Pixar’s Lightyear won’t show in some countries over same-sex kiss, with China screening also unlikely
- Disney was unable to get permission in 14 Asian and Middle Eastern nations to play the prequel to the Toy Story films
- A producer said Chinese authorities asked for cuts, which the company declined to make
Walt Disney Co has been unable to obtain permission to show its new Pixar movie Lightyear in 14 Middle Eastern and Asian countries, a source said on Monday, and the animated film appeared unlikely to open in China, the world’s largest movie market.
A Lightyear producer said 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 UAE 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.
Lightyear: Chris Evans in Toy Story spin-off aimed at children
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 said at the movie’s red-carpet premiere in London.
China is not a “make or break” market for Pixar, one theatre industry source said. It contributed a mere 3 per cent to the global box office for Toy Story 4, which grossed more than US$1 billion in worldwide ticket sales in 2019, according to Comscore.
Any objections to Lightyear over LGBT 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 theatres 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.
