The new blockbuster movie Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse was abruptly removed from cinema listings in more than a dozen Muslim-majority countries without explanation, apparently over the inclusion of a blink-and-you-miss-it transgender poster in the background of one frame, the AP reports. No explicit bans of the film were announced, but there were indications that it will not reach screens. For example, there is no expectation that Across the Spider-Verse will be shown in the United Arab Emirates, said a source close to the film who was not authorized to speak publicly. The source cited rigorous censorship of movies for children and younger viewers.
The superhero film debuted in US cinemas at the beginning of June, tripling the domestic opening weekend revenue of its Oscar-winning predecessor, Into the Spider-Verse. Initially, it was scheduled to open in the Mideast on June 22, ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. The film was listed in cinema programs as recently as last week in countries such as Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, and Egypt, but was abruptly and quietly pulled. No reasons were given. The film includes a scene where a transgender flag printed with the words “Protect Trans Kids” is hanging in the room of Gwen Stacy, a spider superhero and character voiced by Hailee Steinfeld.
Emaar Entertainment, a state-owned entity and parent company of major UAE cinema company Reel Cinemas, confirmed to the AP that it won’t be screening Across the Spider-Verse, which has received overwhelmingly positive reviews. The company attributed the decision to Empire Entertainment, the exclusive theatrical distributor for Sony Pictures movies in the Middle East. In a similar incident last year, Disney’s Lightyear was banned in 13 Muslim-majority nations for featuring a scene with a lesbian kiss. (More movies stories.)
,
uBlock 
,
and
Ghostery 
)
