Angelina Jolie responded to Eternals getting banned in certain Gulf Nations.
Marvel Studios’ Eternals boasts the most diverse ensemble cast in its filmography. Not only do we get men and women of different cultures represented, but we also have the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first deaf superhero in Makkari (Lauren Ridloff) and also their first gay superhero in Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry). The film features Phastos married to a man named Ben (Haaz Sleiman), and the inclusion of this same-sex relationship has led to the film getting banned in certain Gulf Nations, which disappointed much of those involved with the film, including Angelina Jolie.
Angelina Jolie, who plays Thena in Eternals, expressed her disapproval over the film getting banned in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait, while praising Marvel Studios for refusing to cut the scenes featuring Phastos’ relationship out of the film:
“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.”
Angelina Jolie’s Eternals is the latest release from Disney to get banned in certain Gulf Nations in which homosexuality is illegal. In 2020, Pixar’s Onward was also banned for its portrayal of a minor supporting character as a lesbian.
Along with Angelina Jolie’s response, another Eternals star echoed the Academy Award-winning actress’ disapproval. Haaz Sleiman condemned the film’s ban in certain Gulf Nations, telling Variety:
“I have no respect for those governments. They have displayed to the world that they are not only a disgrace to humanity, but to God. Hopefully this will inspire the Saudi people, the Kuwaiti people and the people in Qatar to fight back.”
Here is the synopsis for Angelina Jolie’s Eternals:
“The story takes place across two time periods. One storyline is set in the past when they operated as a formidable team and a close family unit. The second storyline is in the present, when the group has fractured and split apart, content to live among humans, hiding in plain sight. The prevailing threat of the Deviants, which once again threatens the existence of mankind, means the Eternals need to put their differences aside and regroup.”
Chloe Zhao directed Eternals from a script she co-wrote with Patrick Burleigh, Kaz Firpo, and Ryan Firpo. The cast of the Marvel Studios project includes Gemma Chan as Sersi, Richard Madden as Ikaris, Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo, Lia McHugh as Sprite, Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos, Lauren Ridloff as Makkari, Barry Keoghan as Druig, Don Lee as Gilgamesh, Kit Harington as Dane Whitman, Salma Hayek as Ajak, and Angelina Jolie as Thena.
Eternals will hit theaters on November 5, 2021. Stay tuned for all the latest news surrounding the upcoming film and its connection to the Avengers and be sure to subscribe to Heroic Hollywood’s YouTube channel for more original video content.
Source: news.com.au
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