A kissing scene and some profanity have been cut from the Indian release of "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," leading to speculation that the edits may be related to a potential spoiler within the film. Bollywood Hungama reported the removal of an eight-second kiss and several swear words from the movie.
The nature of the excised scene has fueled fan theories. Some suggest the kiss indicates a reconciliation between Tom Holland's Peter Parker and Zendaya's MJ, despite the memory-altering spell from "Spider-Man: No Way Home" that caused everyone to forget Peter. Alternatively, the kiss might involve MJ and her new boyfriend, a character whose identity is currently a subject of much fan discussion and speculation.
This is not the first instance of India censoring movie content. Previously, James Gunn's "Superman" saw its aerial kissing scene removed for being deemed "overly sensual." "Oppenheimer" also faced censorship in India and the Middle East, with nude scenes being digitally altered to add clothing.
Such censorship decisions have often drawn criticism, with some viewers finding the reactions excessive, particularly in the "Superman" case. The precise reason for the "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" cuts remains unclear, but comparisons to the "Superman" censorship suggest the content may not be overtly explicit.
The "Spider-Man" franchise has a history of memorable romantic moments, including the iconic upside-down kiss between Spider-Man and Mary Jane Watson in Sam Raimi's 2002 film. It is yet to be seen if "Brand New Day" will feature a comparable moment.
"Spider-Man: Brand New Day" is scheduled for release this week, with early screenings commencing on Wednesday through an Amazon Prime promotion. The film's plot has been largely kept under wraps, with considerable mystery surrounding Sadie Sink's character. Despite widespread theories that Sink is portraying the mutant Jean Grey, Tom Holland has reportedly denied these claims. The full story will be revealed upon the film's theatrical debut.