KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 ― The Malaysian Censorship Board (LPF) has disavowed responsibility for the delayed screening of Disney’s latest Beauty and the Beast remake, saying the agency already approved the movie with a PG13 rating.
LPF chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hamid acknowledged that his agency removed a “minor scene” over gay content, but added that the edited movie was suitable for those over the age of 13 with parental guidance.
“Once a movie has been approved, it is up to the cinemas, distributor and copyright owner.
“In the case of ‘Beauty and the Beast’, LPF has approved it and I am not sure why it has been postponed,” he told Malay Mail Online.
The highly-anticipated Disney remake met global controversy after director Bill Condon told UK magazine Attitude that the character of Le Fou, played by Josh Gad, would have a “nice exclusively gay moment” in the movie.
It was reported yesterday that the live action remake of the classic fairy tale has been removed from cinema listings and postponed indefinitely pending an “internal review” by film distributor The Walt Disney Co (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.
The movie was due to be released this Thursday.
Disney Malaysia is yet to respond to Malay Mail Online on questions regarding its decision to do so.
Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) and TGV Cinemas have started offering refunds for those who have made advanced purchases of the movie’s tickets.
Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz has since condemned the move as “ridiculous”.
The movie's lead characters are played by Emma Watson as Belle, Dan Stevens as the Beast and Luke Evans as Gatson.
