Even with the success of the R-rated Deadpool movie, Marvel doesn’t have any plans to put a darker spin on their blockbusters.
We probably don’t need to keep discussing Deadpool’s success, but it’s just so damn satisfying, so we’re going to do it anyway. On a budget of $58 million, the film has brought in more than $621 million dollars worldwide. Clearly this had far more to do with the source material and its fanbase than the rating, but it has other studios looking into the merits of an R-rated superhero film.
Keeping in line with Fox and the X-Men, Wolverine 3 is apparently going the R-rated route as well. This one in particular makes a lot of sense, given the character’s penchant for dropping the f-bomb.
DC Entertainment is taking a step in that direction, too. The theatrical release of Batman v Superman will still be PG-13, but it sounds like the director’s cut will be R-rated on the Blu-ray.
Marvel, however, isn’t looking to put an R-rated film in theatres any time soon. According to Daniel Miller from the Los Angeles Times, Disney Chairman Bob Iger responded to a shareholder’s comment about the success of Deadpool.
"We don't have any plans to make R-rated Marvel movies," Iger says in response to a shareholder comment about Fox's hit film, "Deadpool."
— Daniel Miller (@DanielNMiller) March 3, 2016
Even though Marvel doesn’t have any plans to make an R-rated superhero film, that doesn’t mean they can’t change their minds down the road. It’s nice to see Deadpool’s success is on their radar and that some people are asking the looming question.
While fans will certainly be disappointed by this news, it’s important to remember that we may not have an R-rated Marvel movie on the horizon, but we still have Daredevil and Jessica Jones. The first seasons of both those Netflix series did not shy away from violence, sex, or dark and difficult topics. Plus, those shows are like 13 hour movies you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home. What’s not to love?