First WB decides to turn 180 on is non-united DC Comic franchises to follow the “Marvel Way” and now it seems they really like how Marvel put an embargo on R rated comic book films, and they too are putting a ban on R rated Tentpoles for their DC properties.
It was only a short time ago that Marvel Executives said that R-rated films weren’t going to be a part of their strategy going forward, and it seems like Warner Brothers and DC comics are following suit. According to a source inside the studio known to our friends at IESB.net, Warner Brothers has also sworn off doing R-rated tentpole films.
There are two sides to this coin.
First, I don’t see any problem with making these films PG-13. Rated R is unneccessary and even the more adult books can still be pulled off. I know most people will jump to the conclusion that without gore, nudity and f bombs, that you couldn’t possibly convey the depth of these stories. But I disagree. Creative camera work, suggestive visuals can give the same experience and storytelling without alienating younger viewers (or exposing them to those things).
But the other side is that they state they will not make any of their TENTPOLES rated R, so this does leave some wiggle room for some of their other properties that they feel just HAVE to have all that extra sensitive content in it, they just wont be their major releases or summer money grabs.
Bottom line is that they want bums in the relatively comfortable theater seats, and if showing a nipple means they leave out a large demographic, then her shirt stays on. Not a big deal.