Disney's 'Lightyear' will not be released in UAE cinemas, regulator says

The animated production was due to be screened this week

US actor Chris Evans, who voices Buzz Lightyear, attends the premiere of Disney and Pixar's 'Lightyear' at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on June 8. AFP

The film is due for a global release on June 17. At least several Middle Eastern nations have said it won't be released in cinemas there. Disney / Pixar via AP)

The film, which was PG-rated in the US and UK, features a same-sex kiss between two characters, which has caused controversy in some markets. Disney / Pixar via AP

Italian actress Esther Elisha, who voices Alisha Hawthorne in the film, appears at an Italian premiere. EPA

The Disney film 'Lightyear' will not be released in the UAE because of its content, the country's media regulator has said.

The animated production is due for a global release on Thursday.

In a statement, the Media Regulatory Office said it was not licensed to be shown.

“The Media Regulatory Office announced that the animated film Lightyear, which is scheduled for release on 16th June, is not licensed for public screening in all cinemas in the UAE, due to its violation of the country’s media content standards,” it said in a social media post.

“The office confirms that all films screened in cinemas across the country are subject to follow-up and evaluation before the date of screening to the public, to ensure the safety of the circulated content according to the appropriate age classification.”

According to media reports, regulators in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait made the same decision in recent days.

In the US and elsewhere, the PG-rated film was subject to controversy over a same-sex kiss between two characters.