A big-budget fantasy epic “Asura” has been pulled from cinemas after a dismal* opening weekend.

The 750 million yuan (US$112 million) film reportedly made less than 50 million yuan on its weekend debut.

The film’s plot is based on Chinese mythology and featured leading actors and flashy special effects.

Producers are reportedly planning to rework the movie and release it again at a later date.

Unless the film achieves much greater success the second time round, its loss would make it one of the biggest flops in movie history.

The elaborate* fantasy film was backed by some of China’s major movie companies: Alibaba Pictures, Zhenjian Film Studio and Ningxia Film Group.

Loosely based on Buddhist mythology*, the movie tells the story of a shepherd* protecting a mythical heavenly realm* from attack.

Before its release, the film was showered with praise by State media, with the China Daily calling it the “most hotly anticipated blockbuster of China’s competitive summer season.”

(SD-Agencies)