Suicide Squad May Not Be Released in World's Second Biggest Market

China is of increasing importance to Hollywood studios, with many big budget movies relying on that market to boost its international box office. But although the DC supervillain team-up Suicide Squad is on course for a record-breaking US opening this weekend, the film is unlikely to be released in China.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Suicide Squad is yet to be given a release date there, and sources within the Chinese film industry have told the site that it may not be seen at all.

The import and distribution of foreign movies is handled by the State-backed China Film Group, but THR reveals that Suicide Squad is yet to added to its internal release calendar. It quotes one executive as saying: "They think this is not a good film to release in China."

Warner had already altered the film's title to Special Task Force X, removing references to suicide, but the speculation is that the film's dark, anarchic tone is at odds with the Chinese film censors. It received a PG-13 rating in the US.

In terms of the movie's domestic release, it has made $20.5 million on its opening Thursday night. As Variety reports, this is the highest ever debut for an August release. It is expected to make more than $125 million across the entire weekend, and despite some negative reviews, it is certain to become the biggest grossing August release of all time.

Suicide Squad is directed by David Ayer, and tells the story of a group of death row supervillains who are employed covertly by the US government to perform dangerous missions, in return for reduced prison sentences.

It stars Jared Leto as Joker, alongside Will Smith as Deadshot, and Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn. Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, and Jay Hernandez co-star, with Ben Affleck making a cameo appearance as Batman.