‘Thor 4’ Likely to be Seventh Consecutive MCU Film Denied a China Release
There is no understating the tremendous success- both critically and financially- that the MCU has been for Marvel Studios, but a recent trend that seems to limit their potential reach is set to continue, as Thor 4 is likely to be the seventh consecutive MCU film denied a China release.
The reach and impact of the Marvel Universe are quite unlike anything that the film industry has ever seen, as the massive interconnected film franchise has engrained itself into the very DNA of our society’s popular culture on a level that can only be compared to something like Star Wars.
Source: Marvel Studios
It is an ever-expanding pantheon of heroes and villains that have now birthed 29 films spanning well over a decade of development and fine-tuning, and by nearly every quantifiable metric it is an endeavor that has been one of the most successful in the industries history.
A financial and critical success with a consistency that is almost difficult to believe, the MCU has been the subject of little controversy since its arrival in 2008, but it recently has found itself the subject of some detractors that have done their best to limit its reach.
Source: Marvel Studios
It appears as though one avenue that has been a constant difficulty for Marvel Studios remains a conflicted relationship that shows no signs of healing, as the recently debuted Thor: Love and Thunder are likely to be the seventh consecutive MCU film denied a China release.
The fact was brought to life by The Hollywood Reporter, who- in writing an update on China’s current box office- stated, “China’s film regulators haven’t granted Taika Waititi’s Thor: Love and Thunder a release date yet- and its beginning to look as if they never will.”
Marvel Studios
The report continued, “Souces at two major cinema chains in China tell The Hollywood Reporter that they expect Thor 4 will face the same fate as Pixar’s Lightyear; denied censorship approval because of feeling moments in the movie involving LGBTQ characters.”
It is a development that has certainly hurt the MCU’s potential earnings, but it is not necessarily a surprise; with the MCU’s commitment to inclusion and representation at the forefront of their efforts, we can’t imagine they would ever compromise for the sake of the Chinese censorship approval.
Source: Marvel Studios
