It’s one of the most highly-anticipated movies of the year, but the Chinese won’t get to see it. According to THR Deadpool has been officially banned in China due to violence, nudity, and graphic language, which will mean bad things for its box-office numbers. China is the second largest theatrical market in the world for movies based on Marvel properties, but because of its crass humor and graphic violence the country’s government agency in control of previewing media has deemed it unworthy of screening.
The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) controls what media makes it into the country, and because China has no ratings The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) controls what media makes it into the country, and because China has no ratings sytem all movies must be appropriate for an all-ages audience. Because the hard R-rated film has such a large amount of offending material it couldn’t be censored without creating major plot problems they decided to simply ban it.
China is well known for censoring movies, comics, and other media, even from within their own borders, and it is a struggle creators deal with on a daily basis. The filmmakers knew they might get censored or banned, but thought the Marvel brand might get it through the border. Apparently it was just too much for the censors.
Deadpool hits theaters, but not in China, on February 12th.