April 22, 2022
'Doctor Strange' Sequel Banned in Saudia Arabia Over Gay Character
Emell Adolphus READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Marvel's upcoming "Doctor Strange" sequel, "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" is the latest movie not to reach its fans in the Gulf coast due to anti-LGBTQ stances, reported Variety.
The long-awaited sequel reportedly was not permitted to be shown by Saudi Arabian censors after changes to a gay character were not met by the studio.
"In the region, movies concerning or containing sex, homosexuality and religious issues are routinely cut to comply with censorship rules. In this case Disney was either unwilling or unable make edits requested by censors," Variety reports.
Set for a May 6 release, the Sam Raimi-directed sequel "Doctor Strange" sequel stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Strange and will feature a new hero by the name America Chavez, played by "The Baby-Sitters Club" star Xochitl Gomez. Her character in the movie is reportedly gay, true to how she is portrayed in the Marvel comics.
"Advanced tickets sales of the "Doctor Strange" sequel are not available in Saudi, Kuwait and Qatar. However, they are on sale in the United Arab Emirates, indicating that the film will be released there, since censorship in the Emirates has recently become less restrictive," reports Variety.
