10 Hollywood Films Modified to Satisfy China’s Market

In 2012, China overtook Japan to become the second-largest market for Hollywood films. As the world’s most populous country, China has exhibited an increasing demand for American cinema, leading experts to predict that the People’s Republic would surpass North America by 2018 to become the largest box office in the world.

Hollywood studios have been quick to seize the immense profit potential offered by the Chinese market, even going so far as to modify their films to satisfy the exacting Chinese censors. While censorship of films in foreign markets is not new, filmmakers have never been more willing to alter their creations to comply with China’s loosely defined government regulations.

10. Iron Man 3

In a 2014 speech, China’s President Xi Jinping reaffirmed the Mao Zedong principle that Chinese art should 'serve politics.' The New York Times speculated that the additional four minutes in the Chinese version of Iron Man 3 were likely aimed at pacifying the public rather than simply making the film more appealing to Chinese audiences.

In the year prior to Marvel's release, a significant Chinese dairy company had to recall a batch of baby formula due to mercury contamination. This echoed a 2008 scandal that caused the deaths of six infants and made over 300,000 others ill.

Following the recall, Chinese parents began flocking to Hong Kong in search of formula, driven by concerns about the safety of local dairy products. In response to the sudden surge in demand, Hong Kong imposed a limit on the export of two tins of baby formula per person.

What does this have to do with Tony Stark, you ask? Well, in the Chinese version of *Iron Man 3*, a question is posed to the audience during the opening scenes: “What does Iron Man depend on to recharge his energy?” The answer, revealed by three famous Chinese actors, is Gu Li Duo, a widely available milk drink across mainland China. The extra scenes also depict a Chinese doctor preparing for surgery, quenching his thirst with the popular and affordable beverage.

The New York Times viewed the added scenes as a blatant effort to alleviate public concerns about the quality of Chinese milk. However, the extra footage was largely criticized by Chinese bloggers, who took issue with the Gu Li Duo endorsement, alongside a slew of other product placements for Chinese brands stuffed into the additional four minutes.

9. Pixels And World War Z

To tap into the vast Chinese market, filmmakers have become increasingly cautious about how they portray China in their films. In order to avoid angering the Chinese government, which is very sensitive to how the nation is depicted on-screen, movie studios have started to self-censor any references to China, even those that seem harmless.

For instance, in 2015, Sony executives removed scenes from *Pixels* that depicted the Great Wall of China being destroyed. Another scene that referenced China as a potential source of cyberattacks was also cut. Interestingly, the film had partial funding from China Film Group, the state-run organization that decides which foreign films make it to Chinese theaters. This meant *Pixels* was guaranteed a release in China, likely explaining Sony’s careful handling of the script.

Similarly, Universal Studio’s *World War Z*, a film about a zombie pandemic, also underwent script revisions in hopes of securing a much-desired release in China. A line that suggested the zombie outbreak began in China was removed from the final cut. However, the filmmakers' efforts were in vain, as *World War Z*, even with the edited dialogue, was still banned by Chinese censors and never made it to mainland China.

8. Django Unchained

Director Quentin Tarantino has had a turbulent relationship with China throughout his career. Prior to *Django Unchained*, none of his films had ever been officially released in the country.

Unlike in the United States, China doesn’t have a formal age-rating system. This means that every film is technically accessible to audiences of all ages. Given Tarantino’s reputation for graphic violence, it’s surprising that *Django Unchained* was even given a release date in China.

For this specific film, Tarantino opted to dial back the violence by reducing the intensity of the blood splatter effects and darkening the shade of red used for the blood. Despite extensive promotion, Django Unchained was pulled from Chinese cinemas on the day of its debut, with Chinese authorities citing 'technical issues.'

A month later, Django Unchained was finally released in China after the censors cut several scenes. The bloody finale was notably reduced with major cuts to ensure the film could pass. In the end, Tarantino's western homage was met with little enthusiasm from Chinese audiences, and Django Unchained flopped in China.

The Django Unchained incident wasn't the first time a Tarantino-related movie clashed with Chinese censors. In 2012, the director acted as 'presenter' for The Man with the Iron Fists, a martial arts film. Initially, the movie was granted permission to film in China after the script was reviewed (with producers ensuring they didn't cast an actor disapproved by the authorities). However, despite their cooperation, The Man with the Iron Fists was ultimately denied a release in China for reasons that remain unexplained.

7. RoboCop and The Hunger Games

In 2012, China expanded the number of foreign films allowed in theaters from 20 to 34, requiring that the additional 14 films be presented in either IMAX or 3-D. Since then, Hollywood studios have scrambled to convert 2-D films into 3-D specifically for the Chinese market.

In order to secure the release of their 2014 remake of RoboCop, Sony executives chose to remove certain scenes they deemed essential to the plot, in response to Chinese objections. One such scene showed the RoboCop character having his armor removed, exposing the few remaining parts of his body, which was deemed too disturbing for Chinese audiences. In a revealing email exchange, a Sony executive noted that too much money was at stake to insist on keeping the scene. As a result, Sony released a special 3-D version that was only shown in China.

Likewise, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay–Part I underwent a 3-D conversion for the Chinese market. For the final installment, Lionsgate released a 3-D version of Mockingjay–Part 2 in China and other foreign territories, while the film was only released in 2-D in the US. This choice lends support to the idea that the 3-D trend in America is fading, with Hollywood films now being made in 3-D primarily for international audiences.

6. Looper

One way to bypass China's '34-film' regulation is by securing co-production status. This arrangement involves a Chinese company sharing in the film's financing and actively participating in the production process. Achieving co-production status not only ensures a guaranteed release in China but also permits the film to be shown during the Chinese film calendar's 'blackout phase,' when foreign films are restricted, thus providing a competitive edge to local productions.

This approach was employed in the 2012 film Looper, which received 40 percent of its $60 million budget from the China-based media company DMG. However, the road to co-production status wasn’t straightforward. Filming locations were shifted from Paris to Shanghai after DMG became involved, and a prominent Chinese actress was cast in a major role to make the film feel more 'China-centric.'

Despite weeks of heavy promotion—an advantage not typically given to Western films—Looper still had not been granted official co-production status. In a blow to the film's aspirations, Zhang Peiming, the deputy bureau chief of the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television at the time, publicly criticized the film. Zhang argued that films making only superficial changes to meet the quota system were detrimental to Chinese box office revenues.

Just a week before Looper was set to release, Chinese authorities announced that the film had been granted 'assisted co-production status.' While the label was ambiguous, an extended cut featuring additional Chinese content was ultimately allowed to be screened in China.

5. The Karate Kid

As Looper demonstrated, receiving the 'co-production' label doesn’t automatically ensure a smooth path to Chinese cinemas. This was a lesson the 2010 remake of The Karate Kid came to understand the hard way.

Produced in collaboration with China Film Group, the movie debuted in China under the title The Kung Fu Kid. The distinction was made because kung fu is a Chinese martial art, while karate is associated with neighboring Japan.

Filmed entirely within China, The Karate Kid adhered to a China-approved script, yet the final product still encountered issues with Chinese censors. After the film was completed, its initial request for Chinese distribution was denied due to the portrayal of a Chinese character as the primary antagonist. This caused a delay in its release and led to the removal of 12 minutes from the original cut.

To be more precise, the Chinese version cut out scenes where Chinese children unfairly bully the American protagonist. Instead, the Chinese edit only shows instances where Jaden Smith's character appears to be the aggressor. Additionally, sequences depicting a rival kung fu teacher as the primary villain were also removed.

An American reviewer living in China observed that these modifications essentially shifted the narrative from a classic underdog story about triumph over oppressors to a tale about an enraged American who embarks on a journey of self-discovery, ultimately achieving peace through traditional Chinese martial arts.

4. Southpaw

If any film exemplifies the evolving connection between China and Hollywood, it would undoubtedly be the 2015 sports drama Southpaw. This movie holds the distinction of being the first American film fully funded by a Chinese company.

The Wanda Group, a major commercial property developer in China, provided the $25 million budget for the film’s production. The Weinstein Company, an American studio, handled the production and invested an additional $35 million for marketing purposes.

Not only did the Wanda Group serve as a financial backer, but it also played a significant role during every stage of the movie’s production. Weinstein president David Glasser noted that Wanda’s representatives were present on set and involved in production, post-production, and marketing. Glasser further mentioned that the Wanda Group aimed to understand the inner workings of Hollywood film production.

The Southpaw project seems to have served as a practice run for the Wanda Group, a company whose ambitions go far beyond merely funding Hollywood films. In early 2016, the conglomerate made headlines by purchasing the Hollywood studio Legendary for a staggering $ billion.

3. Transformers: Age Of Extinction

As an official co-production, Age of Extinction was created in collaboration with CCTV, China’s state broadcaster, and Jiaflix, a company known for brokering partnerships between Hollywood studios and Chinese investors.

CCTV is part of the influential State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television, which has led to speculation that Age of Extinction was made to reflect the values of the Chinese government. In the film, the Chinese government is portrayed as strong yet benevolent, while U.S. government officials appear indecisive and corrupt. One scene even shows an American official threatening the hero’s daughter at gunpoint to extract information.

As with most Michael Bay films, the story takes a backseat to explosions and heavy product placement. In one odd scene, Jack Reynor’s character is seen drinking a Chinese Red Bull in Texas. Other Chinese products make unscheduled appearances throughout the film.

However, the constant branding came with its own set of challenges. The Chongqing Wulong Karst Tourism Co., a company managing a popular tourist site in China, filed a lawsuit against the production company behind Age of Extinction for not displaying the logo of the tourist destination in the film. Nevertheless, the movie's success was undeniable, as it went on to become one of the highest-grossing films ever released in China.

2. 21 And Over

Released in 2013, '21 and Over' is a typical college comedy, where the protagonists dive into one chaotic and over-the-top situation after another during their drunken escapade. Despite its portrayal of youthful excess, it was surprising to see the film given a Chinese release, especially after major alterations to the movie’s original tone.

The American version of '21 and Over' portrays the character Chang as someone who challenges societal pressures and embraces individualism. In contrast, the Chinese adaptation includes new scenes where Chang, after leaving his university, succumbs to Western ideals, ultimately returning to China a reformed individual who learns to value his cultural roots.

To add to the oddities surrounding the film’s release, Relativity Media, the studio behind '21 and Over,' faced backlash from a human rights organization for their choice of filming location. The additional scenes shot in Linyi, a city in Shandong province, are located near the controversial village of Dongshigu.

Dongshigu is the birthplace of activist Chen Guangcheng, who became the focal point of international attention after being placed under house arrest following his release from prison. His imprisonment stemmed from his legal actions against the local government's brutal enforcement of China's one-child policy. Despite serving a sentence, Guangcheng was kept under house arrest without facing any new charges.

Journalists, both foreign and Chinese, who attempted to visit the village were often aggressively forced out by Communist Party enforcers. Human Rights Watch voiced its concerns, accusing Relativity Media of unintentionally aiding the propaganda efforts in Linyi by choosing it as a filming location. Critics argued that the city's portrayal as a cultural hub was misleading, given its active persecution of one of China’s most well-known human rights defenders.

Relativity Media issued a statement defending its opposition to human rights violations, while also affirming its continued cooperation with China. Fortunately, Chen Guangcheng escaped his house arrest in Dongshigu and eventually made his way to the United States with his family. There, he pursued legal studies and authored a memoir, offering sharp criticism of the Chinese government. However, his thoughts on teen comedies like '21 and Over' remain unrecorded.

1. Maleficent

Promoting a film in China can be more complicated than it seems, as demonstrated by Disney’s 'Maleficent.'

During a media event in Shanghai to promote 'Maleficent,' star Angelina Jolie was asked about her favorite Chinese director. She expressed admiration for Ang Lee's work but also noted that she was unsure whether Lee was considered Chinese, since he was born in Taiwan.

Tensions between Taiwan and China have been ongoing since 1949. After their defeat in the Chinese Civil War, the Nationalists established a separate government on Taiwan. Though relations have improved in recent years, China still views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out military action to reclaim the island.

Jolie’s seemingly innocent remark sparked a storm of criticism online in China, with many accusing her of suggesting Taiwan and China are distinct nations. One particularly fervent comment labeled Jolie a 'deranged Taiwan independence supporter.'

Fearing that the negative publicity might hurt 'Maleficent'’s performance at the Chinese box office, Disney staged a special publicity event where Angelina Jolie, her husband Brad Pitt, and their family shared a birthday cake with fans in Shanghai. The family also participated in a dim sum-making lesson. These additional promotional efforts helped 'Maleficent' secure an impressive $22 million in earnings. Not bad for a film starring a so-called 'deranged Taiwan independence supporter.'