**Sequel of ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Quietly Pulled from Middle East Cinemas**
One week before the eagerly anticipated release of ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ in the Middle East, the blockbuster film from Sony has unexpectedly vanished from cinema listings. Despite the absence of an official announcement regarding the reason behind the removal, it appears that the movie has fallen victim to strict LGBTQ+ censorship laws in the region.
**Disappearance of ‘Across the Spider-Verse’ Linked to Transgender Flag Scene**
The sequel to the 2018 Oscar-winning animated hit, which grossed over $400 million globally and $1.7 million in the UAE, was listed in cinema programs until recently. However, it has now mysteriously disappeared from listings in countries such as Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, and Egypt. Upon closer inspection, it seems that the film’s inclusion of a transgender flag poster with the words “Protect Trans Lives” triggered the censorship controversy.
**Incorporation of LGBTQ+ Affirmation Raises Concerns**
In addition to the transgender flag poster, the movie subtly incorporates further support for the transgender community. Hailee Steinfeld’s character, Spider-Gwen, prominently features pink and blue hues, symbolizing the transgender flag. Furthermore, her father’s police uniform briefly reveals a badge adorned with the trans flag. Unfortunately, LGBTQ+ activities are currently illegal in the UAE, and violating these laws can result in severe punishments such as life imprisonment, flogging, chemical castration, forced psychological treatments, and even death.
**Clash with “Local Customs and Values” Guidelines**
Despite recent loosening of censorship laws in the UAE, which aimed to project a more liberal image, it is likely that the controversial scene clashed with the prevailing “local customs and values” guidelines. Both Sony and Empire Entertainment, the film’s Middle East distributor, have not responded to requests for comments from Fortune.
**UAE’s Troubled History with LGBTQ+ Content**
The UAE has a history of blocking the release of films that contain LGBTQ+ content. Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story spinoff, ‘Lightyear,’ was prohibited in several Middle Eastern countries last year due to a scene depicting a same-sex kiss between two space rangers. Similarly, Pixar’s animation ‘Onward’ was banned in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia because of a reference to lesbian parents. Additionally, films like ‘Thor: Love and Thunder,’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,’ ‘West Side Story,’ and ‘Eternals’ also faced bans in the Middle East on similar grounds.
**Outrage from Mideast Fans**
While film bans have become somewhat routine in the region, fans are expressing their anger and disappointment over the removal of ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.’ Social media platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and TikTok have become channels for fans to voice their objections. One Reddit user lamented, “THIS SUCKS! I’ve never missed a movie with Spider-Man in it since 2012.” Meanwhile, TikTok users are sharing their dismayed reactions, which are gaining thousands of views. Comment sections under these videos show a mix of reactions, with some fans in denial of the ban and others discussing ways to get around it. On Twitter, users expressed frustration, with one individual saying, “The UAE literally banned the new Spider-Man movie because a trans flag was in it for literally 3 seconds. Just delete the scene and move on. I was so excited to watch it too.”
**Future Installments of the Trilogy**
‘Across the Spider-Verse’ is the second part of a trilogy that will conclude with a third chapter scheduled to release in the region next year. However, the fate of the subsequent installment remains uncertain given the current censorship landscape.
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