Angelina Jolie speaks out about 'ignorant' 'Eternals' ban over gay kiss

Angelina Jolie has said she’s “sad” for cinema-goers in countries that have apparently banned Eternals over a gay kissing scene.

The Marvel movie has been pulled from screens in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait, according to The Hollywood Reporter (THR). 

And sources have suggested it is because the film includes a same-sex couple — Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry) and his partner Ben (Haaz Sleiman) — and the fact that they share a kiss in one scene.

Read more: Salma Hayek says Samuel L Jackson rumbled her Eternals secret

Jolie, 46, has now spoken out about it, telling Australia’s news.com.au that people who don't approve or are angered are "ignorant".

"I’m sad for [those audiences]," she said. "And I’m proud of Marvel for refusing to cut those scenes out."

The A-lister went on: “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.”

Homosexuality is still officially illegal in many parts of the Middle East.

It’s understood that local censors had asked that Eternals be edited before its release in the region, which was due to be next week.

However, it seems that Disney – which owns Marvel - decided against altering the film.

Read more: Angelina Jolie smashes a cake into Salma Hayek's face in new video

Eternals was directed by Chloe Zhao and also stars Richard Madden, Gemma Chan, Salma Hayek and Kit Harington. It's in IMAX and cinemas now.

Watch: Richard Madden is proud to be Marvel's first Scottish superhero