2-D Avatar to disappear from Chinese theatres

Chinese censors are pulling the 2-D version of James Cameron's science-fiction blockbuster Avatar.

The 3-D and IMAX versions of the movie, which captured the Golden Globe for top film and best directing on Sunday night, will continue their run.

All versions of Avatar had been scheduled to run into mid-February. The 2-D version is more popular because it costs less to see.

China Film Group, the country's state-run distributor, confirmed that it's ordering Avatar off screens by Saturday. It said it was doing so at the request of the censorship authority.

Although no specific reason was given, the action coincides with this week's launch of the much-anticipated biopic of Confucius, played by Asian superstar Chow Yun-fat, opening Thursday. The film about the philosopher was backed by the Chinese government.

In addition, there have been comparisons made about Avatar's plot to some actions taken by the Chinese government against minority groups as well as others in the interests of developers or companies.

In the movie, humans force the eviction of the alien Na'vi race in order to mine a much-needed resource.

Avatar has pulled in $44 million US since its Jan. 12 release in China and has raked in more than $1 billion in box office receipts around the world. 

It is set to become the highest-grossing film of all time, outpacing Cameron's previous record for Titanic.