If there’s one thing that’s remained the same for the last half-century, it’s Disney’s dedication to presenting itself as a family-friendly company, one which emphasizes experiences appropriate for every age, rather than appealing to one specific demographic. However, later this week, the House of Mouse will have to do something it hasn’t done in a while: release an R-rated film.
You read that right. For the first time in six years, Disney will be releasing a movie intended for older audiences. Stuber, an R-rated buddy cop flick set to hit theaters on Friday, was originally produced by 21st Century Fox. However, after acquiring the company, Disney became obligated to release any Fox films that were already being worked on during the time of purchase.
If you’ve been keeping up to date with Marvel movies, you’ll probably recognize a few members of Stuber‘s cast. The film follows a mild-mannered Uber driver named Stu (Kumail Nanjiani), who picks up Vic (Dave Bautista – Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy), a grizzled detective who is hot on the trail of a sadistic, bloodthirsty terrorist. Stu soon finds himself thrust into a harrowing ordeal where he has to keep his wits, avoid danger, and work with his passenger while maintaining his high customer service rating.
Aside from featuring the talents of Drax himself, Karen Gillan (who plays Nebula, Thanos’ adopted daughter) stars as Vic’s partner, Sarah Morris. Seeing as how Stuber was originally produced by Fox, these MCU connections are merely a happy coincidence as opposed to being planned out from the start.
This probably won’t be the last time Disney releases an R-rated movie, either. After all, it seems that Marvel has no plans to tone down the next Deadpool film, so the House of Mouse will have to get used to the idea of expanding their repertoire.
