Zack Snyder's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was on the brink of receiving an R rating from the MPAA due to its central premise of the clash between Batman and Superman. The film, which was the second installment in the now-defunct DCEU, faced a lukewarm critical reception and fell short of box office expectations, despite grossing over $870 million globally. This marked a lackluster debut for Ben Affleck's portrayal of Batman and set the DCEU on a challenging trajectory from which it struggled to rebound.
In a recent interview, Snyder revealed that the MPAA initially resisted granting the movie a PG-13 rating, expressing discomfort with the notion of Batman and Superman engaging in combat. Despite Snyder's efforts to secure a lower rating, the board persisted in advocating for an R rating, citing concerns over the heroes' conflict. Snyder found himself in a dilemma, as removing the pivotal fight scene was not a viable option, given its centrality to the film.
Subsequently, Snyder released the Ultimate Edition of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which indeed carried the R rating he had sought to avoid for the theatrical release. While Todd Phillips' R-rated Joker achieved immense global success, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film in history with over $1 billion in box office revenue, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice could not take a similar risk. The film's release in 2016 preceded the groundbreaking success of Joker in 2019, and the landscape for R-rated superhero movies was not as established at the time.
Moreover, the decision to pursue an R rating for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice would have been ill-suited to the characters of Superman and Batman, who traditionally appeal to a broad audience, including younger viewers. Restricting access to these iconic superheroes would have significantly impacted the film's financial performance and disrupted the coherence of the broader DCEU narrative for audiences of all ages.
In conclusion, while the prospect of an R rating loomed over Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Snyder navigated the challenges to ensure the film maintained its intended rating and accessibility to a wide audience. The film's legacy, though marked by initial struggles, remains a significant chapter in the evolution of the DCEU and the superhero genre as a whole.
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