'Rocketman' Gay Scenes Removed in Russia Without Notice

In what can’t exactly be described as a surprising move, Russia has apparently censored all gay sex and kissing scenes from the country’s upcoming release of the Elton John biopic Rocketman.

The film won’t have an official release in Russia until June 6th, but an early screening was hosted last week. Afterwards, journalists who had seen both versions noted the discrepencies.

“All scenes with kissing, sex and oral sex between men have been cut out,” Russian film critic Anton Dolin shared on Facebook.

He also said that the final frame of the film, a photograph of Elton John with his husband David Furnish noting their relationship, was removed.

Russia has become all too well known for its laws against “homosexual propaganda,” which seems to be able to be used to cover just about anything including the visibility of LGBTQ people and relationships in media.

Actor Taron Egerton, who portrays the singer in Rocketman, slammed the decision to cut scenes that are so relevant to Sir Elton’s life.

“I am crestfallen that the decision was made to censor our movie for the Russian market,” Egerton said on Instagram. “I in no way condone this decision and feel disappointed I wasn’t made aware and given the chance to fight this move. Love is love.”

The official Twitter for Elton John was equally critical, confirming that the singer also had no idea this was happening until finding out directly from the people who saw the film and reported back.

“That the local distributor has found it necessary to edit out certain scenes, denying the audience the opportunity to see the film as it was intended is a sad reflection of the divided world we still live in and how it can still be so cruelly unaccepting of the love between two people.”

Paramount Pictures told Entertainment Weekly that they stand by Rocketman as it was originally intended to be released around the world, but that their hands are tied when it comes to complying with local laws.