R-rated superheroes are officially big money to studios now, thanks largely to the unbridled success of Deadpool.
Ryan Reynolds and his red-suited anti-hero have now crossed the half-billion mark in a little over two weeks, meaning that studios are starting to warm up to the idea that a superhero film doesn't have to hit the widest base possible. With that in mind, Warner Bros. have announced that Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice will get an R-rating.
On its eventual Blu-Ray release. Sigh.
Keep in mind, this isn't a particularly new tactic. The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies received an R-rating on its Blu-Ray release and, well, it didn't really warrant forking out for the Blu-Ray. As many rightfully described the third Hobbit, it was the Revenge of the Sith of the Hobbit trilogy - the best of a bad lot.
Batman V Superman receiving an R-rating on Blu-Ray doesn't necessarily point to Deadpool's success, more that Zack Snyder obviously had certain scenes that he knew would be cut in order to fit the rating laid both by Warner Bros. and the MPAA. By putting them into the Blu-Ray, it's supposed to encourage people to buy it. Did that work for Five Armies? Of course it didn't.
It all boils down to whether or not it's actually a good film to start with. As Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn correctly pointed out, simply making an R-rated film doesn't mean it'll make the same money as Deadpool. How could it? It's all about the context in which it sits. Suicide Squad, for example, might fit more in tune with an R-rated superhero film and there's every chance that director David Ayer is looking at his cut and thinking he can get Warner Bros. to play ball.
Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice is scheduled for March 25th, 2016.
