Lightyear, the latest from Disney and Pixar starring Chris Evans as the iconic space traveller first introduced in 1995’s Toy Story, will no longer see release in the United Arab Emirates.
“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 was announced on Twitter.
The move comes after the hashtag ‘منععرضلايتييرفيالامارات#’ which translates to ‘BanLightyearinUAE‘ was garnering attention on Twitter the previous day.
The film, which follows the man that the toy in Toy Story was based on, is an original feature film sci-fi action-adventure that “presents the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear—the hero who inspired the toy—introducing the legendary Space Ranger who would win generations of fans. Chris Evans lends his voice to Buzz,” according to Disney.
“The phrase ‘a dream come true’ gets thrown around a lot, but I’ve never meant it more in my life,” says Evans. “Anyone who knows me knows that my love for animated films runs deep. I can’t believe that I get to be a part of the Pixar family and work with these truly brilliant artists who tell stories unlike anyone else. Watching them work is nothing short of magic. I pinch myself every day.”
Annie Award-winning director and veteran Pixar animator Angus MacLane, who co-directed 2016’s “Finding Dory,” helms “Lightyear.” Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot” short) produces.
The Toy Story franchise is one of the most popular in animated film history.