‘Venom: The Last Dance’ Sets Theatrical Release in China Ahead of U.S.

As a cinephile with a penchant for blockbuster movies, I find it fascinating to observe the intricate dance between Hollywood and China’s film industries. The upcoming release of “Venom: The Last Dance” is a testament to this complex relationship, especially considering its strategic release date in China that precedes its North American debut.


Columbia Pictures’ movie “Venom: The Final Dance” has been given the green light for a theatrical premiere on October 23, 2024, in Chinese cinemas.

As a cinephile eagerly anticipating the global premiere, I’m delighted to share that the film’s debut is scheduled a few days early in various international cinemas, with North American audiences getting a sneak peek two days later.

In China, any foreign movies aiming for entry must comply with import regulations and censorship. Moreover, most revenue-sharing films are mandated to be distributed through a state-owned distribution company. It’s also important to note that these films may undergo edits to ensure they are suitable for audiences of all ages, as per the legal requirements in China.

Despite occasionally blocking Hollywood studio films from entering China, authorities aren’t taking many steps to stop the widespread piracy of popular titles. For instance, the movie “Alien: Romulus,” currently showing, had a simultaneous release and has grossed over $101 million in China, which is more than its earnings in North America.

In the final months of 2018, the first installment of the “Venom” trilogy made an impressive $262 million in China. This figure surpassed the $212 million earned by the same movie in North America, which accounted for about a third of the total global earnings for the film.

Originally scheduled for release in China, “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” (2021 sequel) had to be postponed due to the country’s ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.

Typically, a film like ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ would gain from the approximately six-week promotional period between getting the green light and its theater release. However, it remains uncertain if skipping ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ has lessened Chinese viewers’ enthusiasm for the series.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but notice a notable difference between the original “Venom” and its sequel, “Venom: The Last Dance.” The original movie had Tencent Pictures as one of its investors and producers, which is something the sequel doesn’t seem to have. For those who don’t know, Tencent is a massive name in the tech world, operating China’s biggest social media platform, largest video and music streaming services, and even the world’s top gaming company by revenue. This association was quite significant for the original “Venom,” giving it a unique edge that the sequel seems to be missing.

As per the synopsis provided by Columbia Pictures, “Venom: The Last Dance” sees Tom Hardy reprising his role as Venom, one of Marvel’s most intricate characters in the concluding film of the trilogy. In this installment, Eddie and Venom are on the run, pursued by forces from both their realms. With the noose tightening, they are compelled to make a heart-wrenching choice that will mark the end of Venom and Eddie’s partnership.

“Venom’s Final Rumba” stars Tom Hardy, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans, Peggy Lu, Alanna Ubach, and Stephen Graham. This movie is helmed by director Kelly Marcel who also penned the script, inspired by a story conceptualized by Hardy and Marcel. As part of the Marvel Comics universe, it is produced by Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, Amy Pascal, Kelly Marcel, Tom Hardy, and Hutch Parker. Joe Caracciolo Jr. serves as executive producer.

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2024-09-09 11:16