"Black Panther" returns the Marvel Universe to China after a 4-year absence
After nearly 4 years of absence, Marvel films returned to cinemas in China, on Tuesday, with the start of the movie “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”.
Superhero films from the Marvel universe have been absent from Chinese cinemas since the release of "Spider-Man: Far From Home" in July 2019.
The Chinese authorities allow only a few dozen foreign films to be shown in local theaters annually.
China is a very important market for Marvel's massive productions that are very popular in the Asian country, and the first part of the "Black Panther" series grossed $105 million in China.
"I'm so excited," said a Chinese woman who was waiting for her turn to attend the premiere of the film, as part of a line that formed Monday in Shanghai.
She added, "I was using streaming sites to watch the previous two parts, and I hope that I will be able to watch more Marvel films in cinemas."
The end of the Marvel movie ban in China comes after the authorities finally lifted health restrictions related to Covid-19, which caused great damage to entertainment venues across the country.
The movie “Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania” will be shown in Chinese theaters on February 17, the same day that the work will be released in American theaters.
The Chinese authorities have never provided any explanation as to why they suddenly banned Marvel films in 2019.
