Chris Evans Calls Critics Of Lightyear’s Gay Kiss “Idiots” As His Film Is Banned In the Middle East
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.
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.
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.
“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.
“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.
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.”
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.
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
“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.”
“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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