China’s Film Bureau has given the green light for the release of Disney/Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine on July 26, a highly anticipated movie globally. This marks the first time that the Merc with a Mouth will be making its way to Chinese theaters in sync with its release in the rest of the world.
While the details of the cuts made to the film for its Chinese release have not been explicitly stated, sources have mentioned that they are minimal and primarily related to violence, blood, gore, and language. Importantly, these alterations are said to have not impacted the overall integrity of the storytelling, keeping true to the authentic Deadpool spirit and maintaining the essence of the Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman-starrer.
It is important to note that Hollywood films have faced challenges in the Chinese box office in recent years. The highest-grossing studio film in 2024 in China was Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, followed by Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda 4. While the performance of Hollywood films in China may be uncertain, the release of Deadpool & Wolverine is part of a trend where five out of the last six Marvel films have made their way to Chinese audiences.
With six-week domestic tracking data showing a promising opening projection of $200M-$239M, Deadpool & Wolverine seems poised for success upon its release. This staggering figure underscores the excitement and anticipation surrounding the film’s arrival in theaters globally.
Overall, the approval of the release of Deadpool & Wolverine in China opens up new possibilities for the Marvel franchise and signals a positive step towards expanding its reach to audiences around the world. The minimal cuts made for the Chinese release, the film staying true to its original spirit, and the high opening box office projections all point towards a successful and exciting debut for Deadpool & Wolverine in China.