Sony struck a major blow against censorship after defying a Chinese government demand to delete the Statue Of Liberty from “Spiderman: No Way Home” ahead of its release. The bombshell rejection was revealed by “multiple sources,” per a recent article by Puck.
According to the piece, Chinese regulators had asked if the Japanese entertainment giant could “delete the Statue of Liberty from the ending of the film.” Sony unsurprisingly declined the demand given the prominence of Lady Liberty in the climax in which the three spidermen swing around the iconic symbol of freedom while battling supervillains, Puck reported.
Undaunted, China then inquired if the monument could be “minimized,” according to the report. Specifically, they’d wondered “if Sony could cut a few of the more patriotic shots of [Tom] Holland standing atop the crown, or dull the lighting so that Lady Liberty’s visage wasn’t so front-and-center,” per Puck.
Sony ultimately passed, which was a bold move considering they were likely forfeiting a massive payday by not acquiescing to censors’ requests, Puck reported. The two previous films in the Tom Holland “Spider-Man” franchise had grossed $116 million and $200 million at the Chinese box office.
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‘Fight Club’ ending changed in China with new fate for Tyler Durden However, this isn’t the first time Sony has defied Chinese censors. In 2019, the media conglomerate backed Quentin Tarantino’s refusal to omit the controversial Bruce Lee portrayal from “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood,” which prompted China to cancel the flick’s release.
Sony’s stalwart acts come as Hollywood studios face backlash for adulterating their movies so they don’t upset Chinese censors. In January, China snipped the iconic, destructive ending to “Fight Club” and replaced it with a milquetoast version where the government comes out on top.
China isn’t the only country to downplay symbols of American patriotism in movies. In 2011, Paramount released “Captain America: The First Avenger” under the title “The First Avenger” in Russia, South Korea, and Ukraine due to the countries’ supposed distaste of US foreign policy.
Don't go kissing Sony's ass yet. The only reason they rejected it, is because they realize a population under brutal martial law, probably aren't going to see any Hollywood blockbuster at the multiplex.
Otherwise, they would surely obliged had their working class with disposable income and the freedom or will to attend theaters and watch movies. Say the 2015 China economy.
https://nypost.com/2022/05/03/sony-rejects-chinas-censorship-request-in-spiderman/?source=patrick.net
Go Sony.