Disney Fears “Woke” Label, Reportedly Cuts LGBTQ+ Storyline from Latest Blockbuster

This has reignited debates about the entertainment industry’s approach to inclusion and representation. The initial plan allegedly involved a scene between Valkyrie, the King of New Asgard, and Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel), where they discuss their relationship dynamics, suggesting a romantic involvement in the past.

According to The Pink News, this storyline was noticeably absent from the final cut, sparking speculation and disappointment among fans and advocates of LGBTQ+ representation. At one point, the two were supposed to discuss the fact that they “work better as friends.”

Captain Marvel and Valkyrie were explicitly together in the past (cut quote: “we work better as friends”) but Disney are cowards.

🍞EXCLUSIVE🍞

Plot elements that were cut from ‘THE MARVELS’:

• Kamala wasn’t able to take off her bangle and was imprisoned/tortured by Dar-Benn.

• Captain Marvel and Valkyrie were explicitly together in the past (cut quote: “we work better as friends”) but Disney are… pic.twitter.com/LmZsCDwQhD

— CanWeGetSomeToast (@CanWeGetToast) November 19, 2023

Iger Promises Disney Will “Quiet the Noise” on the Culture War

This development comes against the backdrop of Disney’s broader struggle to balance social and political considerations with its commitment to entertaining a diverse global audience.

Under the leadership of returning CEO Bob Iger, the company has faced criticism from both sides of the ideological spectrum. On the one hand, conservative voices, exemplified by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, have accused Disney of promoting a progressive social agenda and even alleged the company’s involvement in child grooming.

Credit: Marvel Studios

In response to these controversies, Iger has made public statements emphasizing a desire to steer clear of culture wars and refocus on the core mission of entertaining audiences. This may be the first example of his statements in motion.

In an interview with MSNBC, Iger expressed a reluctance to embroil the company in divisive debates, particularly in the aftermath of the controversy surrounding the “Don’t Say Gay Bill.”

This sentiment was reiterated during an annual shareholder meeting where Iger emphasized the need for Disney’s primary mission to be entertainment rather than advancing specific agendas.

Credit: Disney

A Concerning Trend

The decision to exclude the LGBTQ+ storyline from The Marvels aligns with this corporate stance. Critics argue that Disney’s move reflects a hesitancy to engage in potentially divisive content that might alienate certain audience segments.

The studio’s past experiences with films like Lightyear (2022) and Strange World (2022), which faced backlash and financial challenges due to their inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters and themes, likely influenced this decision.

Disney

The underperformance of Strange World specifically triggered accusations of Disney pushing a “woke” agenda, highlighting the delicate balancing act studios must navigate in today’s socially conscious environment.

The exclusion of the LGBTQ+ storyline from The Marvels raises questions about whether studios sacrifice diverse representation to avoid controversy. It underscores the ongoing challenge entertainment giants like Disney face in finding the right balance between artistic expression and audience reception, especially in an era where social consciousness plays a pivotal role in shaping public discourse.

As Iger stresses that Disney will “quiet the noise” in the culture wars, the decision to backtrack on the LGBTQ+ storyline in The Marvels is hard to ignore as a simple coincidence. Whether we will continue to see backtracks or cuts like this remains to be seen.

This post is originally appeared on Disney Dining.