The Marvel kung-fu blockbuster, currently doing solid numbers, is struggling to get a China release.
If reports are true, the news that Marvel’s Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings is facing an imminent ban before launching in China will come as a blow to Disney. The film has been doing well in other markets, looking like being the first movie to cross the $200m mark at the US box office since the beginning of the pandemic.
However, despite the film certainly celebrating aspects of Chinese culture, there are several reports circulating that comments being attributed to the film’s star Simu Lui that may land the film on the censorship list. Whilst nothing is confirmed yet, Disney would certainly see that decision as a blow considering the strong momentum the film has been displaying as it moves through the other global markets. With China’s colossal box office continuing to be a sizeable factor in maximising blockbuster grosses, a ban would not be welcome at all.
The film itself has garnered good reviews, ironically enough in China too, so Disney will be hoping that it can appease Chinese censors and get the film in front of audiences. Just to be clear, the comments in question are not contained within the film, but were made on social media. However, the strict Chinese censorship laws don’t make much of a distinction when it comes to alleged anti-Chinese sentiment.
More as we hear it.
Variety
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