Last week, it was revealed that director Paul W.S. Anderson and star Milla Jovovich’s latest video game adaptation Monster Hunter was being pulled from local theatres in China following backlash to a joke that was deemed racist by audiences.
Now, in a statement to Deadline, Paul W.S. Anderson has apologised for the offensive joke and confirmed that the controversial line has been completely removed from the movie.
“I am absolutely devastated that a line from our movie, Monster Hunter, has offended some audience members in China,” Anderson said. “I apologize for any anxiety or upset that this line and its interpretation caused. Monster Hunter was made as fun entertainment and I am mortified that anything within it has caused unintentional offense. We have respectfully removed the line from the movie. It was never our intention to send a message of discrimination or disrespect to anyone. To the contrary — at its heart our movie is about unity.”
Monster Hunter’s producer Constantin Film has also issued an apology for the controversial joke earlier this week, which also stated that the line will be removed from the movie.
Constantin says it “sincerely apologizes to Chinese audiences for a line of dialogue contained in an early scene of Monster Hunter. There was absolutely no intent to discriminate, insult or otherwise offend anyone of Chinese heritage. Constantin Film has listened to the concerns expressed by Chinese audiences and removed the line that has led to this inadvertent misunderstanding.”
Unfortunately, there is a chance that this offensive joke has already damaged the upcoming adaptation as Capcom’s beloved video game title Monster Hunter: World has been heavily review-bombed as a result of the controversy.
“Behind our world, there is another: a world of dangerous and powerful monsters that rule their domain with deadly ferocity. When an unexpected sandstorm transports Lt. Artemis (Milla Jovovich) and her unit (TI Harris, Meagan Good, Diego Boneta) to a new world, the soldiers are shocked to discover that this hostile and unknown environment is home to enormous and terrifying monsters immune to their firepower. In their desperate battle for survival, the unit encounters the mysterious Hunter (Tony Jaa), whose unique skills allow him to stay one step ahead of the powerful creatures. As Artemis and Hunter slowly build trust, she discovers that he is part of a team led by the Admiral (Ron Perlman). Facing a danger so great it could threaten to destroy their world, the brave warriors combine their unique abilities to band together for the ultimate showdown.”
Monster Hunter sees Paul W.S. Anderson directing a cast that includes Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil), Meagan Good (Think Like a Man), Tip ‘T.I.’ Harris (Ant-Man and the Wasp), Tony Jaa (Ong-Bak), Ron Perlman (Sons of Anarchy) and Diego Boneta (Scream Queens).
