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A "Lightyear" producer told Reuters that
authorities in China had asked for cuts to the movie, which
Disney declined to make, and she assumed the movie would not
open there either. The animated film depicts a same-sex couple
who share a brief kiss, which prompted the United Arab Emirates
to ban the film.
The United Arab Emirates said the couple's relationship violated
the country's media content standards. Homosexuality is
considered criminal in many Middle Eastern countries.
Representatives of other countries, including Saudi Arabia,
Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia and Lebanon, did not immediately
respond to requests for comment on why they would not allow the
film to be exhibited.
"Lightyear" is a prequel to Pixar's acclaimed "Toy Story"
franchise. Chris Evans voices the lead character, Buzz Lightyear,
a legendary space ranger.
In the film, Buzz's close friend is a female space ranger who
marries another woman. A scene showing milestones in the
couple's relationship includes a brief kiss.
Disney has not received an answer from Chinese authorities on
whether they would allow the film in cinemas, "Lightyear"
producer Galyn Susman said. But she said filmmakers would not
make changes to the movie. China has rejected other on-screen
depictions of homosexuality in the past.
"We're not going to cut out anything, especially something as
important as the loving and inspirational relationship that
shows Buzz what he's missing by the choices that he's making, so
that's not getting cut," Susman told Reuters at the movie's
red-carpet premiere in London.
China is not a "make or break" market for Pixar, one theater
industry source said. It contributed a mere 3% to the global box
office for "Toy Story 4," which grossed more than $1 billion in
worldwide ticket sales in 2019, according to Comscore.
Any objections to "Lightyear" over LGBTQ issues were
"frustrating," Evans said.
"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,"
Evans said.
"Lightyear" is set to debut in theaters in the United States and
Canada on Friday.
In May, Disney refused requests to cut same-sex references in
Marvel movie "Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness."
Saudi Arabia and a handful of other Middle Eastern countries did
not show the film.
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine and Dawn Chmielewski; Additional
reporting by Kristian Brunse in London; Editing by Richard
Chang)
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