Corona | Coming Attractions

Variety reports that Warner Bros. will not release The Dark Knight in China. "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," the studio said in a press release. The movie was not even submitted to the Chinese film board for consideration.

The Chinese government has been very careful about what films get released in its land, often censoring material that its officials deem as culturally sensitive. Two possible reasons why Warners may not have chosen to try and get The Dark Knight into Chinese theaters: one, there's an action sequence that takes place in Hong Kong where Batman goes to apprehend a corrupt Chinese businessman; and two, the appearance of Edison Chen in the film, a popular Hong Kong pop star who had his star tarnished among his fanbase when photos of him engaged in sexual relations with several women turned up on Asian websites.