Phastos, who is played by Brian Tyree Henry. The UAE announced six months ago that it would do away with film censorship and instead introduce a 21+ rating. 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. Homosexuality is illegal across the Gulf and films that feature any LGBTQ themes often dont get past the censors. 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. Censors but it did not comply with any of the edit requests he said to eyes! 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