Saudi Arabia, Kuwait ban screening of Eternals because of gay superhero

Marvel's Eternals is set for release on November 11 across the Gulf region. Since the film has a gay superhero named Phastos, it has been banned in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and several other Arab countries.

Eternals is the first film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to feature a gay superhero. Haaz Sleiman, who came out as gay in 2017, plays the character Ben in the film. He is the husband of Phastos, played by Brian Tyree Henry. 

The film is directed by 2020 Oscar winner Chloe Zhao of Nomadland fame.

In the Arab world, films concerning or containing sex, homosexuality, and religious issues are routinely cut due to the censorship rules. But in the case of Eternals, it appears that Disney was either unwilling or, more likely, unable to do that.