Fans of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will get an extended R-rated version of the final film, at least if they purchase it on DVD or Blu-ray.
The Motion Picture Association of American posted a new bulletin that announced the R-rated "Ultimate Edition" of the movie, although it points out that this version is different from the theatrical release, which will still have a PG-13 rating.
Although most might point to this as a sign that movie studios are responding to the wildly successful R-rated Deadpool, this probably isn't the case with Batman v Superman. The extended cut, or director's cut, includes footage that was already shot, well before Deadpool ever appeared in theaters.
In fact, it's likely that for Batman v Superman to get its PG-13 rating for its theatrical release, a lot of footage got cut. That footage getting added back in for the extended version of the movie is why that will get an R rating.
Of course, that's not to say that Deadpool hasn't made a case for R-rated superhero films. After Deadpool's opening, rumors began circulating that Fox planned on making both its Wolverine and X-Force films more explicit. There is, obviously, a demand for more adult superhero fare, and it's likely that more studios will attempt to capitalize on that.
However, there is still a market for PG-13 movies and Warner Bros. previously committed to that more child-friendly rating for the follow-up to Batman v Superman, Justice League, as well as for this year's Suicide Squad.
Batman v Superman is not without its controversy. Not only are fans concerned about the casting of Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor and how different his take on the villain comes across, but HitFix recently reported that Warner Bros. has concerns about the film and how its success (or lack thereof) will affect future DC movies.
Even a computer algorithm only gives Batman v Superman a 32 percent chance at success (as in taking in a sizable profit), but that's not surprising given the film's massive budget.
Of course, we won't know for sure until Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice releases on March 25.
