The introduction of the superhero America Chavez should be the reason why the long-awaited Marvel sequel is not allowed to be shown in the country's cinemas.
Saudi Arabia's film censorship has once again stopped a film from Marvel's universe. The Hollywood Reporter announces that "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness", which premieres in early May, will not be shown in cinemas in the country.
The ban will again have to do with the presence of an LGBTQ person in the film. "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" introduces the character America Chavez, played by Xochitl Gomez, who in the comic books has been confirmed to be a lesbian.
Even in some of Saudi Arabia's neighboring countries, it is starting to look like the audience will not get to see the long-awaited sequel. An official ban has not yet been confirmed, but it will no longer be possible to buy tickets for the film in Kuwait and Qatar.
Last year, the Marvel movie "Eternals" was also stopped from going to cinemas in several countries in the Middle East, partly because of its depiction of a same-sex love affair. Since then, big movies like Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story" have also been stopped in the region, due to its inclusion of a trans character, played by a non-binary actor.
