It looks like Deadpool's R-rated influence is spreading beyond Marvel and into the world of DC Comics movies. According to FilmRatings.com, the MPAA has given an 'R' rating to Warner Bros.' Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Awesome, right? Well, except that it's for the Blu-Ray/DVD release only.
The Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice Ultimate Edition will be rated 'R' for "sequences of violence" in the extended edition. Although, aren't there already sequences of violence in the PG-13 cut? There really ought to be, right? Anyway, the less violent version is still the one that will be showing in theaters, which raises the question of why bothering to do this at all?
The answer is pretty simple. The film has been racked by negative buzz lately, and over the last few days we've seen Warner Bros. do everything under their power to correct course. Since many fans seem to think an R-rating automatically makes for a better movie, and they'll definitely be thinking that now because of Deadpool, this is a way to ensure robust sales for the home release. The flipside is that it could cause some to forego buying a ticket in favor of waiting for the edgier version on Blu-Ray.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice opens March 25th. The home release has yet to get a ship date, of course.
