Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” was scheduled to be released in China on Oct. 25, but now it’s looking like that won’t happen, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The release of the Oscar contender has been “indefinitely put on hold,” and no official explanation has been given as to why, says The Hollywood Reporter.
However, an exhibitor source told Variety that the film’s release was canceled after a complaint from Shannon Lee, the daughter of the late martial artist, Bruce Lee.
A scene in the film depicts a young Bruce Lee as a boastful character who is easily defeated in a fight by Brad Pitt’s character, according to Variety.
“As long as Quentin can make some cuts, it will be released as planned,” the source told Variety.
But Tarantino does not intend to recut the film, Variety reported on Friday, meaning the film likely will not be shown in China.
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” is not the only Tarantino film to face difficulties in China, according to Fox News. “Django Unchained” was pulled from theaters just minutes after the film began its premiere in 2012.
“Django Unchained” was rereleased a few months later, with the film’s violent scenes heavily edited, but a pirated version of the unedited film was already circulating, Fox reported.
The controversy over “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” comes in the wake of another recent controversy, between China and the NBA, which has been reported on by the Deseret News.