Pixar’s new “Lightyear” film has been banned in 14 nations across the Middle East and Asia over a same-sex kiss scene.
The decision has led to lower sales worldwide, with the controversy leading many in other countries to skip the film as well.
‘Lightyear’ Banned in 14 Middle Eastern and Asian Countries Due to Same-Sex Kisshttps://t.co/WYFo14cJ2p
— Disneyland News Today (@dlnt) June 14, 2022
No change from Disney
“The United Arab Emirates has banned the film because it violates their media content standards. Representatives of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Lebanon did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment,” WDWNT reported.
“It is assumed the film won’t open in China either. Authorities in China had asked Disney to make cuts to ‘Lightyear,’ but Disney declined,” it added.
The new Buzz Lightyear film has been banned in 14 countries over a gay kiss scene between two female characters in a same-sex relationship.
The scene was initially cut out in the edit, however, it was reinstated by Disney Pixar after an uproar from LGBTQ employees and supporters pic.twitter.com/hyDjZznbqn
— muslim daily (@muslimdaily_) June 14, 2022
Sales flop
The controversy may be a major reason behind the film’s flop over its opening weekend. The film hit nearly a third below its projected goals.
In addition, it was outsold by the second week of “Jurassic Park Dominion” and nearly outmatched by “Top Gun: Maverick” which had been out since Memorial Day weekend.
Disney’s Woke Lightyear movie FLOPS in opening weekend after controversy over lesbian kiss and decision to ax conservative star Tim Allen as voice of Buzzhttps://t.co/AxNp3vvX3y
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) June 20, 2022
The film cost a reported $300 to make. Opening weekend worldwide was only $51.7 million in the U.S.
The collapse of the latest Pixar film showed that movie watchers are not going to widely support a film that pushes sexual themes in children’s movies.
Instead, Pixar could go back to basic stories like Andy with his toys Woody and Buzz Lightyear and do far better at the box office.