Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of West Side Story will not show in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman or Kuwait, The Hollywood Reporter (THR) reported.
Although the reasoning is yet to be confirmed, sources told the outlet that the decision was a result of West Side Story’s inclusion of a transgender character – Anybodys, played by non-binary actor Iris Menas.
The movie was never given a release certificate in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait which, of the six regions banning West Side Story, are considered the strictest when it comes to censoring content.
The remaining four countries requested cuts from the movie, though Disney reportedly refused to oblige meaning that the 9 December release date in the region will not go