Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will not be released in the United Arab Emirates after failing to pass the countrys censorship requirements, Variety has confirmed. A scene featuring a poster in the background of the frame that depicts the transgender flag and reads Protect Trans Lives is said to be one of the concerns that prevented a release from being approved, sources said.
The United Arab Emirates ban comes only a week ahead of the Sony Pictures films intended release date in the region of June 22. However, it isnt uncommon for the countrys censorship board to axe the imminent release of films featuring LGBTQ+ content. Another animated film faced a similar predicament last summer, when Disney and Pixars Lightyear was not released in the country due to a scene depicting a same-sex kiss between two lesbian space rangers. The Toy Story spinoff was also banned from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Malaysia.
The censorship boards decision regarding Across the Spider-Verse also represents a swerve after the films 2018 predecessor, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, did see a local release, grossing $1.7 million in the territory. It remains unclear whether Across the Spider-Verse will receive a release in Saudi Arabia, though the countrys censorship requirements often align with those of the United Arab Emirates.
Along with its presentation of a Protect Trans Lives poster, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has also drawn attention for how it explores the arc of Gwen Stacy (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld), who some viewers have interpreted as a trans-coded character. In the film, Stacy conceals the secret of her true identity from her father. Scenes set in the characters dimension also prominently feature the colors of the transgender flag. However, Stacy is not explicitly identified as transgender in the film.