Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Monster Hunter: Racist line of dialogue removed from new film after backlash in China

Film’s production company apologised for ‘inadvertent misunderstanding’

Jacob Stolworthy
Monday 07 December 2020 08:29 GMT
Comments
Monster Hunter trailer

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

New film Monster Hunter was pulled from release after racist scene caused a furore among audiences in China.

The film's distributor, Constantin Films, apologised "for a line of dialogue contained in an early scene" that offended viewers.

It occurred during a scene featuring Asian-American actor Jin Au-Yeung, who is also known as rapper MC Jin.

After watching the film, viewers immediately started writing about the moment online. They linked the featured line of dialogue spoken by the actor to a playground rhyme used to mock children of Asian descent.

This scene has now been edited in order to get the film back in cinemas.

Constantin Films said it has "listened to the concerns expressed by Chinese audiences and removed the line that has led to this inadvertent misunderstanding".

The statement continued: "There was absolutely no intent to discriminate, insult or otherwise offend anyone of Chinese heritage."

Monsters Hunter reunites Milla Jovovich with her Resident Evil director Paul WS Anderson. 

Tony Jaa, Ron Perlman and rapper TI also star.

The film is set to be released in the UK in 2021 and will be unveiled in the US on Christmas Day.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in