The filmmakers behind "Deadpool" have prided themselves on the flick's "hard R" rating, promising to deliver a different, more graphic breed of superhero movie to fans. Now, that plan has prevented the film from debuting in China, the second-biggest movie market on the planet.

According to local media reports (as translated by The Hollywood Reporter), Chinese officials have denied "Deadpool" permission to screen in the country, despite its Marvel affiliation. The country often works to assure Marvel movies release in China, since the flicks are quite popular there; unfortunately for "Deadpool," its self-boasted coarse language and graphic violence and nudity were its undoing.

Here's how the decision unfolded, per THR:

China's censorship authorities often work with the Hollywood studios to create cleaned-up special cuts of R-rated movies, but sources close to the Deadpool decision say it wasn't possible to excise the offending material without causing plot problems.

China has no ratings system, so the country's media regulator, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT), makes an up-down judgment on all film imports, approving or banning them for consumption by Chinese viewers of all ages.

Though the folks at Marvel (and parent company Disney) are no doubt bummed over missing out on the lucrative Chinese market, we have a feeling that those closely involved in the "Deadpool" production are probably pretty proud of their movie being banned. The Merc With a Mouth would no doubt approve.

"Deadpool," starring Ryan Reynolds as the titular antihero, is due in U.S. theaters on February 12.

[via: Mtime, h/t The Hollywood Reporter]

Photo credit: Joe Lederer