While the success of Deadpool may lead to a flurry of R-rated superhero movies at some point, that doesn't appear to have impacted the major studios yet. Marvel, for instance, has no plan for any R-rated movies according to Disney CEO Bob Iger, and last week we learned of Warner Bros.' plan to release Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in PG-13, while saving the R-rated cut for the extended Blu-Ray edition. And it appears that same approach will be taken for Suicide Squad, which many assumed would be Rated-R.
Producer Charles Roven tells EW, “I think right now we’re going for the PG-13. I don’t know that that’s going to materially change. We can give that movie the edge that it needs and still maintain a PG-13.”
It's an interesting move since Suicide Squad seems to have the same skyrocketing level of anticipation as Deadpool, and is the one DC Comics film that the R-rating would have made sense for. The major difference is in cost, and Warner Bros. has invested a lot more in their films and needs to reach the widest possible audience to make that money back.
As for the R-rated home release of 'Batman v Superman', Zack Snyder revealed why they thought it was necessary.
“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.”
He also shot down one fan theory (Well, my theory) about Jena Malone's character, who has been cut from the theatrical release but will appear in the extended version.
“I think we should keep it private, but it’s nothing that’s been talked about,” Snyder says. “She’s definitely not Robin or Batgirl. I’m happy to say that.”
Roven went on to add that the intensity will be ramped up in a way they couldn't theatrically without changing the opinions of the MPAA ratings board. As for what the R-rated cut will include, Snyder teases a number of different Easter Eggs, including a big one for Justice League.
“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 greater Justice League universe.”
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice opens March 25th. Suicide Squad arrives on August 5th. Check out some new photos below, as well.
