Angelina Jolie reacts to Eternals ban over gay scenes

Marvel’s latest epic has been banned in some countries, news one of its stars, Angelina Jolie, has branded as “sad” and “ignorant”.

Angelina Jolie has criticised “ignorant” attitudes which led to some countries’ decision to ban her Marvel movie, Eternals.

It emerged today that countries including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar will not release Eternals because the superhero movie features a same-sex relationship and a gay kiss.

The Hollywood Reporter first broke the news that listings for Eternals had been removed from cinema sites in those territories after Marvel declined to remove the scenes.

During a press roundtable, Jolie, who plays warrior Thena, told news.com.au, “I’m sad for [those audiences]. And I’m proud of Marvel for refusing to cut those scenes out.

“I still don’t understand how we live in a world today where there’s still [people who] would not see the family Phastos has and the beauty of that relationship and that love.

“How anybody is angry about it, threatened by it, doesn’t approve or appreciate it is ignorant.”

Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait.

Angelina Jolie reacts to Eternals being banned in some countries. Picture: Tolga Akmen / AFP

In Eternals, Phastos, played by Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta), is Marvel’s first headline gay character. His character is shown in a same-sex marriage with a character portrayed by Haaz Sleiman and together they have a son.

Brian Tyree Henry (centre) as Phastos in Eternals. Picture: Marvel Studios

Marvel has previously been criticised for being slow on LGBTQI representation in its films. It had an unnamed gay character who appeared in a short scene in Avengers: Endgame while Tom Hiddleston’s Loki has been retroactively revealed as queer this year in his Disney+ series.

The possibility that the depiction of a same-sex relationship might run afoul of specific countries was already on the mind of Eternals director Oscar winner Chloe Zhao.

Earlier this year, she told IndieWire, “I don’t know all the details, but I do believe discussions were had and there’s a big desire for Marvel and myself – we talked about this – to not change the cut of the movie.”

It’s not unusual for Hollywood studios to make cuts to movies for release in countries with different censorship rules. Bohemian Rhapsody famously removed references to Freddie Mercury’s sexuality to appease censors in China.

Angelina Jolie plays warrior Thena in Eternals. Picture: Marvel Studios

Eternals is Marvel Studios’ 26th movie and tells the story of 10 immortal superpowered beings who have been on Earth for 7000 years in a fight against the Deviants.

The movie received mixed reviews but has been praised for its representation of marginalised communities. It features a diverse cast that includes Salma Hayek, Gemma Chan, Don Lee, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff and Brian Tyree Henry.

Ridloff’s casting is also notable as the first deaf actor in the MCU while her character Makkari is also deaf.

Eternals is in cinemas now.

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