April 24, 2022
1 min read

‘Multiverse of Madness’ banned in Arab countries

Benedict Cumberbatch’s upcoming superhero film ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ will not see the light of day in Saudi Arabia and several other Arab countries due to the inclusion of a gay character, reports ‘Variety’…reports Asian Lite News

A source told ‘Variety’ that Saudi Arabian censors held back their permit to release the film in the kingdom as the changes they requested were not approved by Disney.

The new Sam Raimi-directed sequel stars Cumberbatch as the titular character, and it also features the new hero America Chavez, played by ‘The Baby-Sitters Club’ star Xochitl Gomez.

As per reports cited by ‘Variety’, Gomez’s character in the movie is reportedly gay, true to how she is portrayed in the Marvel comics.

The ‘Doctor Strange’ sequel, which is scheduled to release in the US on May 6, was initially slated for release in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries on May 5.

But in the region, which maintain a conservative outlook on 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 to make edits requested by censors.

ALSO READ: ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’: A pleasing entertainer with brilliant cinematography

‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ is set after the events of ‘WandaVision’, ‘Loki’ and ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’, follows the Sorcerer Supreme’s attempts to contain the aftermath of the multiverse-fracturing spell he cast in the recent Tom Holland and Zendaya-starrer ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’, which caused villains from across the multiverse to spill over into the central Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline.

Previous Story

Cong leaders welcome PK’s reboot plan

Next Story

Speculations rife over I-Pac-Trinamool deal

Latest from Arab News

Khamenei Breaks Cover in Tehran

Iran’s Supreme Leader makes first public appearance since conflict with Israel, as mystery over his wartime absence continues. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made his first public appearance on Saturday since

Macron Eyes UK Shift on Palestine

While both France and the UK agree in principle on recognising a Palestinian state, there are significant differences over the timing and political conditions…reports Asian Lite News French President Emmanuel Macron is

‘Global firms profiting from Gaza genocide’

Report by Francesca Albanese singles out companies such as Palantir and calls for prosecutions…reports Asian Lite News The UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories has called for

UK reestablishes diplomatic ties with Syria

Alongside the visit by Lammy, the government announced an additional £94.5m support package to cover humanitarian aid and support longer-term recovery within Syria and countries helping Syrian refugees Foreign Secretary David Lammy

G42 AI tool boosts procurement by 40%

Abu Dhabi’s tech giant leads the charge in AI-driven operational transformation with (In)Business Procurement platform. Abu Dhabi-based global technology powerhouse G42 has taken a major leap in enterprise digital transformation with the
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Pakistan secret delegation held talks with TTP, Haqqani network

Pakistan sent a secret delegation to neighbouring Afghanistan to hold

Erdogan in Saudi

The Turkish leader arrived on Monday in Saudi Arabia as