Today, Variety reported that Spider-Man: No Way Home released a Chinese poster, indicating that it may be the first Phase 4 Marvel film to release in China. Black Widow, Eternals, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings all failed for various reasons to gain China’s approval. Eternals, specifically, made news for failing to pass through China’s censorship, potentially due to director Chloe Zhao’s controversial statements about China. In an interview with Filmmaker Magazine in 2013, she spoke about her experiences in China. “It goes back to when I was a teenager in China, being in a place where there are lies everywhere”, stated Zhao. “You felt like you were never going to be able to get out.”
The importance of China in a Film’s Performance
For Spider-Man: No Way Home and Marvel’s Phase 4, securing a China release is very important. China is the world’s second-largest film market, and in many cases, can make or break a film’s box office performance. Indeed, China often is more important to a film than their domestic box office. Spiderman: Far From Home grossed $199 million in China upon its release. This shows that China is vital to a film’s overall worldwide gross. Though prospects look hopeful for the new Spider-Man film, China has not set an official release date.
Spider-Man: No Way Home’s China Release is Huge for Marvel
Spider-Man: No Way Home released its trailer in August and fans could not be more excited. With rumors that Toby McGuire and Andrew Garfield might return, fan expectations are at an all-time high. Marvel had a tough year, suffering both the pandemic and China’s refusal to release their movies. If Spider-Man: No Way Home can secure a release in China, it will be the most successful Marvel Phase 4 film thus far. Furthermore, this release will position the film to be the top-grossing movie of 2021. The film is currently set to release on December 17, 2021.
