Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody will have LGBT scenes removed for its release in China, according to reports.
The film picked up four Oscars on Sunday, including a Best Actor win for star Rami Malek’s portrayal of Freddie Mercury, and received permission to open in cinemas in China earlier this week.
However, this approval is thought to be contingent upon references to Mercury’s sexuality being removed from the feature.
Sources told the Hollywood Reporter that “at least one minute of cuts” will be made to the movie, getting rid of “portrayals of drug use and several intimate kisses between Malek’s Mercury and other male characters.”
Though no release date has been confirmed, it is thought that the film will open in China in mid-March.
The publication suggests that it will receive a limited release courtesy of China’s National Alliance of Arthouse Cinemas, despite its widespread commercial success in other countries.
The reports come after Chinese broadcaster Mango TV was criticised for removing a reference to Mercury’s sexuality from its online broadcast of Malek’s Oscars acceptance speech.
The actor used his speech to pay tribute to the late singer, telling the audience: “We made a film about a gay man, an immigrant, who lived his life unapologetically himself.”
Mango TV, which is one of China’s most popular channels, removed the reference to “a gay man,” and reportedly replaced it with “special group.”
Last year’s Oscar favourite Call Me By Your Name was pulled from the Beijing International Film Festival line-up after failing to receive official approval due to its portrayal of a same-sex love story.
