Ever since superhero movies started pulling in big numbers at thebox office, a vast majority of them have been rated PG-13, which makes sense because the studio can then cater to the widest possible audiences, including the all-important teenage demographic. Last month, a paradigm shift of sorts occurred, with the massive success of 20th Century Fox’s R-rated superhero movieDeadpool, which has already made more than $600 million worldwide. Last week, we reported that the upcomingBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justicewill get an R-rated “Ultimate Edition” on home video later this year, and nowEntertainment Weeklygot more details on this age-restrictive cut, from directorZack Snyder.
We reported earlier today thatJena Malone’s mystery character was cut from the theatrical version, but the director did say her scenes will be included in theR-ratedUltimate Edition. He also shot down rumors that she’s playing Robin or Batgirl, but he did reveal a few actors who will pop up in the Ultimate edition, while teasing a massiveEaster Eggthat helps set upJustice League Part 1. Here’s what the filmmaker had to say below.
“There’s a couple, like, Ahman Green, the running back from the Green Bay Packers, he’s in it. And C.T. Fletcher is like this bodybuilder muscle-guru from Compton, this awesome guy. He’s amazing, and he’s in it. And then there’s just a lot of these Easter Eggs in the Director’s Cut that I think are gonna be fun for everyone. There’s one giant one that I won’t tell you about yet that speaks to what’s gonna go on in the greaterJustice Leagueuniverse.”
When the MPAA issued the R rating for this Ultimate Edition, it was revealed that the rating was given due to “sequences of violence.” While none of these violent scenes have been detailed quite yet, producerCharles Rovenrevealed why the MPAA gave this version an R rating. Here’s what the producer had to say below.
“There’s not a lot of blood in our movies. The ratings board also judges their PG-13 and R ratings by what they consider to be a level of intensity and how much that intensity goes throughout the entire movie. There are some pretty intense scenes inBatman v Superman, and if they went on longer and had that same level of intensity, that might cause the ratings board to shift their rating.”
DirectorZack Snyder’s earlier superhero adventureWatchmenwas also rated R, but that movie failed to impress at the box office.Batman v Superman: Dawn of JusticestarBen Affleckalso chimed in on the R rated edition, revealing that it’s “smart” for Warner Bros.' to release the PG-13 version in theaters, but make an R-rated version available for adult fans to enjoy. Here’s what the actor had to say below.
“These movies have definitely evolved from being comic books for children aimed at kids. Now they’re the most mainstream movies made, the most successful, the most widely viewed movies these days. Clearly there’s a big enough audience. I think it’s cool. Why not have an R-rated version that you release for download or on DVD later? I think that’s smart.”
We previously reported that the runtime forBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justiceis 151 minutes, which is a bit longer thanMan of Steel’s 143-minute runtime. DirectorZack Snyderrevealed that he didn’t want to make a three-hour movie withBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, while adding that since the credits are rather long, the movie itself comes in under two and a half hours. Here’s what the director had to say.
“We were just like, ‘Okay, look. We’re not making a three-hour movie. I mean, even I didn’t want to make a three-hour movie. I drove the cuts probably harder than anyone. The studio, they were willing to let the movie indulge pretty hard. But I felt like it’s at a manageable two-and-a-half hours. Let’s also not forget the credits are super long, the end credits. So the movie’s closer to two hours and 22 minutes.”
ProducerCharles Rovenalso revealed that the upcomingSuicide Squadwill be aiming for a PG-13 rating, but it remains to be seen if the studio will release an R-rated version of that movie as well. Are you glad thatBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justiceis getting an R-rated cut on home video? Or would you rather see the R-rated version in theaters?
