Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Singaporean Release Omits Same Sex Kiss From Film

Fans who have witnessed Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will recall that the new film features a moment of a same-sex couple kissing in the film. However, if you are in Singapore, that moment will not be seen in the local cut of the film’s release. BBC.com reports that this brief moment was cut from the Singaporean version of the new Star Wars sequel.

This moment is the first onscreen same-sex kiss in the franchise’s history, though, there have been same-sex relationship depictions in the past in Star Wars, such as the Aftermath book trilogy by Chuck Wendig. However, the scene in question was omitted by Walt Disney Studios. According to the report, the Info-communications Media Development Authority, the media regulatory body for Singapore, revealed that Disney cut the beat out so the film could avoid a higher age rating.

The IMDA said in a statement, “The applicant has omitted a brief scene which under the film classification guidelines would require a higher rating.” Without the kiss, the film currently sits at a PG13 rating for Singapore’s theatrical rating system.

The Hollywood Reporter previously noted that the scene was uncut for the film’s Chinese release. In the past, China has blocked LGBTQ content, such as Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain. The same-sex kiss moments in Alien: Covenant were also censored from that film’s release in China in 2017 as well.

A PG13 rating is similar to the MPAA’s own PG-13 rating. It dictates that parental guidance is required for a child 13 and under to see the film. The next rating up for Singapore would be NC16, which is No Children Under 16. For comparison, a gay-themed teen romantic comedy, Love Simon, received an R21 rating in the country. R21 means Restricted to those above 21. The same film was rated PG-13 by the MPAA. Brokeback Mountain was released unedited in Singapore, but it received an R21 release.

The government of Singapore does not recognize same-sex marriages, and gay sex is considered illegal. However, the law is currently not enforced.

Additionally, BBC reports that the moment from Rise of Skywalker was also not shown in the UAE. Walt Disney Studios did not respond to requests for comments on the subject.

The film is now open in theaters. You can check out 411’s official review RIGHT HERE.