The scene in The Rise of Skywalker featuring the first onscreen LGBTQ+ kiss in Star Wars history was reportedly censored in the Middle East.
Minor Spoiler Warning: The following article discusses a brief moment from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
A scene in The Rise of Skywalker featuring the franchise’s first onscreen LGBTQ+ kiss has been censored in the Middle East according to fans who saw the film in Dubai. While the LGBTQ+ characters aren’t part of the main ensemble and they’re not an integral part in The Rise of Skywalker, it’s still disappointing to see an important moment for the series censored in the Middle East.
A report from THR announced the scene’s removal from the latest Star Wars film in the Middle East, also noting that it’s currently the “Year of Tolerance” in the United Arab Emirates. Given that the scene shows two women kiss in the background of a celebration, it’s surprising that such a brief moment of representation has been removed from The Rise of Skywalker. Disney have yet to make a statement regarding the censored scene.
What do you think about the Middle East censoring The Rise of Skywalker? Sound off in the comments below!
Here is the official synopsis for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker:
Lucasfilm and director J. J. Abrams join forces once again to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the riveting conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, where new legends will be born and the final battle for freedom is yet to come.
Directed by J. J. Abrams, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker stars Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Billie Lourd, Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant, Keri Russell, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Ian McDiarmid, and Billy Dee Williams. Carrie Fisher will appear as General Leia Organa through the use of previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will be released in theaters on December 20, 2019.
Source: THR
