Adam McKay warns ‘radical’ Wicked could be banned by politicians in ‘3 to 5 years’
Don’t Look Up director Adam McKay has expressed concern that films like Wicked could face censorship in the US if current political trends continue.
In a series of messages via X on Monday, McKay described Wicked as “one of the most radical major Hollywood studio films ever made” and criticized the increasingly right-wing atmosphere in the US.
“Part 1 is exclusively about radicalization in the face of careerism, fascism, and propaganda,” McKay wrote, adding that its release is particularly important “now, when America has never been more right-wing and propagandized.”
The film, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, was recently briefly pulled from cinemas in Kuwait, reportedly due to its LGBTQ cast.
McKay acknowledged that Wicked: Part 2, scheduled for release on November 21, 2025, leans more mainstream, but doubled down on his concerns.
Responding to another
Don’t Look Up director Adam McKay has expressed concern that films like Wicked could face censorship in the US if current political trends continue; (seen in 2020)
In a series of messages via X on Monday, McKay described Wicked as “one of the most radical major Hollywood studio films ever made” and criticized the increasingly right-wing atmosphere in the US.
He continued, “It’s crazy how many people think that the possibility of movies, books and music being banned in the US in the near future is a ‘crazy’ idea.
“There’s a whole crowd that really has no idea what’s happening in the big picture.”
The filmmaker also compared Wicked to some of history’s most iconic films, including The Sound of Music, Citizen Kane and Bridge on the River Kwai, as well as modern hits like The Hunger Games, which he called “incredibly left-wing.” ‘
McKay’s statements come after the film also racked up Golden Globe nominations, including Best Musical/Comedy, as well as individual acting nods for Cynthia Erivo and Grande, solidifying its position as a top contender this awards season.
Kuwait removed Wicked from its cinema slate just one day before the film’s scheduled release on Thursday, December 5, sparking speculation about the reasons behind the decision.
While no official statement has been made, local reports suggest the removal may be related to the film’s LGBTQ+ cast, according to Variety.
This echoes past actions by Kuwait, which banned Barbie last year, citing the protection of “public ethics and social traditions.”
Lebanon also banned Barbie, claiming it “promoted homosexuality.”
“Part 1 is purely about radicalization in the face of careerism, fascism and propaganda,” McKay wrote, adding that its release is particularly important “now, when America has never been more right-wing and propagandized.”
The film, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, was recently briefly pulled from cinemas in Kuwait, reportedly due to its LGBTQ cast.
Responding to another
Although the reason is not officially known, local media have speculated that the film’s removal from theaters is due to its LGBTQ+ cast, according to Variety
If Wicked were to face similar scrutiny, the decision might seem confusing considering the film doesn’t feature any openly LGBTQ+ storylines.
However, Grande, who stars as Glinda, recently described her character as “a little closeted.”
Additionally, fans have often interpreted Glinda and Elphaba’s relationship as having homoerotic undertones, even though the characters are not explicitly queer.
Several cast members, including Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Bowen Yang and Marissa Bode, openly identify as queer, possibly adding to the controversy in more conservative markets.
Despite the ban in Kuwait, Wicked has been a huge success elsewhere.
The musical fantasy, also starring Ethan Slater and Jeff Goldblum, premiered in the US over Thanksgiving and shattered box office records.
To date, the film has grossed over $571 million worldwide.