Paramount's Top Gun: Maverick recently hit theaters worldwide and confirmed the studio has undone what was once a major and controversial change to Pete "Maverick" Mitchell's bomber jacket.
Audiences found the jacket now possesses the Taiwanese and Japanese flags, which were previously reported to have been removed, likely in an effort to appease China's state-censors. The flags were replaced in one of the film's earliest trailers screened at Comic-Con International in San Diego, with unidentifiable flags bearing vague resemblance to the originals appearing instead.
It should be noted that Tencent Pictures was previously listed as a financier of the long-delayed Top Gun sequel. While no changes have been reported concerning the Chinese company and Paramount's recently-released film, it should be noted the change comes amidst increased tension and an apparent split between Hollywood and China. Over the last two years, fewer Hollywood blockbusters have been allowed to play in Chinese theaters, though the official quota for foreign films remains at 34. The apparent souring of this relationship follows a larger cultural shift forced by the Chinese Communist Party-ruled government, which has cracked down on the consumption of entertainment within China and foreign influences.
Tony Scott's 1986 film, Top Gun, established that Maverick's jacked originally belong to his father. It possesses the Taiwanese and Japanese flags sat next to the United States flag, representing areas his father toured. The reversion to the unaltered jacket appears to have already angered Chinese netizens.
Top Gun: Maverick has not yet been given a release date in China and it is uncertain if the Paramount film will be allowed to screen there, especially after the return of the Taiwanese and Japanese flags. For comparison, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was recently banned from China, shortly after it came to light that one of its scenes briefly contained a newsrack belonging The Epoch Times, an anti-Chinese government newspaper.
Taiwan is not recognized as its own country, as many nations, including the United States, have thus far adhered to the One China Policy in order to maintain positive political and economic ties with China. The Chinese government asserts Taiwan is a territory of the People's Republic of China. However, since 1945, Taiwan has functioned as an independent country with its own culture and people.
Top Gun: Maverick releases in theaters on May 27.