Doctor Strange: Disney will not cut LGBTQ+ scene in Multiverse of Madness

Saudi Arabia has asked that a scene involving America Chavez be removed from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Disney says they won’t remove it. Here’s why Disney must stand firm in this decision. 

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will be Marvel Studios’ first big film of the year. And, like always, the Marvel Cinematic Universe film will kick off the summer movie blockbuster era (even if it comes out in the spring). Fans have been anticipating this movie ever since the project was announced.

The excitement intensified at the last episode of WandaVision when Agatha Harkness said the Scarlet Witch’s power is stronger than the Sorcerer Supreme’s. Then, during the post credit scene, Wanda Maximoff was studying an ancient book of spells called the Darkhold. A book full of dark and dangerous magic.

There are other characters to be excited to see. Among them is a personal favorite of this writer, America Chavez, who’ll be played by Xochitl Gomez in the movie. America is a gay superhero who has two moms. Once upon a time, her origin was that she came from an alternate universe with all women. That has changed (read America Chavez: Made in the USA for more on that). Whether or not the character’s original genesis will be in the Doctor Strange sequel remains to be seen. However, she still has two mothers.

The Guardian reported that Saudi Arabia has asked for Disney to remove 12 seconds from the film, in which America refers to her two moms. Nawaf Alsabhan, Saudi Arabia’s general supervisor of cinema classification said, “We sent it to the distributor, and the distributor sent it to Disney, and Disney has told us they are not willing.”

As this article is being written, Disney has stood their ground and won’t be removing the scene from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. This writer hopes that Disney maintains this stance. Removing that scene would do much more harm than just affecting the film’s continuity. It would take away an important message that there are LGBTQ+ people around the world and that they will be represented in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Representation is important. America Chavez saying she has two mothers could positively impact someone’s life or change it for the better. A person with two mothers may watch this and feel seen as a result. Representation like this could also further important conversations and change hearts and minds.

Some people will say, “It’s just a movie.” This writer doesn’t agree at all. Movies like Black Panther, Captain Marvel, and Shang-Chi prove that it’s more than that. What happens next is a defining moment for Marvel Studios and Disney. Will they back down from their stance or will they stand up and show the world that even in a fictional world, seeing someone who looks like you matters?

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness arrives in theaters on May 6, 2022.