'The Dark Knight' Gets a No-Show in China Due to 'Cultural Sensitivities'

Regardless its box office success in the U.S., "The Dark Knight" won't be screened in cinemas in China, Warner Bros. Pictures have officially confirmed Wednesday, December 24. "Cultural sensitivities" has been cited as one of the reasons behind the issue.

In a statement the studio emailed to AFP, it was stated, "Based on a number of pre-release conditions that are being attached to 'The Dark Knight' as well as cultural sensitivities to some elements of the film, we have opted to forego a theatrical release of the film in China." Though so, there were no further details mentioned about the "cultural sensitivities."

Despite the sketchy details surrounding the no-show of "The Dark Knight" in theaters in China, there has been speculation that the cited "cultural sensitivities" has something to do with a scene that features "an action sequence shot in Hong Kong where Batman, played by Christian Bale, apprehends a Chinese money-launderer," AFP reported.

"The Dark Knight", in fact, isn't the first U.S. film that gets no green light to be screened in theaters in China. "Memoirs of a Geisha" and gay cowboy drama "Brokeback Mountain" were the other movies that were denied to be released in the country.