Part 5/10:
Hollywood, and Disney specifically, has spent years trying to court the Chinese audience. From building theme parks like Shanghai Disney to modifying content to adhere to Chinese censorship standards, Hollywood has heavily pandered to the Chinese government’s narrative. Films like the Pirates of the Caribbean series were huge hits in China, but the story seems to be changing.
Recent efforts, such as editing or toning down content related to LGBTQ+ themes or political references (including the controversial Mulan remake), have not translated into sustained box office success. Disney’s Mulan was heavily censored to appease Chinese authorities, yet it still failed to resonate with Chinese audiences, underscoring that pandering can only go so far.