The appearance of the Golden Gate Bridge on promotional posters for "Bumblebee” released in China has made Chinese fans, who don't know the plot, worry about its fate in the Hollywood film.
“Seems like poor Golden Gate Bridge is going to be messed up with again…” said a fan on Weibo.
Screenshot of fan's concerns on Weibo. /CGTN Photo
Fans have their reasons to be concerned. Ruined by a nuclear attack, melted, cut off by monsters, bitten by a giant shark, the Golden Gate Bridge has suffered countless times. In fact, there are some landmarks which seem to be sci-fi movies' favorite targets for destruction.
Target No. 1: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Representing the strength of American industry, the Golden Gate Bridge, known as the wonder of modern bridge history, is a landmark in San Francisco.
In “Superman” (1978), the bridge was destroyed by a catastrophic earthquake. Superman rescued a school bus which was hanging from the badly broken bridge.
Golden Gate Bridge bit by megashark in “MegaShark vs Giant Octopus.” /Sina Photo
“MegaShark vs Giant Octopus” (2009) provided us a shocking view when megashark and giant Octopus corralled into the bay. The megashark jumps out of the water and bites the bridge into pieces.
In “X-Men: The Last Stand” (2006), Magneto breaks the bridge to make easy access to Alcatraz.
Target No. 2: The Statue of Liberty, New York City
The Statue of Liberty beheaded in “Cloverfield.” /Sina Photo
As a symbol of freedom and all the ideals that America is proud to stand for, the Statue of Liberty has suffered its share of annihilation.
In the movie “Cloverfield” (2008), the statue was beheaded and brutally thrown into streets miles away.
The lady was also seen frozen in the “The Day After Tomorrow” and been used as a missile in “Superman IV.”
Target No. 3: White House, Washington
The White House was blown up in "Independence Day." /Tencent Photo
Hollywood's history of wrecking the nation's capital is not short as well. “Independence Day” is an iconic one with a plot for The White House to be blown up with fire.
The director Roland Emmerich has kept destroying the White House after the “Independence Day” and has been getting great feedback.
In the movie “2012,” he came up with the idea of using an aircraft to demolish the building.
Target No. 4: Big Ben, London
Big Ben being destroyed in a movie. /CGTN Photo
Big Ben, London's most iconic landmark was seen blown up at multiple angles in the movie “V for Vendetta.”
The clock was obliterated along with other landmarks of London such as London Eye and Tate Modern when the U.S. dropped a bomb on the city in the movie “G.I. Joe: Retaliation.”
Target No. 5: Eiffel Tower, Paris
The Eiffel Tower came "crashing down" in "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra." /Tencent Photo
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most popular landmarks Hollywood loves to destroy. Again, G.I. Joe's movie provided audiences with a personal view of the tower being slowly demolished.
It was also memorably destroyed in “Armageddon,” “Independence Day” and “Mars Attack.”
(Cover image and graphic designer: Gao Hongmei)