The success of Deadpool has paved the way for a new breed of superhero movie, one that can be both lucrative for studios and still respect their potentially bloody origins. While that’s now taking effect with an R-rated Wolverine movie, it looks as if Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is still barreling ahead with a PG-13 rating in theaters. But it’s saving all the harder stuff for the R-rated Ultimate Edition.
Is this just a ploy to spin more money from diehard fans? Well, it could be, but director Zack Snyder and Ben Affleck don’t see it that way. Affleck calls the idea to release an adult version of the movie on home video “smart” as a way to appease larger audiences and a subset of fans who prefer their superhero antics served up with a touch more violence.
As for Snyder, here’s the rest of what he told Entertainment Weekly:
“We were just like, ‘Okay, look. We’re not making a three-hour movie. I mean, even I didn’t want to make a three-hour movie. I drove the cuts probably harder than anyone. The studio, they were willing to let the movie indulge pretty hard. But I felt like it’s at a manageable two-and-a-half hours. Let’s also not forget the credits are super long, the end credits. So the movie’s closer to two hours and 22 minutes.”
Yesterday, we learned that Jena Malone’s mystery character had also been excised from the final theatrical cut. She’s been spared a total erasure from the cinematic universe, though, as she will appear in the R-rated cut. When pressed for details on who she’s playing, Snyder refused to give up the name.
“I think we should keep it private, but it’s nothing that’s been talked about. She’s definitely not Robin or Batgirl. I’m happy to say that.”
Who might Malone be playing then? It’s hard to tell right off the bat, but speculation will no doubt start today. As for the rest of the Ultimate Edition, Snyder happily reveals more cameos that were snipped from the theatrical cut:
“There’s a couple, like, Ahman Green, the running back from the Green Bay Packers, he’s in it. And C.T. Fletcher is like this bodybuilder muscle-guru from Compton, this awesome guy. He’s amazing, and he’s in it,” Snyder says. “And then there’s just a lot of these Easter Eggs in the Director’s Cut that I think are gonna be fun for everyone…. There’s one giant one [easter egg] that I won’t tell you about yet that speaks to what’s gonna go on in the greater Justice League universe.”
Overall, it seems as if Warner is attempting to kill two birds with one stone; create a family-friendly version to cater to the masses, and craft a fan-friendly version that doesn’t pull any punches. It makes sense for a $250 million movie to want to recoup some of its costs, but what do you think? Is this a blatant cash-in, or a clever move? Sound off in the comments below.
Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice opens on March 25.