14 Countries Ban Pixar's 'Lightyear' Over Gay Kiss Scene; Chris Evans Calls It ‘Frustrating'

'Lightyear,' an upcoming animated Hollywood movie, has been banned in several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.?

According to several reports, Walt Disney Co. has been unable to gain permission to screen its Pixar film Lightyear in 14 Middle Eastern and Asian countries.

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The Hollywood Reporter corroborated the information, claiming sources who believe the ban on the movie has been imposed owing to a same-sex kiss scene.?

The scene, which includes the female character Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba) and her lover, was initially deleted from the film but was restored after a public uproar over a statement by Pixar employees.?

The employees alleged that Disney was censoring "overtly gay affection." They also claimed that Disney CEO Bob Chapek's handling of Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill was unethical.

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The UAE's Media Regulatory Office reported on June 13 that the movie 'Lightyear,' which is set to be released on June 16, has been denied a public screening license due to a "violation of the country's media content guidelines."

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According to The Hollywood Reporter, 'Lightyear' is the latest in a growing list of major Disney movies, including 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' and 'Eternals,' that have faced challenges in Gulf countries.

The problems have emerged mainly as a consequence of scenes involving LGBTQ references or issues, which frequently prompt censorship for theatrical releases due to homosexuality being prohibited in the region.

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In January, ‘West Side Story’ was also stopped from reaching cinemas in Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E., Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait.?

At the London premiere for the film on Monday, Chris Evans, who has lent his voice to the movie, reportedly said these objections to the same-sex kiss were “frustrating.”?

“It’s great that we are a part of something that’s making steps forward in the social inclusion capacity, but it’s frustrating that there are still places that aren’t where they should be,” the actor was quoted as saying.

(With inputs from PTI)

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