Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Batman director Matt Reeves shoots down speculation about an R-rated cut

DC superhero thriller has been rated PG-13 in the US

Inga Parkel
Thursday 03 March 2022 17:45 GMT
Comments
The Batman: Trailer released for new film starring Robert Pattinson

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

Matt Reeves, the writer and director of The Batman, has shot down speculation about an explicit R-rated cut.

The forthcoming reboot, starring Robert Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz, has been described as a “gritty” and “edgy” reimagining of the popular superhero – prompting fans to speculate that an explicit R-rated cut could be on the cards.

However, Reeves has now confirmed that the film was always intended to be released with a more child-friendly PG-13 rating (though it has received a 15 rating in the UK).

“In my mind, the movie was always going to be a gritty, edgy, noir, thrilling spectacle that was PG-13,” Reeves told Den of Geek.

Without nudity and foul language, the movie was able to nab a PG-13 rating despite its dark tone and scenes of violence.

The filmmaker assured fans that speculation about a prospective #ReevesCut was entirely false.

“There isn’t some special cut of this movie where it’s like, ‘Oh yeah, here’s the R rating that you’ve been desperately wanting,’” Reeves said. “I didn’t have to suddenly start drastically cutting the movie or anything like that.”

Robert Pattinson on set for ‘The Batman’
Robert Pattinson on set for ‘The Batman’ (Colin McPherson)

He added that some of his influences did, however, include R-rated classics such as Taxi Driver, Chinatown, and The French Connection, in an interview with Moviemaker Magazine.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in