Report: Warner Bros. is "100 percent" open to R-rated movies in the DC Films universe

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March 7, 2017

With movies like Deadpool and Logan breaking R-rated movie box office records in the last year, the mature superhero movie is more popular than ever. So does Warner Bros. want to get in on the action with some of its characters in their new DC Films universe?

“One hundred percent yes. With the right character(s),” a Warner Bros. insider told The Wrap.

While it was PG-13 when it hit theaters, the 3 hour Ultimate Edition of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice received an R-rating from the MPAA for "sequences of violence". It was nothing compared to Deadpool or Logan in terms of violence or mature content, though, as the movie was shot with a PG-13 rating in mind.

A Lobo script is in the works, and he'd definitely fit in an R-rated movie. Which other R-rated DC Comics movies would you like to see Warner Bros. make? Let me know in the comments below.

SOURCE: The Wrap

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121 comments

Schuyler Finley
March 7, 2017
http://www.reactiongifs.us/...
Dr Mindbender
March 7, 2017
Ummm... R rated theatrical films is nothing new to DC.
Road to Perdition, Constantine, History of Violence, V for Vendetta, and Watchmen all say "hi!"
1. Schuyler Finley
  March 7, 2017
  They're not part of the DCEU.
  1. Dr Mindbender
    March 7, 2017
    Don't downplay the fact that this article is attempting to make R rated CBMs seem like some new daring idea.
    DC has more R rated films than all the Marvelverse combined.
    1. Kriss_Kringle
      March 8, 2017
      None of those are properties that have been adapted before on screen with a PG-13 rating and only Watchmen gets near Batman in terms of popularity,but quite a few ways off.
    2. Professor X Rated
      March 8, 2017
      OK, as long as nobody downplays your silly attempt to compare movies like Road to Perdition and History of Violence to tentpole summer action films. Everybody understands R rated comic book movies have happened before. But when we talk about the mainstream superhero films that make up the bulk of what the DCEU is, that's a totally different animal and none of the movies listed above compare with that. The idea that we could possibly get legitimate mainstream superhero films (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, etc) that might go into R rated territory is a totally new idea. There's a reason why Logan being R rated is a story. Because it's the first mainstream superhero movie to do it. You're just being obstinate to pretend that you don't understand the point.
    3. Snoopy and The Red Baron
      March 8, 2017
      Why didn't you make this your first comment then if that was your point? Your original point is invalid due to the fact none of these were a part of the DCEU, which is what's being addressed here. Plus, just because DC did it several times doesn't mean that any or all were done well.
2. BatmanNewsChris
  March 7, 2017
  None of those movies are in the same ballpark as Deadpool and Logan though. We're in a new era of R-rated superhero movies.
  1. Dr Mindbender
    March 7, 2017
    What does that mean, "Chris?"
    1. BatmanNewsChris
      March 7, 2017
      Deadpool made as much money as all of the movies you listed *combined*. Maybe they were just ahead of their time. But now there's a market for these movies. That's what WB wants to capitalize on, according to this report.
      1. Dr Mindbender
        March 7, 2017
        Ah, "according to the Internet."
        Gotcha.
        You could have easily pointed out that DC already has several R rated movies going back 15 years, instead you frame it like its some brand new thing.
        Deadpool making what it did doesn't make it bold and new to the genre, sir.
      2. BatmanNewsChris
        March 7, 2017
        Deadpool, and now Logan, are the main reasons why Warner Bros. is open to this idea now.
      3. Dr Mindbender
        March 7, 2017
        Open to the idea!?!??
        THEY HAVE ALREADY DONE IT SEVERAL TIMES!?!?!?
      4. BatmanNewsChris
        March 7, 2017
        Open to it *again* is what I meant to say. They did it before and didn't make any money!
        And the main point of this article is that they're willing to make R-rated movies in the DC Films universe. The universe that Batman v Superman and Man of Steel live in. They've never done anything like that before.
      5. Rust
        March 7, 2017
        Sad that something like this gets people so bent out of shape.
        I knew what you meant right away, and I knew the informational intention of the article right away. What is hard to understand about things like this (especially to the point of bickering) I'll never know.
      6. Dr Mindbender
        March 7, 2017
        ???
        Batman v Superman is rated R.
        Okay, so what you are saying is:
        "Even though WB has already made several R rated DC films, including one in the current DCEU... it should come to news to everyone that they are willing to do it again and it's because of Deadpool."
        God I hate the Internet... so very, very much.
      7. Rust
        March 7, 2017
        The ultimate cut of BvS is a very tame R, while the cut most people saw, which was what was in theaters, was a standard PG-13.
        A situation like BvS where the R was really only received via technicality still leaves plenty of room for people to guess that that may be an exception, while a more family-palatable PG-13 would be the framework they'd want to hold to as much as possible to maintain a successful mainstream franchise.
        Looking to past niche cult hits (V, Watchmen) independent from the whole 'big bucks' connected universe idea isn't really a weighty comparison with full context of the situation.
        Thus, the clarification here that they're open to exploring more R stuff is encouraging. Not hard.
      8. BatmanNewsChris
        March 7, 2017
        99% of people who saw Batman v Superman saw the PG-13 version. They didn't set out to make an R-rated Batman v Superman movie.
      9. Dr Mindbender
        March 7, 2017
        *rolls eyes*
        Regardless, the movie Zack made... (well before the success of Deadpool, as any educated individual knows) was rated R by the MPAA and required editing to make it PG-13. Fun fact: Whedon's original Avengers can say the same thing.
        But no, that's not the idea you want to convey here, so I'll play along:
        Indeed. Everything WB and DC has done in the past no longer counts and it's all because of Logan and Deadpool.
      10. Cos Zorro
        March 7, 2017
        Man just chill. We all get what Chris said! Nothing yo fuss over.
      11. BatmanNewsChris
        March 7, 2017
        We'll have to agree to disagree on this one.
      12. El Maybe
        March 7, 2017
        Take Deadpool and Logan out of the equation now, do you still see WB interested in including R-rated movies in the DCEU? Be honest with yourself. WB made some R-rated DC movies before, yes, but they were independent projects that didn't make much money - and never had expectations to make much money in the first place, in their defense - instead of being part of a potential multibillionaire franchise currently really struggling to find it's ground. WB never had the intention of making Batman v Superman R-rated, it only exists because of Zack Snyder, if it was directed by literally almost anyone else there would be no R-rated cut. If it weren't for Deadpool and Logan, WB wouldn't consider stepping into the game, period. Chris wasn't taking any importance away from these past R-rated DC properties, but the truth is that movies like Watchmen and V, despite great, really don't play a role in this current era - two movies, Deadpool and Logan, definitely don't define an era, but hell I couldn't think of another word right now - of successful mature CBMs. Chill.
      13. Dr Mindbender
        March 7, 2017
        "Never had the expectations to make much money in the first place"
        Uh huh. That's what studios do, right? Release something in theaters expecting it to not make any money.
        Christ on pogo sticks... I'm aware that Logan and Deadpool stand out in the current landscape... what I'm saying is this shouldn't subtract from what was already done several times before in the not-so-distant past.
      14. El Maybe
        March 7, 2017
        "Uh huh. That's what studios do, right? Release something in theaters expecting it to not make any money." Funny how you turn "much money" into "any money", plus, WB expected profit obviously, not necessarily crazy amount of money. What I meant with "much money" was some high amount like what Avatar or Transformers made back in those same days, Watchmen was never expected to compete with those two and many others in terms of box office.
        "I'm aware that Logan and Deadpool stand out in the current landscape... what I'm saying is this shouldn't subtract from what was already done several times before in the not-so-distant past." But it doesn't! V and Watchmen are great DC R-rated movies, we're not taking anything away from that, but they just don't play a role when it comes to WB's current interest of investing in some R-rated DCEU movies.
      15. Supporter
        March 8, 2017
        Logan and Deadpool are simply giving DC more confidence in trying again and likely with bigger properties. That's all.
      16. rodo
        March 9, 2017
        Don't say that... to the toxic members of the DC fan base (DCNazis) that's some kind blasphemy. They'll never understand and, to them, you will be an inmature asshole that love Marvel movies.
      17. David
        March 8, 2017
        Not in a connected universe setting you dumbass
      18. Snoopy and The Red Baron
        March 8, 2017
        If you hated the internet you wouldn't be a part of it.
      19. David
        March 8, 2017
        Then get off it you obtuse motherfucker
      20. David Curry
        March 8, 2017
        So WB has had no problem making over a decade's worth of R-rated comic book movies, whether they made money or not... but the success of Deadpool+Logan convinced WB to keep making R-rated CBMs?
        And 300 was Dark Horse, but it was a big success for WB.
      21. LordofFlies
        March 8, 2017
        But, they never had a cinematic universe before, too.
  2. Schuyler Finley
    March 7, 2017
    Hey! Don't disrespect V for Vendetta, Chris. Not cool.
    1. Rust
      March 7, 2017
      I didn't take it that way. The genre has just become so much more mainstream and popular these days that Logan and Deadpool had a stage to be spectacularly more successful than V.
      V definitely contributed to laying that path out. :)
      1. Schuyler Finley
        March 7, 2017
        I'm just playing with Chris. I understand what he meant, though I still had to defend V. Even as a young teen who didn't care much about films, I freaking loved V when I first saw it.
      2. Rust
        March 7, 2017
        I kinda figured you didn't (which is why I upvoted you), but I also didn't want people scrolling by to actually think Chris was dissing V, so I posted up a little defense for the sake of it.
        You know how people are around here. :P
      3. Schuyler Finley
        March 7, 2017
        Yeah. Some here take films and comics a bit too seriously.
      4. Dr Mindbender
        March 7, 2017
        I take truth in journalism seriously, something that is consistently ignored on the net. This site especially.
      5. Snoopy and The Red Baron
        March 8, 2017
        Bull. If you did, you wouldn't read it and comment on it.
      6. Rust
        March 7, 2017
        Granted, I take them too seriously as well -- but the knee-jerk reactionary 'pitchfork and torches' mentality is a bit much even for me.
      7. Schuyler Finley
        March 7, 2017
        Yeah. You at least don't try to be an asshole.
      8. Rust
        March 7, 2017
        Well... I do have my moments. ;P
      9. Schuyler Finley
        March 7, 2017
        https://youtu.be/--9oYufMS_k
3. Jimmy Two Times
  March 7, 2017
  I definitely see your point, and there's a ton of truth behind it. I think it's easy for a lot of folks to overlook such films because 1.) I doubt the vast majority would even know that such films were based off of comics/graphic novels 2.) The fact that -- other than Watchmen-- they all slightly predate our current comic saturated movie market.
  The ONLY difference now is that the more mainstream Superheroes are looking to be given similar treatment, and that's why it might also be so easily perceived that studios are "breaking new ground" with all this R-rated business.
4. Jack Slater IV
  March 8, 2017
  300.
StarTheory
March 7, 2017
I would love a R-rated Batman movie, you can truly dig deeper into Joker's sick mind.
1. BATJOHN
  March 7, 2017
  NO Batman already has a R-Rated movie, Batman The Killing Joke.
  1. Hunter Zolomon
    March 8, 2017
    and it was awful.
    1. BATJOHN
      March 8, 2017
      But it was taking a different role from all of the other PG-13 Batman Films but hey everyone has their own opinions. So that's your opinion and this right here is my opinion.
      1. Kyle Barton
        March 12, 2017
        Your ones defo worse though.
    2. BATJOHN
      March 10, 2017
      Well what about Batman VS Superman Dawn of Justice Ultimate Edition now that was AWESOME
      1. Hunter Zolomon
        March 11, 2017
        No that was awful as well. Only slightly better then the cinema cut but not much.
      2. BATJOHN
        March 11, 2017
        You know what it doesn't matter as long as they're making movies it's ok
BATJOHN
March 7, 2017
How about an Atrocitus Movie cause if you did that then that would probably have to have an R-Rating, wouldn't it?
Kryptonian Knight
March 7, 2017
I really don't care if it's R rated or not, I just want excellent films. BvS UE was a better movie than the original not because of the extra blood on the wall or for having an F-bomb. Great movies will always come down to great coherent stories and proper characterization of the characters, just focus on that. Don't be reactionary, be visionary instead.
1. Dr Mindbender
  March 7, 2017
  If you knew squat about the source material ALL of it would require an R rating.
  That includes Marvel.
  1. Dr Mindbender
    March 7, 2017
    When you convey the still pictures of a comic to live action, it changes everything... which includes Spider-Man. If someone gets smashed in the face with something, the reality is there are consequences. Only an R rating can display this. You fail to grasp what I'm saying
2. YGtrece
  March 8, 2017
  Deadpool isn't a good movie???
  1. YGtrece
    March 8, 2017
    Respect your opinion
OptimistPrime99
March 7, 2017
Definitely not Gotham City Sirens or Black Adam. Both will need to sell toys and have at least SOME kid appeal. But Justice League Dark and a gritty Harley Quinn-less Suicide Squad sequel, would be awesome R-rated movies. https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
Nahuel Benvenuto
March 7, 2017
SS should had been R and also BvS should have been released on it complete version on theaters
1. OGmacrazy
  March 8, 2017
  Yeah, nothing quite like a fucking R rated Superman movie to be the flop of the century.
Jesse Hernandez
March 7, 2017
I put the Logan movie up there next to the Dark knight as one the best comic book movies ever made. That movie was amazing
1. Dr Mindbender
  March 7, 2017
  I just threw up a little in my mouth.
  Graphic violence and f-bombs to gloss over extremely basic storytelling is grounds for best ever now, eh?
  You poor kids.
  You want a real rated R CBM? Check out "A Road to Perdition" it's currently On Demand.
  1. B Sharp
    March 7, 2017
    Most people have no idea thats even a comicbook film. Its like Ghost World or Persopolis.,,, But i totally agree some of Sam Mendes best work, that final scene at the lake house is masterful work.
  2. Jesse Hernandez
    March 7, 2017
    There was emotion with good acting and all that & I don't know about you guys and X-men Spider-Man and Batman begins started all this and to see two characters past there prime old and there last movie.... idk maybe my nostalgia is beyond the roof but I just saw it yesterday and it was amazing
    1. Foomankru
      March 7, 2017
      You don't have to defend yourself. If it's one of your favorites, that's all that matters.
  3. YGtrece
    March 8, 2017
    U r always right. Thanks for sharing wisdom w us lesser ones
2. B Sharp
  March 7, 2017
  a bit of a stretch. Logan was definitely one of the top X-men movies and a very solid film all around but TDK isn't just a great superhero flick, it's one of the great movies of all time. Personally, I found Logan to really meander until they ditched the product placement in Vegas and has some seriously clunky bits like the farmer talking about corn syrup. But easily the best acting in an X-men flick.
3. Schuyler Finley
  March 7, 2017
  It was a good sendoff for Jackman-Wolverine, but some of the plot holes and inconsistencies hold it back from being excellent, IMO.
Xetrus
March 7, 2017
Well, of course. Deadpool and Logan became huge successes. What more do you want, Warner? A 5 year old can see that are profitable. I wonder if they know that the reason for their success was the story and not the R rating...
1. Jimmy Two Times
  March 7, 2017
  Oh yes, because Deadpool was such a great story lol.
  1. Xetrus
    March 7, 2017
    Yes, the story. It was a simple and WELL WRITTEN story.
    1. Jimmy Two Times
      March 7, 2017
      To each their own. I personally found it paper thin without much substance. It was amusing, and Reynolds personified Wade well. But that was about it, for myself.
      1. BatmanOfEarth2
        March 7, 2017
        Yes me too it was enjoyable the first time but there was nothing to really stimulate me or for me to look out for after seeing it once.
      2. YGtrece
        March 8, 2017
        Less substantive than some of the recent DCEU movies? Not being sarcastic
B Sharp
March 7, 2017
And here comes the narrative.... DC is reactionary they have no plan! THEY JUST CHASE MONEY!!
God give it a rest. Warner Bros has been making R-rated comicbook based films forever. Nevermind that they did it first with a Marvel character..... Blade.
1. Dr Mindbender
  March 7, 2017
  This guy gets it
2. YGtrece
  March 8, 2017
  I don't think this article had the tone you read that it had
3. OGmacrazy
  March 8, 2017
  They've never made DCEU R rated films, though, and that's the point. There is a very clear difference between a standalone R rated movie based on a comic book, that is mostly the filmmaker's movie, and a movie set in a universe with characters and situations already set up.
AquaCthulhu
March 7, 2017
I wish they could rope in someone like Guillermo del Toro for one of these R-DC Films! I was disheartened he couldn't work his schedule around for JLD.
1. Rust
  March 7, 2017
  He was seemingly so passionate about it (and Hellboy 3)... Beyond stunned he didn't follow through and drop everything else.
  Every time this comes up, I get so sad. lol
  https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
  1. AquaCthulhu
    March 7, 2017
    Haha! He does seem to do that a lot!
    He wrote the script and I believe Doug would be directing the same (I vaguely remember reading it somewhere). If that's true he must've done a great job!
    Have you heard about his ideas for Hellboy 3? They sounded promising!
Martinezxyz
March 7, 2017
Then Suicide Squad 2 should be cranked up to R. They are the right characters for the job. If they still want to move ahead with Lobo too, even better. But, don't do it for the sake of wanting to capitalize on the new market. Really, REALLY, make an effort and a good product.
Dr Mindbender
March 7, 2017
Okay, done saying what I have to say because the majority of the comments from here out are meant to trigger responses and get page hits.
Be smarter than the Internet kids... or at least try to be.
*inflammatory response in 3, 2, 1...*
1. YGtrece
  March 8, 2017
  Spurs winning it all in 2017
Raul Barbosa
March 7, 2017
Invisibles, Justice League Dark, 100 Bullets, Y - The Last Man!
Brandon J. Hall
March 7, 2017
The Batman
silvermyth7
March 7, 2017
Suicide Squad 2, rated R and Mel Gibson directing it will be perfect!
1. Mark
  March 8, 2017
  Honestly, I think they're screwing themselves if they make SS2 R-rated with Gibson. They made big money with the youth-oriented movie, no sense in trashing that branding. Write a new story but keep that aesthetic and keep it accessible to the kids that made the first one a hit.
sj conker
March 7, 2017
Justice League Dark and then Swamp Thing.
andrew
March 7, 2017
"An insider reports"
ha.haaa.haha.
the wrap. ha
Bisquiteen Trisket
March 7, 2017
Warner Bros is just over their head with this whole comic book movie thing.
Frank
March 7, 2017
SS2!
Shunsui
March 7, 2017
How about we just focus on the core slate of movies instead of announcing new movie plans.
RedWinter
March 7, 2017
I would love to see an r rated Red Hood and the outlaws with arsenal and starfire. And then I would have my permission to die.
emad
March 7, 2017
'Death at the family' story arc
I guess Joker needs a R Rated movie to fully capture his craziness.
Daelight
March 8, 2017
Can't wait to see Superman's dick in the R-Rated Man of Steel sequel
YGtrece
March 8, 2017
Nice. Maybe this could free their team up creatively to write and produce what they want without having to worry about watering the content down? I'm down!!!!
Steven Irizarry
March 8, 2017
r rated batman movie based on the screenplay for batman year one
phantom_ xof
March 8, 2017
TIME TO SHINEEEEE
https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
Theclaw Yaww
March 8, 2017
Oh god pls dont
Seb
March 8, 2017
R rating doesn't necessarily make a movie better. It's nice to see they are willing, but it has to feel natural. Many people are saying SS 2 "should be rated R". It could work, but really... SS 2 would be completely fine with a PG-13 rating if the movie itself is actually good. The only way SS 2 will actually get an R rating, is if Mel Gibson directs it (which I would love to see) but I don't think that'll ever happen.
Yanni Spiridakis
March 8, 2017
I would really like to see a Batman R rated movie... No super vilalins though

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This is an archive of Batman-News.com from 2010 to 2025. For the latest news, check out BatmanNews.com