By now both Marvel and DC must be used to their massive blockbusters not being approved for release in China, and it looks all but certain thatBlack Panther: Wakanda ForeverandBlack Adamwill follow suit due to very familiar motives.
Coincidentally, the firstBlack Pantherfilm did come out in China, though at the time the localized poster for it stirred up controversy and accusations of racism against Disney’s marketing for covering up Chadwick Boseman’s face. A lot has changed since then, withSpider-Man: Far From Homebeing the last Marvel movie to get the green light from Chinese censors, whereas Warner Bros. at least managed to getThe Batmancleared for a theatrical runin 2022, even if ended up underperforming.
RELATED: BBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever Review
In this opportunity, according toThe Hollywood Reporter, theBlack Panthersequel would fail to meet the cultural standards of the Chinese Communist Party. The reason for this is because,much likeThor: Love and ThunderandDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, it features a brief instance of LGBTQ representation, with Korg, Valkyrie, America Chavez, and her two moms all deemed censorable. InWakanda Forever, Dora Milaje members Ayo and Aneka are depicted as a couple in reference to their romantic relationship from the comics, with the two sharing a small display of affection during the movie.
As forBlack Adam, despite Dwayne Johnson’s powerhouse status in the Chinese market thanks to movies likeSkyscraper,Hobbs & Shawand otherFast and Furiousentries, his superhero debut would be banned not because of him, but for reasons pertaining tohis co-star Pierce Brosnan. Brosnan, who plays Doctor Fate in the film, is known for his embracement of Buddhism and as such, he is a long-time follower of the Dalai Lama. This is a big no-no in the eyes of Chinese authorities.
Retaliation againstBlack Adamwould mimic measures taken againstShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsorEternals, as both Simu Liu and Chloe Zhao have voiced their criticisms of the political system of the country they were born in. InEternals' case, the film also featured a gay couple, which continues to be frowned upon in China, meaning the movie never stood a chance, but at least that’s more enlightening thanSpider-Man: No Way Homebeing flagged for featuring too much Statue of Liberty.
It’s certainly not a good time to be a movie buff in China, as the country also prevented 2022’s biggest film,Top Gun: Maverick, from releasing due to its indirect recognition of Taiwan as a country. Considering China is willing tobutcher the family-friendlyMinions: The Rise of Gru, none of this should come as a surprise by now.
