In another move that has surprised Hollywood, China has pulled the release of DreamWorks Animation’s international hit The Croods two weeks earlier than planned. The move is seen as a way for China to give its own films a chance at the box office there.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Croods was originally only supposed to run from April 20 to May 21, but its popularity only continued to grow during its original run. So, China approved an extended run that was set to end on June 21. But a source told THR that he was told verbally by a government official to stop scheduling screenings after 2 p.m. Thursday. The person said that it was similar to how Django Unchained was delayed in April.
The manager told THR that the notice was “not surprising,” adding, “You just have to look at the box office figures and you understand why.”
According to Deadline, the official reason was “contract issues,” but the film’s popularity could have made it hard for new animated films and a big-budget epic from China to do well financially.
The Croods is up to $63.7 million (391 million yuan) in China, compared to three Chinese animated films, which have only grossed $16.28 million (100 million yuan) combined.
The film grossed $180 million in the U.S. and $388 million in foreign markets. Chinese audiences will also get Man of Steel on June 20.