“We want audiences everywhere in the world to see and enjoy this film, and it’s important to us that Chinese audiences have the opportunity to experience it as well, even with these minor edits,” Warner Bros. made headlines earlier this month after it agreed to remove gay references from “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” in order to secure a release in China.
With more Hollywood tentpoles including LGBTQ content, studios are being forced to either make edits to their movies or risk being banned in certain global territories. Last year’s Marvel tentpole “Eternals” was banned in the region due to a scene featuring a gay kiss.
In the region, movies concerning or containing sex, homosexuality and religious issues are routinely cut to comply with censorship rules. “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” was initially slated for release in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries on May 5. We’re still trying.”Īs sources told Variety in the original report on the matter, Saudi Arabian censors did not issue a permit to release the film in the country since the changes they requested were not approved by Disney. It’s a simple edit…So far they have refused. Variety has reached out to Disney for further comment.Īlsabhan told AFP that “ Doctor Strange 2” will “never be banned,” adding, “There’s no reason to ban the film.
