Variety reports that the new sci-fi comedy may be unable to secure distribution in the key Chinese market due to the conservative nation’s sanctions against pop culture that promotes “cults or superstitious beliefs”.
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The remake of the popular 1980s movie series is unlikely to get past the censors in China because of its supernatural themes, according to several outlets including Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. Many guessed that Sony made the adjustment in hopes of finessing the film into China’s strictly regulative but increasingly lucrative theatrical market.
With the Ghostbusters reboot not being released in China its fate is in the hands of western audiences, most of which will have witnessed some of the needless social politics surrounding this movie. Among the films that have fallen foul of the ruling in the past is Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and Crimson Peak, Guillermo del Toro’s gothic horror starring Tom Hiddleston.
Sources close to China Film Co. however, indicate a different reason for the banning of Ghostbusters. A loophole does exist, whereby if Hollywood studios work with their Chinese counterparts in the Chinese movie industry, the movie is recognized by S.A.R.F.T.as a co-production and not a foreign movie.
Ghostbusters may be poised to become a blockbuster hit around the world, but audiences in China are likely to miss out on seeing the film.
With opinion having garnered mixed to negative reviews thus far following the reboot’s release in the United Kingdom earlier this week, supporters of the movie may have been hoping that the Chinese audiences would boost box office takings, as was the case with Terminator Genisys.
Feig’s comedy is expected to face a tough time at the USA box office this week, with analysts expecting it to take a maximum of $50m (from a reported $144m budget) in its opening weekend.
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The first trailer was a real stinker, but film fans are much happier with The Ghostbusters worldwide trailer.
