CHINA has lifted its unofficial ban on Marvel movies and has set release dates for two of its major superhero films, ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ and ‘Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania’.
This is a welcome development for Marvel fans in China, as well as for the studios and investors behind these films.
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ is the sequel to the 2018 hit film ‘Black Panther’ which grossed US$1.3 billion (about RM5.62 billion) globally and US$105 million of which came from China.
The sequel is set to release on February 7 in China and explores the story of Shuri following the death of her brother, T’challa, King of Wakanda.
‘Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania’ is the third film in the Ant-Man franchise, which has been a hit in China with the first film grossing US$121 million and the second film US$66 million.
The sequel is set to release on February 17 in China, which is the same date it will be released in the US and UK. The film is directed by Peyton Reed and stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, and Michael Douglas.
These films will be the first Marvel movies to be screened in China since 2019's ‘Avengers: Endgame’ and ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’, both of which were extremely successful in the country.
‘Avengers: Endgame’ made US$632 million in China and ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ brought in US$198 million.
It’s not just Marvel movies that have been facing difficulties in getting released in China, as very few Hollywood movies have been granted permission to be screened in Chinese movie theatres during the pandemic era.
The first Disney film to break the ban was James Cameron’s ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’, which was given permission to be screened in China late in 2022. The science-fiction film has so far earned US$220 million in the country.
It is not entirely clear why recent films from Disney and other major studios have been denied release in China.
However, it is speculated that this could be a form of saber-rattling directed towards the United States during a period of increased tensions, particularly during political events such as the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party and the 20th National Congress, which took place in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
The lifting of the ban on Marvel movies in China is a positive sign for the entertainment industry and the relationship between the US and China. It also demonstrates the importance of the Chinese market for the success of Hollywood films. – The Vibes, January 18, 2023
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