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Criticism of the film coming from Chinese audiences highlights the cultural and representation disconnect that has emerged. Once viewed as a champion for America, Captain America now stands as an unsympathetic character in the eyes of Chinese viewers, who may see American narratives as foreign and incompatible with their national pride.
An Industry in Flux
Disney’s past attempts to engage with China, including notable films like Mulan, have also experienced underwhelming results despite significant efforts to align with local sentiments, including cooperation with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Mulan opened with $23 million, only to later be recognized as one of Disney’s more significant disappointments in the Chinese market.