LOS ANGELES, June 13 (Reuters) – Walt Disney Co. (DIS.N) was unable to secure approval to screen its new Pixar film ‘Lightyear’ in 14 countries in the Middle East and Asia, a source said on Monday, as well as the animated film Opening in China, the world’s largest film market, seemed unlikely.
A Lightyear producer told Reuters that authorities in China had asked for the film to be cut, but Disney refused, and she assumes the film won’t open there either. The animated film features a same-sex couple briefly kissing, which prompted the United Arab Emirates to ban the film.
The United Arab Emirates said the couple’s relationship violated the country’s standards for media content. read more Homosexuality is considered a criminal offense in many countries in the Middle East.
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Representatives of other countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia and Lebanon, did not immediately respond to requests for comment as to why they would not allow the film to be shown.
Lightyear is a prequel to Pixar’s acclaimed Toy Story franchise. Chris Evans voices the main character, Buzz Lightyear, a legendary space ranger.
In the film, Buzz’s close friend is a space ranger who marries another woman. A scene showing milestones in the couple’s relationship involves a brief kiss.
Disney has received no response from Chinese authorities as to whether they would allow the film in theaters, Lightyear producer Galyn Susman said. But she said filmmakers would not make any changes to the film. China has rejected other screen depictions of homosexuality in the past.
“We’re not going to cut anything, especially something as important as the loving and inspiring relationship that Buzz shows what he’s missing from the choices he’s making, so that’s not going to be cut,” Susman told Reuters on the film’s red carpet Premiere in London.
China is not a “make or break” market for Pixar, a theater industry source said. According to Comscore, it contributed just 3% to the global box office of Toy Story 4, which grossed more than $1 billion in ticket sales worldwide in 2019.
Any objections to Lightyear over LGBTQ issues are “frustrating,” Evans said.
“It’s great that we’re a part of something that’s making strides in social inclusion, but it’s frustrating that there are still places that aren’t where they should be,” Evans said.
Lightyear is slated to hit theaters in the US and Canada on Friday.
In May, Disney denied requests to remove same-sex references in the Marvel film Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. Saudi Arabia and a handful of other Middle Eastern countries did not show the film.
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Reporting by Lisa Richwine and Dawn Chmielewski; Additional reporting by Kristian Brunse in London; Edited by Richard Chang
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