"Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" Will No Longer Screen in Egypt

Sony's highly-anticipated movie "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" will no longer screen in Egypt, which was set to release on June 21. 

Following inquiries on social media over whether the movie would be released in EgyptVox Cinemas, which is owned by Emirati businessman and retail mogul Majid Al Futtaim, shared on social media that the movie was no longer screening in the country.

“‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ is not releasing in Cinemas across Egypt,” VOX commented. 

The cancellation follows its ban in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The movie has been banned after failing to pass the censorship requirements.

However, the US audience noted the appearance of a trans flag reading “Protect Trans Kids” in the background of a scene is the likely culprit for the banning of the movie.

This is not the first instance of LGBTQ+ content leading to censorship in the Middle East. 

Last year, Pixar’s "Lightyear" and Marvel’s "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" was banned due to the portrayal of couples in same-sex relationships.

Sony’s animated sequel is benefitting from great reviews and positive word-of-mouth, as well as goodwill from its predecessor, 2018’s Oscar-winning “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”

Audiences awarded the movie an “A” CinemaScore while critics bestowed it with a 95% average on Rotten Tomatoes.

Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson directed the PG-rated “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”, which cost $100 million.

The sequel is set to have 240 characters, explore 6 different universes, and has had roughly 1,000 people working on it.

"Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" follows Miles Morales, (voiced by Shameik Moore), the protagonist of the original movie as he groups up with Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac), “Spider-Man 2099” and Spider-Gwen aka Spider-Woman (Hailee Steinfeld).

The rest of the voice cast includes Brian Tyree Henry, Issa Rae, Jason Schwartzman, and Daniel Kaluuya.

The sequel sees Morales swinging into the Multiverse where he encounters a team of Spider-People. The team has been charged with protecting the existence of the Multiverse.

Though it becomes a sticky situation as the Spider-People clash on how to handle a powerful super-villain. Miles is left to redefine his definition of a hero.

The third movie has already been announced, "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse", releasing on March 29, 2024. Both upcoming films' villain is said to be The Spot (Jason Schwartzman).

The runtime of the sequel clocks at 2 hours and 20 minutes. It earned a whopping $120 million worldwide in its first week.