Richard Gere hasn't made a big studio movie in nearly a decade, and China is to blame.
"There are definitely movies that I can't be in because the Chinese will say, 'Not with him,'" Richard told The Hollywood Reporter.
"I recently had an episode where someone said they could not finance a film with me because it would upset the Chinese."
The Pretty Woman star's remarks follow the Wall Street Journal's declaration that "You Can’t Make Movies Without China," noting that the country's $6.6 billion box-office total last year came second only to the United States'.
China's disdain for Richard stems from the 67-year-old's political remarks at the 1993 Academy Awards.
While presenting an award for art direction, he went off-script to protest China's occupation of Tibet and its "horrendous, horrendous human rights situation."
Then, in 1997, Richard starred in the thriller Red Corner as an American businessman who falls foul of China's legal system when he is wrongfully accused of murder.
"Everyone was happy with the film," Richard said.
The Pretty Woman star's remarks follow the Wall Street Journal's declaration that "You Can’t Make Movies Without China," noting that the country's $6.6 billion box-office total last year came second only to the United States'.
China's disdain for Richard stems from the 67-year-old's political remarks at the 1993 Academy Awards.
While presenting an award for art direction, he went off-script to protest China's occupation of Tibet and its "horrendous, horrendous human rights situation."
Then, in 1997, Richard starred in the thriller Red Corner as an American businessman who falls foul of China's legal system when he is wrongfully accused of murder.
"Everyone was happy with the film," Richard said.
"I get calls from the heads of the studio. Went on Oprah. Then, out of nowhere, I get calls saying, 'We don't want you doing press.' MGM wanted to make an overall deal with the Chinese. China told them, 'If you release this film, we're not buying it.' And so, they dumped it."
That year, he was given a lifelong ban from entering China and soon found the backlash creeping into every aspect of his career.
"There was something I was going to do with a Chinese director, and two weeks before we were going to shoot, he called saying, 'Sorry, I can't do it,'" the American Gigolo and Chicago star revealed.
That year, he was given a lifelong ban from entering China and soon found the backlash creeping into every aspect of his career.
"There was something I was going to do with a Chinese director, and two weeks before we were going to shoot, he called saying, 'Sorry, I can't do it,'" the American Gigolo and Chicago star revealed.
"We had a secret phone call on a protected line. If I had worked with this director, he, his family would never have been allowed to leave the country ever again, and he would never work."
In 2008, Richard called for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics.
In 2008, Richard called for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics.
He also continues to support the cause through his two foundations, the International Campaign for Tibet and The Gere Foundation in New York.
The star – who is currently busy with two small budget feature films, Norman and The Dinner – has accepted his Hollywood fate.
"I'm not interested in playing the wizened Jedi in your tentpole," he said.
The star – who is currently busy with two small budget feature films, Norman and The Dinner – has accepted his Hollywood fate.
"I'm not interested in playing the wizened Jedi in your tentpole," he said.
"I was successful enough in the last three decades that I can afford to do these [smaller films] now."
Chinese activist lawyer Chen Guangcheng (L) stands alongside actor Richard Gere (R) after being presented Tom Lantos Human Rights Prize Jan 29, 2013.
Chinese activist lawyer Chen Guangcheng (L) stands alongside actor Richard Gere (R) after being presented Tom Lantos Human Rights Prize Jan 29, 2013.
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