There's no denying that "Deadpool" is a runaway hit, and while the movie can attribute its success to many things, people can't help but zero in on the fact that it's R-rated. Next thing you know, upcoming movies are suddenly considering R-ratings, but not "Suicide Squad."
You'd think for a movie that brings together more than a handful of villains together it would be easy to get an R-rating. Actually, it is, but that's not the direction the movie is taking.
Talking to Entertainment Weekly, producer Charles Roven said they are going for a different rating. "We can give that movie the edge that it needs and still maintain a PG-13."
This isn't necessarily a diss at R-rated movies (or those looking to take that route) but rather a reflection of Warner Bros.' aim to reach the widest audience possible when its movies hit theaters. The R does stand for "restricted" and it does restrict when attached to a particular film.
To Ben Affleck, who is starring in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," which Roven also produced, opting for a PG-rating for a theatrical release and coming up with an R-rated version for the DVD or download is the smart thing to do.
"Clearly there's a big enough audience. I think it's cool ... I think that's smart," he said.
Those catching "Batman v Superman" in cinemas starting March 25 will be watching a PG-13 cut of the movie. Those eager for the R-rated version will have to wait for the extended "Ultimate Edition" that will be released summer on home video.
Maybe "Suicide Squad" will offer the same options?
It's not impossible given DC has never shied away from mature content, which is highly evident in its library of direct-to-video titles.
"Suicide Squad" comes to theaters August 5. Directed by David Ayer, it will star Jared Leto, Viola Davis, Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jai Courtney and more.
