It looks like Chinese censors are excited about the MCU’s Phase Five, as Marvel Studios' official social media handle in the country has confirmed thatAnt-Man and the Wasp: QuantumaniaandBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverwill be released in China next month.
The decision to releaseAnt-Man 3andBlack Panther 2represents a drastic shift in policy on behalf of Chinese authorities, as for the past 3 years, Marvel films suffered an apparent shadow ban in the mainland due to a multitude ofreasons ranging from depictions of LGBTQ scenesin movies to statements made by the films’ stars or their creators. 2019’sSpider-Man: Far From Homewas the last MCU flick to get a theatrical release in China, with every film sinceBlack Widowmissing out, on top of Disney Plus not being available in the country.
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News ofBlack Panther 2andAnt-Man 3landing in China was shared by Marvel Studios’Weiboaccount (China’s version of Twitter), with the announcement specifying that the two movies will come out on February 7 and 17, respectively. Not only that, inAnt-Man 3’s case, the release date means that the film will premiere on the same date as most parts of the world,just likeAvatar: The Way of Water. This will bode well forAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’sbox office prospects.
Chinese Marvel fans were quick to express their excitement over the MCU finally coming back to their home nation. Some even expressed disbelief until they had bought tickets. AlthoughBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverwill have been on Disney Plus by then and thus also available through illegal downloads, the extra push could bolster the film’s current $835.4 million box office haul.
Although it’s anyone’s guess why Chinese officials have changed their mind about the MCU, it will be interesting to see if Black Panther:Wakanda Forever’s slight nod at a romantic relationship between Ayo and Aneka will be kept in the Chinese cut, or even how Marvel Studios will handle marketing in China given the previous controversies regarding 2018’sBlack Panther.Disney has surely missed the Chinese box office marketover the past three years, as the lower box office numbers have affected the company’s balance sheet.
It’s a mystery if Disney’s change in management now thatBob Iger is back as CEOhad anything to do with China allowing Marvel movies back in the country, but even more so is what will happen when MCU films feature topics or people deemed unwelcome by the Chinese government.
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumaniais scheduled for release on May 12, 2025.
MORE:Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Is Strongest When It Doesn’t Connect To The Wider MCU
