LOS ANGELES: China has refused to approve the release of movie “Noah,” which has already been banned in a number of Muslim countries, industry sources said.

A source told AFP that the film “will not release in China,” after Paramount submitted the film for import approval. But a source told the Hollywood Reporter: “This was for religious reasons, though it seems the whole issue was quite complicated.”

The LA Times cited a source who suggested “Noah” may also have been refused a Chinese release for commercial reasons, because several other Hollywood blockbusters are due out there in the coming weeks.

Foreign films are limited to 34 releases a year in China. But the Hollywood Reporter said the studio sought to have it imported under a “flat fee” basis, which meant it did not come under the quota allowed into China on a revenue-sharing basis.

“Godzilla” is due in Chinese cinemas on June 13. “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” took $10 million in its first day in theaters over the weekend, while “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” has made more than $115 million in China.

The film has been banned in Bahrain, Indonesia, Malaysia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, among other countries.

The film also angered some Christian institutions in the United States.