'Deadpool' Denied Release in China 

'Deadpool' Denied Release in China Due to Graphic Violence

The Ryan Reynold's anti-superhero movie has been denied permission to screen in the world's second-largest movie market.

Fanboys worldwide are agog with anticipation for the upcoming release of Fox's R-rated 'anti-superhero' movie 

most rousing reception of any title previewed at Comic Con last year — but China's censors have taken a far less enthusiastic view of the film.

, which was produced by 20th Century Fox and based on the Marvel comic book character, has been denied permission to screen in China due to its violence, nudity and graphic language.

A source close to the decision at China Film Group tells 

Directed by Tim Miller and starring Ryan Reynolds as the most foul-mouthed and self-aware superhero — or, anti-hero — in the Marvel cinematic universe,

China's censorship authorities often work with the Hollywood studios to create cleaned-up special cuts of R-rated movies, but sources close to the

decision say it wasn't possible to excise the offending material without causing plot problems.

China has no ratings system, so the country's media regulator, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT), makes an up-down judgment on all film imports, approving or banning them for consumption by Chinese viewers of all ages.

Despite the film's more adult tone and content, many observers had predicted that

would find a way into the China market, thanks to the Marvel imprimatur. 

Marvel comic book movies have done huge business in China, which is now the world's second-largest theatrical market.

grossed $240 million last summer, while more offbeat titles like

grossed $96.4 million and $105.4 million, respectively.

co-stars T.J. Miller, Morena Baccarin and Brianna Hildebrand. It tells the origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson (Reynolds), who after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool.

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.

'Star Wars' Hunts for Han Solo: Disney Sees 2,500 Actors to Fill One Vest