FEATURE: Five Ideas for R-Rated Movies from Warner Bros./DC

Following the success of Deadpool last month, comic book fans have heavily discussed how it would impact future superhero movies, with its R rating being one of the biggest talking points. Should more comic book films be rated R, or should they strive for quality regardless of the rating?

This debate only advanced further with the announcement of an R-rated Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice director’s cut, set to hit home video later this year. Currently, however, Warner Bros. plans to keep all of its theatrical DC releases PG-13. Could that change in the future? Possibly. And if the studio does change its mind, then here is a list of ideas for potential R-rated DC movies.

Lobo

It was just announced this week that a Lobo movie is in development again, with Wonder Woman scribe Jason Fuchs writing the script. Fuchs is starting from scratch for this script, so precise plot details are unknown. However, I can easily see this being the first R-rated film in the DC Extended Universe.

If Warner Bros. wanted a DC movie that is a response to Deadpool, then Lobo is the obvious choice. Like Deadpool, Lobo is a wacky, hyper-violent and mature antihero who would easily appeal to older audiences. Lobo’s brand of humor would work well with fans of Deadpool, a character who already has a huge fanbase. So, Lobo has potential to be a big hit.

A Lobo movie would explore the more adult-oriented corner of the DCEU. And frankly, it would be something completely different from the studio’s other films.

Deathstroke

Slade Wilson is a mercenary and assassin who has gone on to become a fan-favorite in the DC Universe. Following rumors of a big screen appearance, Deathstroke is definitely appearing in something DC-related after being pulled from Arrow. Personally, I’d love to see Deathstroke get his own film, and he’s another character who would benefit from an R-rated environment.

A lower budget, R-rated Deathstroke movie has plenty of potential. There would be bloody sword fights and gunshots, and it would again explore a corner of the DCEU that hasn’t been uncovered by the other films. Basically, imagine a Deathstroke film in the style of Dredd. Also, a movie starring Slade Wilson would be a great answer to Deadpool, a character who ~~ripped off~~ is a parody of Deathstroke.

Hopefully, we see Slade Wilson in the DCEU sooner than later, preferably in his own movie.

Constantine/Hellblazer

John Constantine is expected to return to the big screen with the planned Justice League Dark film. The targeted rating for that film is unknown, but if it’s a success, then maybe Constantine can be spun off into his own film. And perhaps that movie could be rated R.

The Hellblazer comic from DC/Vertigo was slapped with a “Suggested for Mature Readers” label, while the character’s last cinematic outing, 2005’s Constantine, was rated R. So, it would make sense to produce another Constantine film aimed at an older audience. A new movie starring John Constantine would heavily explore the supernatural side of the DCEU, and it would fully embrace the horror roots of the comic without limitations.

The Question

Another “Suggested for Mature Readers” comic published by DC was The Question, aka journalist Vic Sage. It’s a surprise that the character hasn’t appeared in any of the recent DC movies or television shows yet, but hopefully, the character will get his own movie down the line. And, again, it would work well with an R-rating.

A Question film would theoretically be a gritty, complex crime thriller geared towards an older audience. Imagine a politically-charged, street-level movie set in the DCEU. It would add more variety to the DCEU slate, as well as the CBM genre in general.

Suicide Squad 2

Warner Bros. has made it clear that Suicide Squad is targeting a PG-13 rating, despite some fans wanting it to be R. But what about the sequel? A second movie is reportedly in the works already, with the studio wanting director David Ayer and star Will Smith to be ready to shoot by 2017. So, maybe this sequel will explore the team’s full potential and embrace an R rating.

A Suicide Squad movie without any limitations in violence would suit the material well. After all, it’s difficult to portray a character’s head exploding in a live action PG-13 film. Additionally, the team is comprised of bad guys; murderers, thieves, and outright despicable people. So, the concept would arguably work better in an R-rated setting than PG-13.

However, if the theatrical versions of the Suicide Squad movies will remain PG-13, there’s still the possibility of an R-rated director’s cut for home video.

Honorable Mentions: Batman, Deadman, Hawkman, Green Arrow, Deadshot

Which potential R-rated movies from Warner Bros./DC would you like to see?