The Untapped Power of R-Rated Superhero Movies: DC Director Reveals Game-Changing Insights

James Mangold, an up-and-coming director in the DC Universe, has expressed the primary advantage of creating an R-rated superhero film. Mangold, known for his work on The Wolverine and Logan in the X-Men franchise, both of which were R-rated, is set to write and direct Swamp Thing for the DC Universe. Reflecting on his experience with Logan, Mangold shared his perspective on the benefits of R-ratings in superhero cinema during an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast while promoting Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. When asked about discussions regarding an R-rating for the upcoming DC Swamp Thing movie, Mangold clarified that no such conversations have taken place between him and Gunn yet. However, he proceeded to elaborate on his thoughts regarding the advantages of incorporating R-ratings in superhero films.

Mangold's perspective is a refreshing one, as many directors would probably enjoy the freedom to make superhero films more mature by incorporating gore, violence, and explicit language. However, Mangold believes that the true advantage of an R-rating lies in its influence on the storytelling. In the case of Logan, for instance, he highlights an almost eight-minute scene involving Patrick Stewart and Hugh Jackman inside a water tower. According to Mangold, it would be difficult to include such a lengthy, dialogue-driven scene between two middle-aged men discussing their past in a movie targeted towards younger viewers. The R-rating allows for more creative freedom and opens up greater possibilities, even if it's not solely utilized for its intended purpose.

How Marvel And DC Are Planning To Use R-Rated Movies Moving Forward

Mangold's comments highlight that both Marvel and DC have become more accepting of R-rated movies in recent years. DC has released R-rated films such as Birds of Prey, The Suicide Squad, and Zack Snyder's Justice League. With Gunn involved in writing and directing The Suicide Squad, it is clear that he is open to R-rated superhero films, which may also be seen in "Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters" of the DCU. It is possible that Mangold's Swamp Thing could also receive an R-rating, although there has been no confirmation yet.

As for Marvel Studios, there is one confirmed R-rated project, Deadpool 3. Marvel Studios is committed to maintaining the same tone and feel as the previous Fox films, despite the character transitioning to the MCU. It remains unclear if Marvel Studios will continue to explore R-ratings, but fans requesting more serious and grounded stories from the studio might find Mangold's comments compelling.

Source: Happy Sad Confused