Looks like Wicked has landed in some trouble before even taking off in Kuwait. The highly anticipated musical adaptation was pulled from the country’s cinema listings just one day before its scheduled premiere, and while Kuwait’s Information Ministry has remained mum, local media isn’t holding back on speculation.
According to reports, the alleged ban may stem from the film’s LGBTQ+ cast or themes—though nothing has been officially confirmed.
History of Bans in Kuwait
This isn’t Kuwait’s first time slapping a ban on a Hollywood blockbuster. Last summer, Barbie got the boot for promoting “ideas and beliefs that are alien to the Kuwaiti society and public order,” according to the state-run KUNA news agency. While the government didn’t elaborate, many pointed to the movie’s flamboyant tone and aesthetics. The Barbie ban wasn’t explicitly linked to LGBTQ+ themes, though it came in a country where homosexuality is illegal and punishable by imprisonment.
Kuwait also banned A24’s Talk to Me in 2022, specifically citing the casting of nonbinary transmasculine actor Zoe Terakes.
Why Wicked?
Speculation about Wicked centers on its rumored queer subtext and openly LGBTQ+ cast. The movie stars out actress Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, with other LGBTQ+ actors like Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero), Bowen Yang (Pfannee), and Marissa Bode (Nessarose) also in prominent roles.
Erivo, who plays the green-skinned heroine, came out as bisexual in British Vogue in 2022, and Bailey has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights since publicly coming out in 2018. Yang, another fan favorite, plays Glinda’s friend Pfannee, who has a brief swooning moment over a (potentially bisexual-coded) Fiyero.
Even if Wicked doesn’t explicitly name any LGBTQ+ characters, its queer subtext and campy, larger-than-life aesthetic are undeniable. That alone might be enough to spark controversy in a region known for strict censorship laws.
What’s Next?
As fans debate the reasoning behind Wicked’s mysterious disappearance, the film continues to soar elsewhere, with audiences buzzing about its stunning visuals, powerhouse performances, and, of course, its resonance with LGBTQ+ audiences.
Related | Why a Canonically Bisexual Fiyero is Just What ‘Wicked’ Needed
While Kuwait’s cinema-goers may miss out on this magical musical, one thing is clear—Wicked will always have a place in the hearts of queer fans worldwide.
The Final Note
Could Glinda and Elphaba’s friendship be just too fabulous for certain audiences? Maybe. But no matter the reasoning, Wicked keeps proving that its story is as timeless—and as unapologetically queer—as ever.
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