Chris Evans Calls Critics Of Lightyear’s Gay Kiss “Idiots” As His Film Is Banned In the Middle East
Jacob Smith
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Lightyear star Chris Evans had some very interesting comments to make just shortly after his new movie was banned in multiple Middle Eastern countries. Earlier this week, it was announced that the latest Disney/Pixar film Lightyear will not be hitting cinemas in Middle East markets such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Malaysia, or Indonesia.
TRIAL AND ERROR – After being marooned on a hostile planet, Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans) attempts multiple test flights in an effort to recreate the complicated fuel required to reach hyperspeed so he and the whole crew can return to Earth. Directed by Angus MacLane (co-director “Finding Dory”) and produced by Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot”), Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” opens in U.S. theaters on June 17, 2022. © 2021 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
The film has been banned in those regions due to a same-sex kiss in the movie between Alisha, a character voiced by Uzo Aduba, and another woman.
RELATED: Report: Disney And Pixar’s Lightyear Film’s Same-Sex Couple “Pretty Front And Center” At CinemaCon
Disney added the scene in the movie to protest Republicans and the state of Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill that bans the teaching of sexuality and transgenderism to children between kindergarten through third grade.
HERO’S BEST FRIEND — Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” is an all-new, original feature film that presents the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans)—the hero who inspired the toy—following the legendary Space Ranger on an intergalactic adventure. But Buzz can’t do it alone—he shares space with a dutiful robot companion cat called Sox (voice of Peter Sohn). A hidden grab bag of gizmos in a cute kitty package, Sox is Buzz’s go-to friend and sidekick. Directed by Angus MacLane (co-director “Finding Dory”) and produced by Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot”), the sci-fi action-adventure releases on June 17, 2022. © 2022 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
When the star of the movie, Chris Evans, who is replacing the long-time voice of Buzz Lightyear Tim Allen, was asked about the backlash to the scene, he said that anyone who has a problem with the same-sex kiss is an “idiot” who will “die off like the dinosaurs.”
“The real truth is those people are idiots. There’s always going to be people who are afraid and unaware and trying to hold on to what was before. But those people die off like dinosaurs.” Evans said in an interview with Reuters.
The Gray Man (2022). Chris Evans as Lloyd Hansen. Cr. Paul Abell/Netflix © 2022
“I think the goal is to pay them no mind, march forward and embrace the growth that makes us human.” he added.
Evans continued his frustration with those upset about the scene, citing that it bothers him that same-sex relationships are still a problem in the first place.
EVIL EMPEROR – Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” is a sci-fi action adventure and the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans), the hero who inspired the toy. The story, which follows the legendary Space Ranger on an intergalactic adventure, features none other than Zurg—a seemingly invincible adversary of Buzz who would go on to inspire his own toy. Featuring the voices of Uzo Aduba, James Brolin, Mary McDonald-Lewis, Keke Palmer, Efren Ramirez, Peter Sohn, Dale Soules, Taika Waititi and Isiah Whitlock Jr., “Lightyear” releases June 17, 2022. © 2022 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
“It’s tough to not be a little frustrated that it even has to be a topic of discussion. The goal is that we can get to a point where it is the norm, and that this doesn’t have to be some uncharted waters, that eventually this is just the way it is, that representation across the board is how we make films.”
Evans, who is the star of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and a well-known progressive in Hollywood, has often been known for attacking former President Donald Trump and many Republicans over the last few years.
Source: Captain America, The Winter Soldier (2014), Marvel Studios
Evans has stated in the past that he is willing to alienate his audience if it means speaking his mind. “You don’t want to alienate half your audience, but I’d be disappointed in myself if I didn’t speak up. Especially for fear of some monetary repercussion or career damage that just feels really gross to me.”
In the UAE, Lightyear was previously dated for a June 16 release. The Emirates’ Media Regulatory Office of the Ministry of Youth and Culture tweeted today that Lightyear “is not licensed for public screening in all cinemas in the UAE, due to its violation of the country’s media content standards.”
Saudi Crowne Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud (Wiki Commons)
In Malaysia, the market’s largest cinema chain GSC tweeted “No beyond.” Disney movies have faced major restrictions in Saudi Arabia and in other regions, mostly due to their depictions of homosexuality on screen, or their depictions of gods and prophets. Some of Disney’s banned films include West Side Story, Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness, and Eternals.
As of this writing, the film has also not been set for release in China as well.
Source: Tim Allen on CBS Sunday Morning, YouTube
Actress Patricia Heaton blasted Disney over its decision to replace actor Tim Allen with Chris Evans, asking “Why would they completely castrate the Buzz Lightyear character?”
RELATED: Lightyear Director Implies Tim Allen Was Never Considered To Voice Buzz Lightyear
“Saw the trailer for Buzz Lightyear and all I can say is Disney/Pixar made a HUGE mistake in not casting my pal @ofctimallen Tim Allen in the role that he originated, the role that he owns,” Heaton tweeted on Tuesday.
Saw the trailer for Buzz Lightyear and all I can say is Disney/Pixar made a HUGE mistake in not casting my pal @ofctimallen Tim Allen in the role that he originated, the role that he owns. Tim IS Buzz! Why would they completely castrate this iconic, beloved character?
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) June 14, 2022
Source: Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS
“Tim IS Buzz!” the actress added. “Why would they completely castrate this iconic, beloved character?”
“Ok so the current Buzz Lightyear movie is an origin story – but the reason the character became so beloved is because of what [Tim Allen] created.”
Source: Lightyear Trailer, Disney
“Why remove the one element that makes us want to see it?” the Everybody Loves Raymond actress added, along with the hashtag, “Stupid Hollywood Decisions.”
Ok so the current Buzz Lightyear movie is an origin story – but the reason the character became so beloved is because of what @ofctimallen created. Why remove the one element that makes us want to see it?#stupidHollywooddecisions https://t.co/bRn1lZgkac
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) June 14, 2022
Lightyear releases in theaters tomorrow. What are your thoughts on Evans’s comments amid bans in middle eastern regions?
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