China is such a huge movie market to which Hollywood moviemakers love to distribute their films. However, not all popular Movies are aired in this country and not all famous Hollywood actors are welcomed here. You might not know that China has imposed a temporary (or permanent) ban on leading Hollywood stars, including Brad Pitt, Harrison Ford, and Richard Gere.
In recent years, China has tightened censorship of American films, expanding it from cutting a few scenes to banning an entire film. Many films resort to changing the scripts to suit the needs of “the dragon”. China's current policy allows for a total of 34 Hollywood films to be released on the mainland each year. It is such a competition for Hollywood moviemakers.
Below are 10 movies in which Hollywood was forced to change for China. The highest-grossing films like Doctor Strange (2016) and Pixels (2015) are no exception. Please scroll down to check them out!
Noticeably, The Mandarin, a Chinese-born villain, and Iron Man’s legendary nemesis, was changed to a man who is certainly not Chinese at all and not really evil at all. British actor Ben Kingsley played that character.
In recent years, China has tightened censorship of American films, expanding it from cutting a few scenes to banning an entire film. Many films resort to changing the scripts to suit the needs of “the dragon”. China's current policy allows for a total of 34 Hollywood films to be released on the mainland each year. It is such a competition for Hollywood moviemakers.
Below are 10 movies in which Hollywood was forced to change for China. The highest-grossing films like Doctor Strange (2016) and Pixels (2015) are no exception. Please scroll down to check them out!
#1 Doctor Strange (2016)
Source: Marvel
British actress Tilda Swinton was cast in the role of the Ancient One to avoid potentially offending China's government and moviegoers.#2 Star Trek Beyond (2016)
Source: Paramount Pictures
Taiwanese helmer Justin Lin was brought in to replace director J.J. Abrams for Star Trek Beyond. Lin, who had directed four installments in the Fast and Furious franchise, admitted during Beyond's Asian press tour that he kept Chinese audiences in mind while making the movie.#3 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014)
Source: Getty Images
Part one of the franchise finale was converted to 3D, especially for China. And you can guess, it easily bested the previous films at the box office.#4 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Source: IMDb
Donnie Yen, China's second biggest action star after Jackie Chan, was hired in genuine supporting roles in an effort to drum up interest in the spinoff.#5 Pixels (2015)
Source: Getty Images
The studio cut off an attack on the Great Wall, a line of dialogue mentioning a "Communist conspiracy" and other politically sensitive plot points.#6 World War Z (2013)
Source: Getty Images
The movie producers dropped the reference to China and cite a different country as a possible source of where the virus originated.#7 Looper (2012)
Source: IMDb
One-third of the financing, casting, and shooting was done in China and Chinese actress Summer Qing was cast as Bruce Willis' wife.#8 Iron Man 3 (2013)
Source: Sneakpeek
Iron Man 3 movie producers filmed a few scenes with Chinese actors, specifically for the Chinese release. The Chinese cinema version opened with the question "What does Iron Man rely on to revitalize his energy?"Noticeably, The Mandarin, a Chinese-born villain, and Iron Man’s legendary nemesis, was changed to a man who is certainly not Chinese at all and not really evil at all. British actor Ben Kingsley played that character.
#9 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)
Source: Getty Images
Chow Yun-Fat's role in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End was reduced. The pirate lord of the South China Sea appears in traditional Qing dynasty garb with a shiny bald head and long, dirty fingernails. This was an offensive stereotype in China.#10 Casino Royale (2006)
Source: Youtube
Craig's co-star Dame Judi Dench had to re-record some dialogue about the Cold War that the studio was worried might get the Chinese backs up.