The Da Vinci Code whirlwind ends early in China
Following similar bans in other Asian countries, China pulls the blockbuster out of its theaters.
Despite its tremendous box-office success, the Chinese government has decided to stop screenings of "The Da Vinci Code" starting today, said Sony Pictures.
Although no official announcement has been made regarding the decision, the wave of protests from Chinese Catholics may have been a factor for the film's fate.
"The government wants to show respect to their will and doesn't want to cause trouble because of one movie," said Yu Guoming, a Renmin University of China professor. "The Chinese government has always been very cautious on ethnic and religious issues."
"What can we say? We are surprised and disappointed about it. The good news is that we did a substantial amount of business in China," said Sony's worldwide marketing and distribution head Jeff Blake.
Even with the pulling of the film, however, "The Da Vinci Code" has made $13 million at the Chinese box office after opening three weeks ago over 400 screens. It was the biggest opening of a foreign film in China.
