Lebanon bans Snow White due to Gal Gadot’s involvement

Disney's Evil Queen is once again a victim of geopolitics in the Middle East.

Disney magic collides with geopolitical reality (again)

Oh, what a surprise: Snow White, the fairy tale that already had enough problems with poisoned apples and magic mirrors, now runs into a much more earthly obstacle: international politics. Lebanon, in a move no one saw coming (lie, we all saw it coming), banned Disney’s live-action remake because, oh dear, the Evil Queen is played by Israeli actress Gal Gadot. Because, of course, nothing ruins fantasy more than a decades-long war conflict.

The minister who did not want a “happily ever after”

Mr Ahmad Al-Hajjar, Lebanese Interior Minister, decided that his country did not need more drama than it already had and vetoed the film. Reason? The tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, which, it seems, are more intense than any poisoning scene in the forest. According to Variety, this is not new: Gadot was already on Lebanon’s blacklist for years. Who would have thought? An Israeli actress, ex-military and openly Zionist, is not welcome in a country that does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel. What a plot twist!

RelatedLebanon bans Disney’s Snow White over Gal Gadot involvement

“No Gadot film has ever been released here,” declared a representative of the local distributor, as if announcing the weather forecast. And, in case anyone doubted it, he clarified that Kuwait (another fan of political vetoes) has not banned the film… yet. Patience, these bureaucratic procedures take time.

Meanwhile, Gadot, who in addition to being a superhero on screen was a soldier in real life, continues to defend her country with the same passion with which she persecuted Snow White. In a recent speech, he lamented global anti-Semitism and how some celebrate Hamas attacks. Irony? That an actress who fought against fictional villains now faces very real enemies.

In case anyone believed that this was an isolated case, let us remember that two months ago Lebanon also vetoed Captain America: Brave New World for including another Israeli actress. Conclusion? Disney should consider apolitical casting for its next films… or at least review the geopolitical map before signing contracts.

Are you surprised by this news? Share it and show the world that cinema is never just entertainment. Or, if you prefer to ignore reality, you can always watch the animated version from 1937… that one, at least, only has problems with witches.

Green Day surprises at Comic-Con with concert from an ice cream truck

Billie Joe Armstrong gave a surprise show from an ice cream truck to promote the band's biopic.

Icy surprise in San Diego

From the roof of an ice cream truck, Billie Joe Armstrong gave a surprise concert at San Diego Comic-Con this Friday. The band promotes Nimrods, their next biographical film.

The vocalist performed “Basket Case” near Petco Park. Dozens of fans gathered to sing and enjoy the show.

During the activation, themed ice creams and t-shirts alluding to the film were distributed. This was reported by American media.

At the event were actors Mason Thames and Jenna Fischer, part of the cast of Nimrods. Fischer is known for her role as Pam Beesly on The Office.

While Armstrong led the presentation, his colleagues Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool handed out the ice creams.

Directed by Lee Kirk and starring Mason Thames, Nimrods will be released on August 14 in the United States.

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Comic-Con 2027: Marvel reveals Black Panther III and Ghost Rider

Marvel announces new Black Panther and confirms Gosling as Ghost Rider in 2028.

Marvel Studios took advantage of its presentation at San Diego Comic-Con International to announce two projects that will arrive in 2028: Black Panther III and Ghost Rider.

New heir for Wakanda

David Jonsson took the stage alongside director Ryan Coogler. Letitia Wright and Winston Duke greeted him with smiles. Jonsson will play the son of T’Challa, the character made famous by Chadwick Boseman.

“Thank you to this family that I have the honor and blessing to join. I don’t want to say too much, because I want to let the screen speak,” said the 32-year-old actor, known for Industry and Alien: Romulus.

The release of Black Panther III is scheduled for December 15, 2028. Boseman died in 2020. The first film in the franchise grossed more than $1.3 billion and was the first superhero film nominated for an Oscar for best film.

Gosling rides the infernal motorcycle

Ryan Gosling will repeat with director Shawn Levy in Ghost Rider. On the panel, Levy recalled his time in Hall H two years ago to promote Deadpool & Wolverine.

Gosling greeted Kevin Feige and confessed that he had wanted to play the character for a long time. His partner, Eva Mendes, starred alongside Nicolas Cage in the original 2007 version, before the Marvel cinematic universe. The rights have since reverted to Marvel Studios.

More surprises on the panel

Feige announced that Avengers: Endgame will be re-released in theaters on September 25 with new scenes that connect to Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for December 18.

A trailer showed Victor Von Doom (Robert Downey Jr.) bonding with Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby). Sue calls Doom a broken person: “Everything he loved was taken away from him.” Downey Jr. joked calling them “best friends.”

Ryan Reynolds burst in from the audience dressed as a gray Deadpool. He asked Paul Rudd why Thor cried in the previous film. Rudd replied: “He is a Wrexham fan,” referring to the football team of which Reynolds is a part-owner.

The panel was the most anticipated of the event. Marvel seeks to reboot its brand, affected by the excess of series on Disney+ and mixed reviews of Captain America: Brave New World.

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Cecilia Suárez: between tributes, therapy and self-reflection

The actress received the Silver Cross at the GIFF and spoke about her healing process.

A night of emotions

The Juárez Theater in Guanajuato was the scene of the national tribute to Cecilia Suárez, within the framework of the Guanajuato International Film Festival (GIFF). Upon taking the microphone, his first gesture was to ask about the safety of a photographer who fell into the stage pit. Official reports confirmed that he did not suffer serious injuries.

The actress, known for Sex, modesty and tears and The House of Flowers, received the Silver Cross, an award given by the UNAM Film Library with metal remains from film development. “They can give you 8 thousand pesos for it,” joked Hugo Villa, director of the Filmoteca, during the delivery.

Gratitude and motherhood

Suárez arrived accompanied by her son Teo, whom she defined as her driving force. She remembered María Félix’s words about motherhood and confessed:

“I felt very happy and knowing that because of the nerves I was going to get, I wrote something in case I couldn’t say anything.”

She also stressed that the path of an actress is not understood without collective effort. “One tends to think that when one receives a tribute one must be of a certain age… the path of an actress and actor cannot be understood without collective effort,” he stated.

His film debut was in 1999; then came All the power, A perfect world and Elvira would give you my life, but I’m using it. As an activist, she has advocated for women’s rights, including before the UN.

Irene Azuela and director Ernesto Contreras participated in the event, who praised her work.

Therapy as a tool

During a master class, Suárez spoke unreservedly about his investment in mental health:

“We talk little about acting dynamics; you have to constantly review yourself: who you are and what tools you come with. Millions of pesos spent in therapy and many hours of self-reflection and knowing who I am I have had.”

The actress uses techniques such as psychomagic, created by Alejandro Jodorowsky, which combines theater, shamanic rites and psychoanalysis. In response to questions from the audience, he pointed out that the new acting generations feel anguish during breaks, when they should enjoy them. For her, in turbulent times, only collective effort allows us to move forward.

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