The Hollywood Reporter (and Marvel's Chinese social media accounts) have confirmed that Deadpool & Wolverine will get a day-and-date release in China on July 26.
This thumbs up from Beijing's film regulators marks the first time one of the Merc with the Mouth's movies will premiere in China at the same time as the U.S. and the rest of the world. When it comes to box office takings, this is going to be huge for the Marvel Studios threequel.
The days of superhero movies - or Hollywood fare in general - making hundreds of millions in the Middle Kingdom are largely over. However, this should still help Deadpool & Wolverine make serious bank.
2016's Deadpool was denied a release in China due to its graphic, R-Rated content. As for Deadpool 2, that only arrived in Chinese theaters after it had been reworked into the PG-13 version titled Once Upon a Deadpool.
The sequel earned $42 million, the vast majority of the re-release's $51 million haul.
According to the trade, "Disney hasn’t said publicly whether censorship changes will be made to Deadpool & Wolverine as part of a release agreement with China’s Film Bureau. But anyone familiar with both the Deadpool franchise and Chinese regulators’ usual M.O. will know that at least some tweaks can be expected to the movie’s graphic violence and maximally colorful language."
"Sources close to the film say no cuts will be made that alter 'the integrity of the storytelling' or the 'Deadpool spirit.'"
It was recently reported that the movie is eyeing a North American debut of $200 million - $239 million, a potentially record-breaking debut for an R-Rated movie.
Check out two Chinese posters for Deadpool & Wolverine below and stay tuned as we'd bet on a new trailer soon following.
Shawn Levy directs Deadpool & Wolverine, which stars Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, and Matthew Macfadyen. The movie is written by Ryan Reynolds & Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick & Zeb Wells & Shawn Levy.
The trades have confirmed that Jennifer Garner will reprise her role as Elektra, with Wesley Snipes, James Marsden, Famke Janssen, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Dafne Keen, Channing Tatum, Blake Lively and even singer Taylor Swift among those rumoured to make an appearance.
Kevin Feige, Reynolds, Levy and Lauren Shuler Donner produce with Louis D’Esposito, Wendy Jacobson, Mary McLaglen, Josh McLaglen, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, George Dewey, Simon Kinberg and Jonathon Komack Martin serving as executive producers.
Deadpool & Wolverine arrives in theaters on July 26.