The upcoming Barbie movie has found itself in hot water after Texas Senator Ted Cruz slammed the makers of the Margot Robbie-lead flick for ‘pushing Chinese propaganda’ amid news that the film contains scenes that show a map supporting China’s claims to territory in the South China Sea.
It’s no secret that China has had a large impact on Hollywood for years – with many production companies and directors making often-dramatic changes to their movies and shows to appease the country’s very strict censorship rules.
China has famously banned hundreds of films and shows from premiering in the country, after it deemed them as inappropriate. And many that did hit theaters were were only released after undergoing a series of alterations.
Some of the industry’s most well-known films, like Titanic, had to remove scenes that contained violence or nudity, while others were forced to minimize the use of Chinese villains if they wanted to be shown in Chinese cinemas, like the third Pirates of the Caribbean movie.
The upcoming Barbie movie has found itself in hot water after Texas Senator Ted Cruz slammed the makers of the Margot Robbie-lead flick for ‘pushing Chinese propaganda’
Vietnam has banned the upcoming Barbie movie from cinemas over scenes which feature a map showing China’s claims to territory in the South China Sea
China has had a large impact on Hollywood for years – with many production companies and directors making immense changes to their movies to appease the country’s censorship rules
As Barbie is accused of trying to ‘appease the Chinese Communist Party,’ FEMAIL went ahead and recapped all the times that movies were changed thanks to China
Popular Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody was only allowed to come out in China after it eliminated any suggestion or scene that depicted Freddie Mercury as gay.
Men in Black 3 had to alter a scene that showed aliens who had disguised themselves as Chinese workers getting beat up, while Mission Impossible III cut out a part that Chinese officials felt made their people seem ‘insensitive.’
Arguably the most controversial change that was made to a movie before its Chinese release was when Marvel added a slew of extra scenes to Iron Man 3, which allowed Chinese actors to get more screen time and even featured a subtle advertisement for a popular milk brand in the country that was desperate to clean up its image.
In some cases, the endings to popular movies were completely revamped for the Chinese versions.
As Barbie is accused of trying to ‘appease the Chinese Communist Party,’ FEMAIL reveals all the times that movies were changed thanks to the influence of China.
Titanic
When James Cameron’s Titanic was released in China, a major scene from the 1997 hit movie had to be completely revamped before it was allowed in Chinese theaters
The part of the flick that shows Leonardo DiCaprio’s character, Jack, drawing Kate Winslet’s character, Rose, as she lays naked on a couch (seen) was edited so her body could not be seen
While original scene left Kate’s breasts in full view of the audience, the Chinese version was changed so that it only showed her from the neck down
When James Cameron’s Titanic was released in China, a major scene from the 1997 hit movie had to be completely revamped before it was allowed in Chinese theaters.
The now-famous part of the flick that shows Leonardo DiCaprio’s character, Jack, drawing Kate Winslet’s character, Rose, as she lays naked on a couch was edited so that her body could not be seen.
While original scene left Kate’s breasts in full view of the audience, the Chinese version was changed so that it only showed her from the neck down.
Lord of War
The ending of the 2005 crime drama Lord of War was completely changed when it premiered in China
The movie originally ended with Nicolas Cage’s character being released from jail and returning to selling arms (seen), but in the Chinese version, he was still in prison
The ending of the 2005 crime drama Lord of War was completely changed when it premiered in China.
Starring Nicolas Cage, the movie originally ended with his character, Yuri Orlov, being released from jail and returning to selling arms.
But in the Chinese version of the movie, it instead concludes with him still in prison.
Mission Impossible III
The third installment to the Mission: Impossible series also received some serious edits when came out in China in 2006, resulting in six minutes in total being removed from the movie
One part that was altered originally showed Tom Cruise’s character, Ethan Hunt, running through the streets of Shanghai
He passed by some laundry that was hung up to dry, but Chinese government felt that the clothes should not be shown on screen and required it to be taken out
Another scene, which featured Ethan entering a room where a group of Chinese men were playing mahjong while his kidnapped wife is being held captive next door, was also removed
The third installment to the Mission: Impossible series also received some serious edits when came out in China in 2006.
Multiple scenes were changed, resulting in six minutes in total being removed from the movie.
The China Film Group said the scene made it appear that ‘common Chinese people were insensitive to a hostage situation,’ CBC reported
One part that was altered originally showed Tom Cruise’s character, Ethan Hunt, running through the streets of Shanghai.
He passed by some laundry that was hung up to dry, but Chinese government felt that the clothes should not be shown on screen and required it to be taken out.
Another scene, which featured Ethan entering a room where a group of Chinese men were playing mahjong while his kidnapped wife is being held captive next door, was also removed.
The China Film Group said the scene made it appear that ‘common Chinese people were insensitive to a hostage situation,’ CBC reported.
‘It was truly insulting,’ said an unnamed senior executive at China Film Group.
Babel
When the 2006 movie Babel came out in China, it was five minutes shorter than the American version – due to numerous cuts made to the film
At the time, it was reported that the flick, which stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, had been deemed ‘too sexually explicit’ for Chinese audiences
When the 2006 movie Babel came out in China, it was five minutes shorter than the American version – due to numerous cuts made to the film.
At the time, it was reported that the flick, which stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, had been deemed ‘too sexually explicit’ for Chinese audiences.
Many scenes that contained nudity and sex had to be taken out before it was considered appropriate.
Casino Royale
The James Bond movie Casino Royale was a big hit when it came out in 2006, but to get approval for a release in Chinese theaters, one of the lines had to be swapped
Instead of Judi Dench’s character, M, saying, ‘Christ, I miss the Cold War,’ she stated, ‘God, I miss the old times’
The James Bond movie Casino Royale was a big hit when it came out in 2006, but to get approval for a release in Chinese theaters, one of the lines had to be swapped.
Instead of Judi Dench’s character, M, saying, ‘Christ, I miss the Cold War,’ she stated, ‘God, I miss the old times.’
The actress recalled having to re-film the line during an interview with CTV, explaining, ‘I wasn’t allowed to say that in China. But [the new line] wasn’t quite the same thing.’
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
The third movie in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, At World’s End, underwent a series of edits before it was released in China in 2007
Many scenes that featured the character Captain Sao Feng, played by Chinese actor Chow Yun-fat, had to be taken out because it was said that he ‘vilified and defaced’ the nation
He went from having 20 minutes of screen time in the Johnny Depp-lead Disney film to around 10 minutes
The third movie in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, At World’s End, underwent a series of edits before it was released in China in 2007.
Many scenes that featured the character Captain Sao Feng, played by Chinese actor Chow Yun-fat, had to be taken out because it was said that he ‘vilified and defaced’ the nation, Screen Rant reported.
He went from having 20 minutes of screen time in the Johnny Depp-lead Disney film to around 10 minutes.
Men in Black 3
Numerous scenes from Men in Black 3, starring Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, and Josh Brolin, were taken out from the Chinese version of the 2012 film
Notably, the part where Will’s character, Agent J, and Tommy’s character, Agent K, took down a series of aliens that were disguised as Chinese restaurant workers was removed
Numerous scenes from Men in Black 3, starring Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, and Josh Brolin, were taken out from the Chinese version of the 2012 film.
Notably, the part where Will’s character, Agent J, and Tommy’s character, Agent K, took down a series of aliens that were disguised as Chinese restaurant workers was removed.
Also deleted was a scene that showed Agent J erasing the memories of a group of Chinese bystanders.
‘This could have been a hint on the use of internet censorship to maintain social stability,’ China’s Southern Daily newspaper reported at the time.
Skyfall
2013 James Bond movie Skyfall was another movie to fall victim to China’s severe censorship rules
The action-packed, Daniel Craig-lead flick had to take out a part that showed a Chinese security guard getting killed
2013 James Bond movie Skyfall was another movie to fall victim to China’s severe censorship rules.
The action-packed, Daniel Craig-lead flick had to take out a part that showed a Chinese security guard getting killed.
Another scene that was removed showed Bérénice Marlohe’s character, Sévérine, revealing that she previously worked as a child prostitute.
Cloud Atlas
The 2013 movie Cloud Atlas, which starred Tom Hanks and Halle Berry, underwent many changes before it was allowed to be shown in Chinese theaters
A lot of sexual content, including some gay kisses, were taken out, which resulted in the Chinese version of the movie being 38 minutes shorter than the American one
Directors Andy and Lana Wachowski and Tom Tykwer said that they didn’t have a part in the edits, but that they understood the ‘constraints’ of releasing a film in China
The 2013 movie Cloud Atlas, which starred Tom Hanks and Halle Berry, underwent many changes before it was allowed to be shown in Chinese theaters.
A lot of sexual content, including some gay kisses, were taken out, which resulted in the Chinese version of the movie being 38 minutes shorter than the American one.
Directors Andy and Lana Wachowski and Tom Tykwer said that they didn’t have a part in the edits, but that they understood the ‘constraints’ of releasing a film in China and left it up to Chinese production company Dreams of the Dragon Pictures.
Iron Man 3
When Iron Man 3 premiered in China in 2013, it didn’t have anything taken out, but instead, some scenes were added to the Marvel movie
The Chinese version of the superhero film, which stars Robert Downy Jr., had a few extra parts featuring well-known Chinese actors Xueqi Wang and Bingbing Fan
They also added one scene that showed Xueqi’s character, Dr. Wu, drinking Gu Li Duo – a popular milk company based in China
When Iron Man 3 premiered in China in 2013, it didn’t have anything taken out, but instead, some scenes were added to the Marvel movie.
The Chinese version of the superhero film, which stars Robert Downy Jr., had a few extra parts featuring well-known Chinese actors Xueqi Wang and Bingbing Fan.
While they were also in the American version, their scenes were extended in the Chinese one, resulting in the movie being four minutes longer in total.
They also added one scene that showed Xueqi’s character, Dr. Wu, drinking Gu Li Duo – a popular milk company based in China.
The New York Times reported that the brand had been in hot water previously for having to recall baby formula tainted with mercury, and that the Chinese government was tying to help fix its image.
Django Unchained
After Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained premiered in Chinese theaters in 2013, it was immediately removed one day later
It was then re-released a month afterwards, but many of the violent scenes had been removed, including the now-infamous bloody shootout
After Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained premiered in Chinese theaters in 2013, it was immediately removed one day later.
It was then re-released a month afterwards, but many of the violent scenes had been removed.
The now-infamous bloody shootout was taken out, as well as the scene that showed Jamie Foxx’s character Django Freeman being tortured. It was three minutes shorter than the American version.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
Tim Burton’s 2016 fantasy film Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children also received an alteration when it came out in China
According to reports, one part (seen above) was considered too frightening for Chinese audiences
A scene which saw a series of monsters eating some human eyeballs was removed from the Chinese version of the flick
Tim Burton’s 2016 fantasy film Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children also received an alteration when it came out in China.
According to reports, one part was considered too frightening for Chinese audiences.
A scene which saw a series of monsters eating some human eyeballs was removed from the Chinese version of the flick, which starred Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, and Chris O’Dowd.
Alien: Covenant
Chinese censors cut six minutes from Ridley Scott’s 2017 sci-fi movie Alien: Covenant when they allowed it in theaters
Many scenes showing the horrifying and bloody aliens were removed – leaving only two minutes of screen time for the creatures
But what sparked the most attention was that the gay kiss between Michael Fassbender’s characters, David 8 and Walter, was taken out
Chinese censors cut six minutes from Ridley Scott’s 2017 sci-fi movie Alien: Covenant when they allowed it in theaters.
Many scenes showing the horrifying and bloody aliens were removed – leaving only two minutes of screen time for the creatures.
But what sparked the most attention was that the gay kiss between Michael Fassbender’s characters, David 8 and Walter, was taken out.
Bohemian Rhapsody
The 2018 biographical musical drama movie that focused on the life of Queen singer Freddie Mercury was only allowed to be released in China after a series of edits were made
Several moments were taken out of the film, which starred Rami Malek, including two scenes that showed him kissing another guy
The part where Freddie comes out to his girlfriend was also removed, as well as the scene in which he and his bandmates dress in women’s clothing for a performance
The 2018 biographical musical drama movie that focused on the life of Queen singer Freddie Mercury was only allowed to be released in China after a series of edits were made.
Several moments were taken out of the film, which starred Rami Malek, including two scenes that showed him kissing another guy.
The part where Freddie comes out to his girlfriend was also removed, as well as the scene in which he and his bandmates dress in women’s clothing for a performance.
Top Gun: Maverick
When the trailer to Top Gun: Maverick dropped in 2019, many were quick to notice that Tom Cruise’s character, Captain Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell’s signature jacket was missing something
Patches of Japanese and Taiwanese flags had been removed from his ensemble – a move that was said to appease China. His jacket is seen left with the flags and right without them
When the trailer to Top Gun: Maverick dropped in 2019, many were quick to notice that Tom Cruise’s character, Captain Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell’s signature jacket was missing something.
It turns out, patches of Japanese and Taiwanese flags had been removed from his well-known leather ensemble – a move that was said to have been made to appease China.
‘China frequently boycotts and retaliates against any organization that recognizes Taiwan or refers to it as a country,’ Business Insider reported at the time.
Despite being removed in the trailer, when the movie actually premiered in 2022, the flags were back on the jacket.
Fight Club
Last year, fans of the beloved 1999 movie Fight Club were left outraged when they noticed that the ending to the Brad Pitt-lead movie had been changed on Chinese streaming services
Instead of showing the violent ending, a message simply pops on the screen and alerts the audience about what happened
Last year, fans of the beloved 1999 movie Fight Club were left outraged when they noticed that the ending to the Brad Pitt-lead movie had been changed drastically on Chinese streaming services.
Instead of showing the violent ending, which featured Brad’s character, Tyler Durden, successfully completing his plan to blow up a series of skyscrapers, a message simply pops on the screen and alerts the audience about what happened.
But in their version, Tyler doesn’t go through with his plan, which makes for a very different wrap up to the story.
‘Through the clue provided by Tyler, the police rapidly figured out the whole plan and arrested all criminals, successfully preventing the bomb from exploding,’ the message reads.
Chuck Palahniuk, who wrote the original novel that inspired the movie, was unamused by the change.
He tweeted afterwards, ‘This is SUPER wonderful. Everyone gets a happy ending in China.’
After facing immense backlash, however, the original ending was restored weeks later.
Minions: Rise of Gru
The ending to the recent Despicable Me spinoff movie, Minions: Rise of Gru, was also altered when it was released in China last year
The Dreamworks animated film originally concluded with Gru and his co-conspirator Wild Knuckles escaping together after Wild Knuckles faked his death to avoid being captured
However, in the version that premiered in China, a series of images and subtitles flashed across the scene that said Wild Knuckles had been caught and locked up for 20 years
As for Gru, it said he gave up on being a villain and ‘became one of the good guys’
The ending to the recent Despicable Me spinoff movie, Minions: Rise of Gru, was also altered when it was released in China last year.
The Dreamworks animated film originally concluded with Gru and his co-conspirator Wild Knuckles escaping together after Wild Knuckles faked his death to avoid being captured.
However, in the version that premiered in China, a series of images and subtitles flashed across the scene that said Wild Knuckles had been caught and locked up for 20 years.
As for Gru, it said he gave up on being a villain and ‘became one of the good guys.’
The movie is supposed to act as a prequel for the Despicable Me movies, which depicts Gru as one of the most well known villains on the planet, so the change makes no sense in the overall plotline.
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