Monster Hunter: Racist line of dialogue removed from new film after backlash in China

Film’s production company apologised for ‘inadvertent misunderstanding’

New film Monster Hunter was pulled from release after racist scene caused a furore among audiences in China.

The film's distributor, Constantin Films, apologised "for a line of dialogue contained in an early scene" that offended viewers.

It occurred during a scene featuring Asian-American actor Jin Au-Yeung, who is also known as rapper MC Jin.

After watching the film, viewers immediately started writing about the moment online. They linked the featured line of dialogue spoken by the actor to a playground rhyme used to mock children of Asian descent.

This scene has now been edited in order to get the film back in cinemas.

Constantin Films said it has "listened to the concerns expressed by Chinese audiences and removed the line that has led to this inadvertent misunderstanding".

The statement continued: "There was absolutely no intent to discriminate, insult or otherwise offend anyone of Chinese heritage."

Monsters Hunter reunites Milla Jovovich with her Resident Evil director Paul WS Anderson. 

Tony Jaa, Ron Perlman and rapper TI also star.

The film is set to be released in the UK in 2021 and will be unveiled in the US on Christmas Day.