Marvel comes back to China's theaters after a 4-year break

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
19 Jan 16:31

This may be one of the outcomes of Disney's announcement to bring back former CEO Bob Iger, who contributed to Disney's production of a number of record-setting films.

Posters in Chinese on the new Marvel movies that will make it into theaters.

A Disney representative has announced to Axios that Marvel movies are officially returning to Chinese theaters after a 4-year hiatus, as the last Marvel film that hit screens in China was “Spider-Man: Far from Home" in July 2019.

Marvel Studios announced on Tuesday that “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “Ant-Man: Quantumania” will be released in China beginning next month. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is due to be released on February 7 and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” will show in Chinese theaters on February 17 - the same day it is due to be screened in American cinemas.

Disney brings back former CEO

All four of Disney's 2021 Marvel blockbusters were blocked in China, and although the Chinese government did not give a justification, the block was the result of character portrayals or 'concerns' of filmmakers, directors, or actors, according to Axios.

For instance, "Thor: Love and Thunder," wasn't approved by China's censorship authorities after its release last summer, due to its embrace of the LGBTQ+ agenda, per Chinese authority statements.

Previously, Marvel films hit high values as the original "Black Panther" earned more than $105 million in China, and the first "Ant-Man" and "Ant-Man and the Wasp" earned $105 and $121 million, respectively.

This may be one of the outcomes of Disney's announcement to bring back former CEO Bob Iger to take the lead. Iger's leadership contributed to Disney's production of a number of record-setting films, including Marvel's Avengers: Endgame, the highest-grossing film of all time, as well as Frozen, Frozen 2, and Marvel's Black Panther.