'Django' to undergo more edits in China

NEW YORK, April 13 (UPI) -- A re-edited "Django Unchained" is expected back in Chinese cinemas after it was abruptly pulled the day of its release, The New York Times reported.

Citing sources it did not name, the newspaper said Saturday theater operators suspended screenings of director Quentin Tarantino's movie Thursday, even after he had toned down the color and amount of blood in the picture to adhere to China's strict government guidelines regarding appropriate entertainment.

Theater operators cited technical issues as the reason for pulling the film.

One person who was briefed on plans for the film -- and who spoke on condition of anonymity -- said Friday the film would undergo additional edits to make it appropriate for the Chinese film market.

The new release date for the film was unclear, the source said.

"Django Unchained" would be the first of Tarantino's films to officially open in China.

Set shortly before the U.S. Civil War, the film stars Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kerry Washington. Tarantino earned an Oscar for writing "Django" while Waltz won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar.