Pixar’s ‘Lightyear’ Not Showing in 14 Countries Due To Same-Sex Kiss
Image via Pixar
Buzz Lightyear and pals have got a friend in most parts of the world—save for 14 nations.
The Toy Story prequel Lightyear has been banned in 14 Middle Eastern and Asian countries as Disney recently made the decision to restore a kiss between a gay couple, sources told Reuters on Monday. The scene was previously cut, but protests from Pixar employees amid Florida’s plans to pass its ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill compelled the animation studio to listen.
The Hollywood Reporter names Saudi Arabia, the United Emirates, and Kuwait as a few of the Middle-Eastern markets that will not show the movie, with the UAE’s Media Regulatory Office explaining that a public screening of the animation would be in “violation of the country’s media content standards.”
Other countries affected include China, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Lebanon, Reuters hears.
The scene that led to the ban shows Buzz Lightyear’s female commanding officer Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba from Orange is the New Black) sharing a brief kiss with her wife.
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Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba) on the left
A Lightyear executive told Reuters that Chinese officials had asked Disney to cut scenes of Aduba’s character, and the entertainment giant said no.
Previously, producer Galyn Susman shared that the scene was a pivotal moment for Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Chris Evans) as that was when he’d realize he didn’t have sweet memories like the couple.
The Buzz Lightyear origin story will hit theaters in the US on June 17.
[via Reuters, GamesRadar, The Hollywood Reporter, images via Pixar]
