Twelve seconds stands between Saudi Arabia and the release of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, with the ultra-conservative kingdom asking Disney to axe a scene that regulators have deemed too risqué.
The scene in question? A reference to a character’s LGBTQ+ identity.
The country's head of film classification, Nawaf al-Sabhan, told AFP that the scene involves lesbian super-heroine America Chavez referring to her 'two mums'.
Advert
"It's just LGBTQ references," al-Sabhan said. "In the Middle East, it's very difficult to get something like that across."
al-Sabhan said Disney has so far been 'not willing' to make the requested changes.
"There's no reason to ban the film," he said. "It's just an edit...so far they've refused. But we haven't closed the door. We keep trying."
Homosexuality is a capital offence in Saudi Arabia, enforced by a strict interpretation of of Islamic law that can see those of the LGBTIQ+ community punished by lashings and prison time.
Doctor Strange himself, British actor Benedict Cumberbatch, labelled Saudi Arabia's request as disappointing, but added he was not surprised they had asked Disney to cut the LGBTQ+ references from the film.
Advert
"It's difficult not to become emotional about it to be honest," the Doctor Strange actor told Britain's domestic Press Association news agency.
"But it is, I'm afraid, an expected disappointment."
Cumberbatch added that Saudi Arabia's move is 'out of step with everything that we've experienced as a species, let alone where we're at globally as a culture'.
"But frankly, it's just even more reason why this isn't tokenism to include an LGBTQ+ community member," Cumberbatch said.
Advert
"The character is from the comics, it's not something we've created for the sake of diversity.
"We've included her because of how awesome she is as a character. And that's just one aspect of her character.
"And that's all it should be."
Saudi Arabians have only been allowed to attend film screenings in recent years, with authorities lifting bans on cinemas in 2017.
Advert
Additionally, this is not the first time a Marvel flick has conflicted with the Arab kingdom's strict classification regulations.
The 2021 film Eternals was not screened in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait or Qatar as it featured a homosexual couple.
IMAX has also confirmed that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will not be shown in Egypt.
Regulators have not given a reason, but Egypt has a significant track record of abuse against LGBTIQ+ people and censorship.
Featured Image Credit: Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo. TCD/Prod.DB / Alamy Stock Photo.Topics: Marvel, LGBTQ, News, TV and Film
