After releasing the first R-rated superhero film "Deadpool" in 2016, 20th Century Fox is once again in the limelight as its second R-rated superhero movie "Logan" reaped the weekend box office in China, beating Warner Bros. "The Lego Batman Movie."
Although the Hugh Jackman-starrer film was cut for 14 minutes by Beijing censors, the film still topped the Chinese box office, proving the influence of the less conventional R-rated superhero movie. According to Ent Group, "Logan," which opened in 95,000 screenings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, scored $48.9 million that includes previews. According to Variety, included within the reported amount was a $4.4 million from IMAX (388 screens).
The "X-Men" spinoff that stars Jackman as the beloved character Wolverine beats other movies and ranks among the major March openings. The grittily dramatic, dark violent "X-Men" spinoff has beaten "The Lego Batman Movie," which only earned $3.7 million for the weekend from 20, 000 screenings. "A Dog's Purpose," on the other hand, took the second place in Chinese box office earning $17.4 million over the weekend. "Resident Evil: The Final Chapter" took the next spot by earning $17.1 million over the weekend, which extends its cumulative earnings to $138 million.
Meanwhile, since most foreign movies undergone cuts from China's film bureau before being granted for a local release, "Logan" was also cut by a substantial amount (14 minutes) of nude and violent footages prior to its release in the country. Furthermore, according to Hollywood Reporter, aside from cut footages, the film also carried warnings, which is part of China's new Film Promotion Law that came into effect on March 1.
The warning states that the "X-Men" spinoff film would be "physically or psychologically inappropriate" for minors; however, the said advisory seems to boost "Logan's" viewership among youngsters, the same publication has learned.
Watch "X-Men" spinoff "Logan" HD trailer below: