Malaysian Marvel fans speak up about 'Thor: Love And Thunder' not screening in Malaysian cinemas. Photo: Handout
Thor superfan Ho Yeung Loong, 34, was all ready for Thor: Love And Thunder. The freelance craftsman and prop maker even created a cosplay costume based on the new one that the Marvel superhero dons in the movie, and was ready to wear it to the film’s premiere in Malaysia.
Unfortunately, all his plans have been dashed. Starring Chris Hemsworth as the titular superhero, Thor: Love And Thunder was originally scheduled to premiere in Malaysian cinemas on July 7. However, after several postponements, it is now officially off the cinema schedule for good.
Ho worked for about a month on his costume, based on the new one Hemsworth wears in the new movie. – Photo: Instagram/CraftcavemanAn announcement by Golden Screen Cinemas yesterday (July 28) said that the film’s distributors, The Walt Disney Company Malaysia Sdn Bhd had informed them that the movie will not be screened in Malaysian cinemas after all.
Understandably, Ho and other fans of the Marvel superhero are not happy about this at all.
“Even though I’m not surprised, I’m still really upset about it,” says Ho, who is an avid cosplayer and makes armour and other props for not just Thor, but other pop culture properties as well, under the nickname Craftcaveman.
“I have been working late nights for a month and was rushing to finish the costume (in time) for the movie premiere. But after the first postponement (on July 1), I lost motivation, but still managed to finish it.”
With the movie now no longer coming to Malaysia, Ho said many of his friends had to resort to other means to watch the movie. “I know someone who drove eight hours from KL to Singapore just to watch it. Another one flew there from East Malaysia to watch it and flew back the next day,” he said.
Other Malaysian MCU fans were also not amused by the cancellation.
“Ban Thor? Hear me roar!” said HR manager Joyce Chan, 37, a major MCU fan. “I’m outraged, bummed out. I only go to the cinema for Marvel movies nowadays.”
A blow for cinema
Chan is not the only one who goes to cinemas for big MCU blockbusters. In a recent interview held before the official cancellation of Love And Thunder, Koh Mei Lee, chief executive officer of Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) and chairman of the Malaysian Association of Film Exhibitors (MAFE) estimates a loss of about four million admissions with the movie's cancellation, adding that Malaysian cinemas had been expecting it to make at least RM60mil to RM65mil in the box office.
Digital marketing manager Yat Guo Jian, 38, has worked in Singapore’s cinema industry before, and reckons that Malaysian cinemas will be hugely affected because they are highly driven by blockbusters throughout the year.
“I was an avid movie-goer in the pre-pandemic, especially the MCU ones. Now, I am more mindful about visiting the cinema for anything less than a blockbuster," he added.
Chris Hemsworth in a scene from 'Thor: Love and Thunder'. – Photo: Walt Disney Company Malaysia
Shopper Development Manager Mah Jee Onn, 40, said that cinemas are still the best place to watch movies, and feels sad for them as the revenue from this title is now a “resounding zero”.
“You get the best experience in the cinema, with the large screen and the amazing sound system. These are things you will not be able to experience at home,'' he said. “Many people have said ‘Don't worry, it will be on Disney+ or Netflix’. Some have even said "No choice, have to watch illegally."
“But blockbusters are meant to be enjoyed in cinemas, in my opinion. Now I am worried about whether we will be able to even watch any of the upcoming MCU movies, or if ANY blockbuster would be shown here again. Cinemas would be the biggest losers.”
Christian Bale as Gorr the God Butcher. – Photo: Walt Disney Company Malaysia
Need for clearer guidelines
Love And Thunder is not the first movie to be inexplicably cancelled this year. Another Disney movie, Lightyear, also suffered the same fate in May when Disney made the decision not to screen it here after refusing to comply with conditions imposed by the Malaysian Film Censorship Board (LPF), including removing certain parts which promote the LGBT lifestyle.
While no reason for the cancellation has been given, Love And Thunder also notably includes some LGBT references, as well as a villain called Gorr the God Butcher (played by Christian Bale), who is on a mission to kill all the gods in the universe. Hemsworth's naked buttocks are also shown in one of the scenes.
Whatever the reason for the cancellation, most fans still agree that the LPF needs to set clearer guidelines and adjust their ratings for more mature movies.
“They need to set clearer guidelines and raise movie ratings to cater for more mature audiences if needed,” Yat said. “They have to be updated to suit a modern and progressive entertainment industry, while still respecting the sensitivities of the Malaysian culture.”
Tessa Thompson (left) and Natalie Portman in Thor: Love And Thunder. — Photo: Walt Disney Company Malaysia
Self-employed Adely Ariffin, 48, said that Malaysians are more than capable of thinking and judging for themselves about whether what they watch is right or wrong.
“Thinking adults can differentiate what is serious, funny, or sensitive and decide accordingly. If the fear is that certain ‘new trends’ will lead to it being normalised or may influence children, then you need to wonder: what are the parents doing?”
Kaleon Rahan, who writes StarLifestyle's Worlds Of Wonder comic book column, reckons that Disney should also be willing to compromise when it comes to certain issues in their movies.
“From a parental perspective, Disney has to understand that their movies have to be kids-friendly in every aspect. Being a comic book fan, I would prefer they stick to the source material and take into consideration the sensitivities of audiences in certain countries,” he said. “That way, it will still be profitable for both Disney and the cinemas, and the fans win as well!”
