'Beauty and the Beast' Gets Age Restriction in Russia Over Gay Character

Disney’s live-action remake “Beauty and the Beast” will receive an age restriction in Russia after director Bill Condon revealed an “exclusively gay moment” in the film.

According to Russian film service Kinopoisk, people under the age of 16 will not be able to go see the movie in theaters without being accompanied by an adult.

This comes three days after Vitaly Milonov, an MP of the United Russia party, asked the country’s culture minister to screen the film prior to its March 16 Russian release and to “take measures to totally ban” it if the film contains “elements of propaganda of homosexuality.”

Also Read: 'Beauty and the Beast' Faces Russian Ban Over Possible 'Gay Propaganda'

A Russian law enacted in 2013 prohibits the spread of “gay propaganda” to minors.

Culture minister Vladimir Medinsky noted, “As soon as we get a copy of the film with relevant paperwork for distribution, we will consider it according to the law.”

Last week, Condon told Attitude Magazine that “Beauty and the Beast” would feature an “exclusively gay moment” involving Josh Gad’s character, LeFou, the buddy of vain villain Gaston (Luke Evans).

Also Read: Alabama Theater Cancels Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast' Remake Due to Gay Characters

“LeFou is somebody who on one day wants to be Gaston and on another day wants to kiss Gaston,” Condon told the magazine. “He’s confused about what he wants. It’s somebody who’s just realizing that he has these feelings. And Josh makes something really subtle and delicious out of it. And that’s what has its payoff at the end, which I don’t want to give away. But it is a nice, exclusively gay moment in a Disney movie.”

In response, an Alabama movie theater decided to pull its scheduled screenings of Disney’s live-action “Beauty and the Beast” remake because of the film’s inclusion of a “homosexual character.”

The film starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens is set to open in the United States on March 17.

17 Movies We're Dying to See in 2017, From 'Beauty and the Beast' to 'Dunkirk'

Scan TheWrap's list of our most anticipated movies of the upcoming year
March 10: "Kong: Skull Island"

The new iteration of the ginormous ape boasts a stellar cast of Brie Larson, Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, John C. Reilly and Jason Mitchell. And the trailers have looked stunning (and terrifying) so far.

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March 17: "Beauty and the Beast"

Yes, Disney is producing a lot of live-action version of their original IP, but after the success of "The Jungle Book" last year, we can't wait for this one. Also, Emma Watson is the perfect Belle and, based on what we've seen from trailers, it will be magical.
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April 14: "The Fate of the Furious"

Who doesn't love a good ol' "Fast and the Furious" movie? However, this one will mark the first full movie without Paul Walker, who was included in the last film through CGI.
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May 3: "Logan"

"Logan" will be Hugh Jackman's final performance as the famous "X-Men" character, which many call the best character in the franchise. It is also a coveted role that has defined Jackman's career for 20 years. But "Logan" will offer a new twist on the franchise -- Logan is older, and his powers are fading.
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May 5: "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2"

The first "Guardians" film was well-received both critically and commercially, so it's about time Marvel fans are treated to a sequel. And Baby Groot has already cozied up to fans everywhere.
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May 26: "Baywatch"

Many are curious to see how a movie adaptation of the classic TV series will turn out -- but with a sexy cast and alums like David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson returning, we think it might be worth waiting for.
June 2: "Wonder Woman"

Come on, Gal Gadot in a movie that exemplifies female empowerment? We're in! The trailers have been epic so far, and DC fans desperately need a pick-me-up after many were disappointed with "Suicide Squad" and "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice."
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July 21: "Dunkirk"

Christopher Nolan's WWII drama has been on people's radar for a while now, and the film will draw in younger fans with its casting of Harry Styles. The movie boasts a great ensemble, comprised of Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, Cillian Murphy and James D'Arcy.
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July 28: "The Dark Tower"

Enough of Stephen King's novels have been adapted into film to know that "The Dark Tower" will be great. Idris Elba is set to play The Gunslinger, while Matthew McConaughey will star as The Man in Black.
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August 11: "Baby Driver"

Edgar Wright is a great writer/director, having directed "Shaun of the Dead" and written screenplays for movies like "Ant-Man." Starring Jon Hamm, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx and Ansel Elgort, "Baby Driver" looks like a solid action thriller.
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October 6: "Blade Runner 2049"

Fans of the original "Blade Runner" had to wait 35 years for a sequel, and it comes with the return of Harrison Ford and the addition of Ryan Gosling -- and it's set way in the future.
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November: "Bad Moms Christmas"

"Bad Moms" delivered one of the most hilarious scenes in a comedy this year (yes, we're talking about the grocery store one) so we're excited about the prospect of another movie featuring the Mila Kunis-Kathryn Hahn-Kristen Bell trifecta.
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Nov. 22: "Murder on the Orient Express"

An awesome cast including Daisy Ridley, Johnny Depp, Judi Dench and Michael Pena will star in the remake of the 1974 film, based on Agatha Christie's famous novel.
December 15: "Star Wars: Episode VIII"

Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) is set to return in the eighth movie, which will also mark Carrie Fisher's last performance as Princess Leia after her untimely death in December. And it's "Star Wars," so of course we're excited!
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Dec 25: "The Greatest Showman"

For fans of P.T. Barnum or anything circus-related, "The Greatest Showman" will be the biographical drama to look out for in 2017. And for fans already deprived of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine... well, he's in this movie!
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2017: "Mother"

"Black Swan" and "Requiem for a Dream" director Darren Aronofsky helms this movie with his girlfriend Jennifer Lawrence starring. It's about a couple whose tranquil life gets disrupted when guests arrive at their home uninvited.
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2017: "Paul Thomas Anderson Untitled Fashion Project"

Movie buffs love seeing any new project by Paul Thomas Anderson. The plot is unknown, but it's described as a drama in London's fashion world in the 1950s. Daniel Day-Lewis stars.
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