The latest iteration of the Caped Crusader is currently deep in post-production, and with the studio having watched James Gunn’s R-rated The Suicide Squad bomb at the box office, it’s very likely that the boardroom will not run the risk of alienating a huge part of The Batman‘s potential audience…especially when there’s no guarantees the theatrical industry will be restored to former glories when the movie arrives in early 2022.
Everything we’ve heard about The Batman has thrown around adjectives like ‘dark’, ‘scary’, ‘violent,’ and ‘crazy.’ Still…everyone’s expecting Matt Reeves’ reboot to be rated PG-13. The Dark Knight set the benchmark on how far the rating can be pushed without risking the wrath of the MPAA. Notwithstanding, the pandemic’s impact will likely be the deciding factor in Warner Bros.’ final call.
However, we’re hearing from sources – the same ones who told us Ben Affleck would be donning the cape and cowl to return for The Flash long before it was confirmed – that star Robert Pattinson is reportedly still pushing to take the franchise into R-rated territory in the future.
The actor recently signed a first-look development deal with WarnerMedia, so it stands to reason that he’ll have increased influence behind the scenes for The Batman sequels. It’s all about the bottom line, though; if WB feels the franchise should remain PG-13 to maximize profits, then that’s the way it’s going to be when the character remains one of the studio’s most lucrative and marketable assets.
