Vue, one of the world’s largest cinema operators, has put plans to open dozens of film theatres in Saudi Arabia on hold as a result of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
The deal was seen as groundbreaking, coming just months after the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, lifted a 35-year ban on cinemas in Saudi Arabia.
In December, the Saudi government said it wanted to open 300 cinemas with more than 2,000 screens by 2030.
Saudi Arabia has estimated that developing a cinema industry could bring in more than 90 billion riyals (£18m) to the economy and create 30,000 jobs.