Disney refused to censor a "gay moment" between two characters in "Beauty and the Beast" and instead opted to pull the movie from Malaysian theaters.
Disney said the film "has not been cut and will not be cut," according to BBC after reports Disney cut a scene to appease Malaysian officials.
The movie is the first in the company’s history to feature openly gay characters. According to the Film Censorship Board in Malaysia, movies featuring scenes promoting homosexuality are forbidden.
The movie had been postponed due to an “internal review,” according to BBC. It is unclear whether the movie will be released in Malaysia.
Even after editors reportedly cut the “moment,” the movie was given a P13 rating, the equivalent of a PG13 rating. The movie is rated PG in America.
Actor Josh Gad and director Bill Condon confirmed that evil sidekick LeFou will be portrayed as a gay man in the upcoming film earlier this month, and the revelation has sparked controversy around the world. In Russia, lawmakers have pushed for a ban of the film, claiming the film is a “blatant” piece of sinful propaganda.
The movie has even caused a ripple in America. A drive-in theater in Alabama has already announced it will not show the film.
RELATED: Movie theater says it won't show 'Beauty and the Beast' because of gay character
““If we can not take our 11 year old grand daughter and 8 year old grandson to see a movie we have no business watching it. If I can't sit through a movie with God or Jesus sitting by me then we have no business showing it,” the theater wrote in a since-deleted Facebook post.
Alex Hider is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @alexhider.
