Julie Makinen

When Paramount Pictures and Regency Enterprises were finishing up "Noah," they looked to an unusual market to release the $130-million biblical epic: China. But "Noah" and his ark won't be landing in China any time soon.

The country's cinematic censors have refused to give the Russell Crowe movie one of the nation's limited non-Chinese release slots, two people with knowledge of the studio's efforts to bring the movie to the mainland said.

"Noah," which was released domestically March 28, has grossed $99 million in the US and an additional $233 million so far overseas. China probably would have been another key to the film's global popularity. Aside from religious sensitivity, another person with knowledge of China's censorship system said "Noah" may have been shunned partially out of commercial concerns as well.

A Chinese government crackdown on “lewd and pornographic” content has ensnared Internet giant Sina.com, with authorities saying that inappropriate articles and videos were found on the portal and that the company would be stripped of its online publication and video licenses.

The National Office Against Pornographic and Illegal Publications said tips from the public led to the discovery of 20 articles and four videos on the site that violated regulations.

"Some of these articles were as long as 500-plus chapters and clocked millions of clicks ... imperiling social morals and seriously harming minors' physical and mental health," the statement said.

Sina said it was “deeply saddened” by the developments and offered “sincere apologies.” “We are sorry and ashamed,” the note continued, adding that the company had established a rectification team to deal with the situation and invited users to continue to “monitor and criticize us.”