November 6, 2021 | Arts / Entertainment

Disney actually takes stand on gay representation

It looks like Mickey Mouse has developed some balls. Disney said it will not remove the gay kiss in Marvel’s new superhero flick Eternals, even though it means it will be banned in places like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait.

It's the first time a Marvel movie will feature a gay couple locking lips, when the character Phastos (played by Brian Tyree Henry) shares a “passionate kiss” with his husband Jack (Haaz Sleiman).

Several countries have demanded the studio edit out the scene. In countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia, being gay is a crime; positive representations of the LGBTQ community are not tolerated.

Disney, which owns Marvel, refused to make the requested changes.

“I don’t know all the details but I do believe discussions were had and there’s a big desire from Marvel and myself – we talked about this – to not change the cut of the movie. Fingers crossed,” director Chloe Zhao explained. “To position that family in that specific situation and to have that moment feel authentic and real… The audience has to feel that to care. Otherwise, there’s no point in putting that on-screen because they don’t feel it.”

“I feel lucky, and I’m grateful," said Sleiman, "And… I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I feel like Marvel, they were very smart to cast me in it because I got to humanise the hell out of it. I got to humanise an LGBTQ+ family and show how beautiful they are.”

The movie opens this weekend.

It'll be interesting to see if Disney keeps its new spine.