Holy censorship Batman!!

Just because Batman landed in Hong Kong doesn't mean "The Dark Knight" will.

Warner Bros. decided not to release the film in China — or even submit it for censors' approval — because of "prerelease conditions" and "cultural sensitivities," the studio said Tuesday.

Warner Bros. officials may have been concerned the film — particularly scenes shot in Hong Kong, where Batman nabs a gangster — would offend censors. Hong Kong is a Chinese-ruled former British colony that maintains separate political and economic systems.

The studio said in a statement overnight that the acclaimed film - the second highest-grossing movie in US box-office history - would be canned in China, with "cultural sensitivities" cited as one of the reasons for the no-show.

"Based on a number of pre-release conditions that are being attached to The Dark Knight as well as cultural sensitivities to some elements of the film, we have opted to forego a theatrical release of the film in China," the statement said.

It was not clear what "cultural sensitivities" were at issue but the movie includes an action sequence shot in Hong Kong where Batman, played by Christian Bale, apprehends a Chinese money-launderer.

Another possible sticking point is a brief appearance by Hong Kong actor-singer Edison Chen (credited in the film as "LSI Vice President") , who appeared in one of the biggest sex scandals earlier this year in China, appearing in lurid photos with several women.

However, Bootleg copies have been available in Chinese markets for months.

The Dark Knight" has grossed more than $465 million in foreign markets.