Though it isn’t the first rated-R superhero movie, Deadpool is definitely the most successful. After breaking box office records and earning many positive reviews, there’s been talk about whether more superhero movies will go after that mature rating. With Marvel and DC focused on getting both older and younger viewers into their movies, it’s doubtful that they’ll go past PG-13 for now. In 20th Century Fox’s case, however, they may have more wiggle room with their X-Men entries. At least that’s how producer Simon Kinberg sees it.
When asked whether he could see future X-Men movies being rated R, Simon Kinberg told Collider that some stories might be worth going to that extra level. In his words:
I think there are some stories that could be R-rated. I don’t know what they are, I mean I think the mainline X-Men movies have their own tone, which is a more operatic tone. It’s more dramatic, it is more PG-13 in a way. X-Force I could see being R-rated, and who knows?
Although an X-Force movie was announced back in 2013, it’s since been lingering in development, and it’s Deadpool’s release that renewed conversation about whether we might finally see it. Given that the mutant strike force takes on missions definitely not suitable for young eyes, it would definitely benefit from an R rating, if for nothing else then because Deadpool has been one of its members. Then, of course, there’s Deadpool 2, which will follow in its predecessors footsteps with the vulgar humor and rampant amounts of gore. As for the main X-Men movies, Simon Kinberg is right. Considering the appeal is has towards viewers of all ages, PG-13 is the appropriate balance.
So what other projects does that leave us? Channing Tatum’s Gambit is coming soon, but that spinoff’s action is unlikely to past PG-13 limits. New Mutants is also in development, but since that’s being labeled as a “young adult” movie, you can bet Fox won’t slap on a rating on it that requires a parental accompaniment.
Finally, there’s Wolverine 3, Hugh Jackman’s last appearance in the X-Men film series. Over the years, many fans have asked to see Logan fully cut loose in an R-rated Wolverine movie, akin to the unrated version of The Wolverine. With those claws and his berserker rage, the bloodshed Wolverine could unleash would be more than enough to justify that rating. However, like with the main X-Men movies, Wolverine is popular among many age groups, and since the theatrical releases of his last two movies have been PG-13, it’s hard to see Fox switching it up for Jackman’s last hurrah.
What do you think? Which upcming X-Men movies would you like to see rated R? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
