Hollywood's relationship with China has become a subject of great focus in recent years, partly owing to its increasingly sour nature. IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond recently suggested the backlash to the common attitude studios had when it came to China is part of the reason why blockbuster films may have an ever more difficult time getting into Chinese theaters.
Speaking at a press conference, Gelfond acknowledged the notably difficult experience Hollywood studios had in 2021 when it came to the Chinese market, as only a handful of films made it into the nation's theaters. He then commented, "The Chinese had their own backlog of unreleased films so there weren’t going to let in a lot of Marvel films and other films."
He then expressed his own observations on what Hollywood can expect going forward in light of the backlash films such as Doctor Strange, The Meg and more have faced regarding the attempts to appeal to China. "This year, they’ve let The Batman in. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, Ambulance. Jurassic World, Mozart and a number of others local films have been dated." He said, before mentioning the political tension between China and the U.S, which adds to the issue. Finally, Gelfond said, "The studios are under pressure not to be too accommodating, because there has been backlash – [as in] 'Are they making the film for China, or for the world?' So there will be less of those kind of movies let in."
While Chinese authorities have ensured locally produced films with approved messages, characters and themes have dominated cinema in the Middle Kingdom, there are signs the country also sees an issue with the approach that it took in 2021, during the Chinese Communist Party's centennial.
Ahead of the Cannes Film Festival, the China Film Co-Production Corporation hinted there will be an attempt to rebuild the country's relationship with Hollywood and international film producers. Its efforts include participating in international film festivals. The authority did not disclose more information about the kinds of changes the international community can expect to see.
Recent months have shown major films continue to be kept out of Chinese theaters for any number of minor reasons, though China's authorities seldom provide an official reason for a decision to ban. Spider-Man: No Way Home was never given a release date and it was only recently reported that Sony refused to minimize the Statue of Liberty in the final fight when Chinese censors requested the change. More recently, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was officially banned after it was found one scene briefly included shots of a newsrack belonging to an anti-Chinese Communist Party newspaper.
According to a number of reports, the current attitude among studio execs is Hollywood films should no longer go out of their way to suit the guidelines set by Chinese censors. Instead, where once creative decision were made specifically for Chinese authorities, Hollywood execs have now adopted a more passive approach.
Source: Deadline