China's cinematic censors say 'No' to 'Noah'

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.