‘Reagan’ film set to release director’s cut amid alleged online censorship

As the team behind the 2024 biopic "Reagan" promotes and prepares for the film’s re-release next month, it once again finds itself battling what its producer calls digital gatekeeping.

This time, producer Mark Joseph is taking issue with Google’s YouTube after ads promoting interviews with stars and others associated with the film were flagged under the platform's advertising policies.

The interviews are part of Joseph's podcast special series , "Making REAGAN." Since the film — which starred Dennis Quaid as the 40th president — was first released in theaters in August 2024, its creators have faced numerous obstacles, including restrictions imposed by Facebook early on related to efforts to boost posts and advertisements for the film.

Production on "Reagan" began in 2020.

NEW FOX NATION DOCUMENTARY CHRONICLES 20-YEAR JOURNEY BEHIND ‘REAGAN’ FILM In what Joseph describes as the latest censorship activity by YouTube, an ad promoting the first episode of the series, featuring rock legend Gene Simmons discussing family, his producing endeavors and his appreciation for America, was flagged by the platform for "advertisement for elections" and "shocking content," despite the noticeably tame conversation.

Simmons’ cover of "Stormy Weather" was his contribution to the "Reagan" movie.

"For 30 years, Simmons has been branded for outrageous content, and now he’s been deemed outrageous for talking?" Joseph told Fox News Digital.

Simmons, the co-founder, co-lead singer and bassist of the legendary rock band KISS, has long been famous for his black-and-white face paint, inordinately long tongue, fire-breathing and blood-spitting stunts and overall stage persona.

"The notion that a simple conversation with a rock legend like Gene Simmons is labeled ‘shocking content’ and ‘election advertising’ is ridiculous, as anyone who watches the episode can attest," Joseph added.

"These are normal conversations." Other episodes whose promotions were flagged for "election advertising" feature Kathie Lee Gifford, who co-wrote the tribute song "I Knew It Would Be You" for the film; actresses Amanda Righetti and Lesley-Anne Down; actors Dan Lauria, Elya Baskin and Trevor Donovan; author Arthur Laffer; singer Tanya Tucker; and screenwriter and filmmaker Howard Klausner.

REAGAN SHOOTER CALLS LINK TO WASHINGTON HOTEL ‘SPOOKY’ AFTER ALLEGED TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AT SAME SITE An Aug.

12 episode in which Joseph sits down with John Hinckley Jr.