To date, there have been no Quentin Tarantino films released in Chinese theaters. However, on October 25, that was supposed to change as the National Film Administration in China gave the go-ahead for the filmmaker to show his latest, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” in the Middle Kingdom. However, according to new reports, that plan has been derailed as Bruce Lee’s daughter might have swayed the country into canceling the release.
According to THR, as of right now, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” won’t be screened in China. While no official reason has been listed, this is a shocking turn of events, as the Chinese government had already given the film the approval to be released. However, the report claims that Bruce Lee’s daughter reached out to the National Film Administration and pleaded with them to cancel the release due to the way the actor was shown in the film.
Shannon Lee has long been a critic of the new film, as she has constantly been talking to anyone who would listen about how Tarantino has brought shame to her father’s legacy for a variety of reasons, due to his inclusion in the new film. THR says that Shannon Lee reached out directly to the National Film Administration, urging them to ask for edits to the film that would allow for Bruce Lee’s image to remain untarnished. The report claims that the production company is working furiously to get approval once again, so that “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” can land that coveted release in China.
As it currently stands, ‘Once Upon a Time’ is roughly $60 million away from being Tarantino’s biggest film worldwide, beating “Django Unchained.” Obviously, a Chinese release would go a long way towards achieving that goal and making the new film the director’s most financially successful film at the box office. But that original release date of October 25 is looming and the clock is ticking on whether or not ‘Once Upon a Time’ will actually arrive in China.
