Over the last year, R-rated films have noticeably took home box office gold, with last year's "Deadpool," and "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" coming out with an R-rated version on the Blu-ray edition. There's also this year's massive hit, "Logan," which didn't hold back on the bloodshed, action, and violence in Hugh Jackman's last outing as Wolverine. One of this year's most highly anticipated films isn't R-rated, however, and director Patty Jenkins recently explained why it was vital for the upcoming "Wonder Woman" to be rated PG-13, despite having themes revolving around the very violent World War I.
Patty Jenkins pushed for PG-13 for young viewers
"Wonder Woman" is arguably one of the most anticipated films of the year, and it has already received much praise from those who have already previewed the film, which stars Gal Gadot as the titular character. In talking to Cinema Blend, director Patty Jenkins talked about its PG-13 rating, saying, "I cared a lot about it never being an R-rating...in this case I was very aware that little girls were going to want to see the film, and I was very protective of that. So it had to not be Rated R to me."
The "Wonder Woman" director also admitted that if she could only have her way, the film would be rated PG, and not just PG-13. Patty Jenkins added that while she does have a respect for R-rated films, she was well aware that younger viewers, especially girls, would be going to see the first-ever female superhero film to hit the big screen.
This feat is something that DC has gone ahead with, as Marvel has yet to release "Captain Marvel" with Brie Larson which is set for March 2019. One could say that DC is already paving the way for more female-led superhero films, with the upcoming "Sirens Of Gotham," which will be led by Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn for a 2018 release.
Gal Gadot speaks out on female role models
When the "Wonder Woman" star visited The Ellen Show last year, she spoke out about how she wanted her daughter to have strong female role models as well. Gal Gadot said, "One time, I was telling [my daughter, Alma] a story and she said the prince is always so brave and courageous and strong.
And then I asked her, and what do you think about the princess? And she said, (nonchalantly) yeah. And I ask her why do you say that? And then she says, they always fall asleep and then the prince [is] the one to wake them up, and they do nothing. And that made me feel really good about playing Wonder Woman."
"Wonder Woman" hits theaters on June 2.