Headlines from China: China Release of ‘Air Strike’ Cancelled after Fan Bingbing’s Tax Evasion Charge

A Poster from Air Strike

China Release of ‘Air Strike’ Cancelled after Fan Bingbing’s Tax Evasion Charge

It was announced today that the China release of upcoming war drama Air Strike (aka Unbreakable Spirit) had been cancelled. The film is directed by Chinese filmmaker Xiao Feng and features an ensemble cast including Bruce Willis, Liu Ye, Nicolas Tse and Fan Bingbing. Since the launch of the project, the film has been involved in a series of scandals. The film was originally set for an August release, but was rescheduled to October 26 after Fan Bingbing was accused of tax evasion. Director Xiao Feng expresses his feelings towards the cancellation on Chinese social media Weibo, saying that it’s time to let it go. Read more on Sina

Did Chinese Censors Cut ‘Venom’? 

Sony and Marvel’s superhero film Venom finally landed a lucrative November 9 China release. Because of the frightening appearance of the Venom character as well as the violent scenes in the film, many people wonder if Chinese censors cut any parts of the film before approving the release. Now, the answer is revealed. According to sources familiar with the matter, Chinese moviegoers can be reassured that the version to be released in China will be exactly the same as the film’s U.S. version. Since the film was released in North America on October 5, it has become a box office hit. In China, the film is expected to be promoted extensively by Tencent, as the Chinese internet giant bought a 25 percent stake in the film. Read more on Mtime

Disney’s ‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms’ Set for November 2 China Release

It’s announced today that Disney’s fantasy drama film The Nutcracker and the Four Realms had been scheduled to release in Chinese theaters on November 2. This live action film is a part of Disney’s efforts in remaking and reimagining iconic fairy-tale stories in recent years. The film is directed by Lasse Hallstrom and Joe Johnston and stars Keira Knightley, Mackenzie Foy and Helen Mirren. Based on German author E.T.A. Hoffmann’s The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, the film is about a young girl who finds a Nutcracker doll among the family’s gifts and is charged by her parents to take special care of it. Read more on Mtime