Marvel’s Eternals screenings earned an estimated $7.6M across 14 international markets on Wednesday, placing it 85% ahead of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and 20% of Black Widow. However, Marvel’s latest superhero epic may have hit a snag after being pulled or altered in several major territories. According to reports, Eternals will not be playing in places like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. Eternals was originally scheduled to open in the region on November 11, but it appears as if that’s no longer happening.
No official reasons were given as to why the film is being pulled, but people who keep their finger on the pulse of this sort of thing say they have some ideas. In Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman, the censors were seeking further cuts beyond any scenes of intimacy, and that Disney opted not to make the edits, hence distribution certificates weren’t issued, Deadline reports.
Meanwhile, in Kuwait and Qatar, Chloe Zhao’s superhero spectacle is being blocked. While some have pointed to a same-sex kiss being a part of the issue, these areas have a well-established history of taking issue with how gods and prophets are portrayed on the big screen, calling it blasphemous among other things.
In places like the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt, an alternate version of the film will be released that omits all scenes of intimacy – including those of a heterosexual and homosexual nature. This is par for the course in these parts of the world, but worth mentioning nonetheless.
As per the official synopsis, “Marvel Studios’ “Eternals” welcomes an exciting new team of Super-Heroes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The epic story, spanning thousands of years, features a group of immortal heroes forced out of the shadows to reunite against mankind’s oldest enemy, The Deviants. The outstanding ensemble cast includes Richard Madden as the all-powerful Ikaris, Gemma Chan as humankind-loving Sersi, Kumail Nanjiani as cosmic-powered Kingo, Lauren Ridloff as the super-fast Makkari, Brian Tyree Henry as the intelligent inventor Phastos, Salma Hayek as the wise and spiritual leader Ajak, Lia McHugh as the eternally young, old-soul Sprite, Don Lee as the powerful Gilgamesh, Barry Keoghan as aloof loner Druig, and Angelina Jolie as the fierce warrior Thena. Kit Harington plays Dane Whitman.”
I’m looking forward to seeing Zhao’s complete vision for Marvel’s Eternals this weekend. How about you? Let us know if you plan on checking it out in the comments section below.