Angelina Jolie Reacts to Marvel's Eternals LGBTQ+ Controversy

Eternals just hit theaters worldwide, and after a year's delay, it's finally time for the world to see what Marvel Studios has had up its sleeves.

The film wasn't entirely loved on Rotten Tomatoes, but if the audience score has anything to say about it, viewers around the world are having a better time with the movie than critics.

While Eternals is released in several countries, there are a few in which the project won't see a release at all. Why? Well, because they simply can't stomach the same-sex relationship that Brian Tyree Henry's Phastos brings to the table.

The good news about it all, however, is how Disney and Marvel Studios have generally been unwilling to make the demanded cuts that the various territories have requested––thereby sacrificing loads of box office revenue.

Eternals director Chloé Zhao publically commented that the hope is still to "not change the cut of the movie" and that specifically, the moments with Phastos are important in connecting the story and character with the audiences watching the film.

It's a move that one of the film's stars, Angelina Jolie, is quite proud of.

Angelina Jolie is Sad For Phastos Haters

During a conversation with News.com.au, Eternals actor Angelina Jolie commented on how various countries have banned the newly released Marvel Studios film simply because of the same-sex couple featured on screen for Brian Tyree Henry's Eternal, Phastos.

Jolie stated that "[she] is proud of Marvel for refusing to cut those scenes out," and anyone who "is angry about it, threatened by it, doesn't approve or appreciate it is ignorant:"

“I'm sad for [those audiences]. And I'm proud of Marvel for refusing to cut those scenes out... I still don't understand how we live in a world today where there's still [people who] would not see the family Phastos has and the beauty of that relationship and that love... how anybody is angry about it, threatened by it, doesn't approve or appreciate it is ignorant.”

The LGBTQIA+ Controversy That Shouldn't Be

It's truly a shame how such problems still exist in today's society. The fact that these territories can't handle Phastos kissing another man is upsetting. 

It's great to see one of the film's stars specifically call them out for their archaic ways as well; now, Marvel Studios and Disney should make the next public statement.

While they probably won't, the steps that have been taken are still significant and shouldn't be discounted. It does beg the question, though, of how is Marvel going to handle that lost revenue.

Even projects such as Black Widow and Shang-Chi still don't have a release in key areas and likely won't ever procure one. Is Marvel going to have to assume that those specific areas are now profitless? And if so, how will it make up for the loss of profit going forward?

Hopefully, it doesn't come back around and bite the fans in the rear. Eternals can now be seen worldwide in theaters––at least, in most places.