Sly Stallone's The Expendables Could End Up Being PG-13? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 06-20-2009, 02:04 PM

http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/06/...p-being-pg-13/

We've already had at least one big battle this year about a movie's rating (as in, Terminator Salvation). I don't want to start another one, but this is an interesting discussion worth having, especially in relation to a movie I'm excited to see. A few websites were recently on the set of Sylvester Stallone's The Expendables (including AICN) and as part of the visit, they got to talk with producer Avi Lerner. Lerner, who gave UGO these quotes, not only talked about Rambo 5 and that it might eventually happen, but that The Expendables would be testing for both PG-13 and R ratings and the studio would then decide once the reports came in.

When asked if Rambo 5 would be as violent as the most recent Rambo from 2008, Lerner responded with a resounding "no!" He continues: "The story in Burma had to be tackled that way, with extreme and brutal violence so that it portrayed an important aspect of what that story is about. He also told us that they lost at least half the audience for that film with such a hard R, so neither The Expendables nor the Rambo sequel will be as brutal." Lionsgate wants this to be a huge hit and may stick with a PG-13 cut if it tests better (and can bring in a bigger audience). Of course, they'll probably go with the rating that pulls more money.

Based on what we do know - that this is a huge $80 million action movie starring Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Steve Austin, Terry Crews, and Eric Roberts - do you want to see this rated R? Harry Knowles' report from the set includes a lot of mentions about how much practical effects and real explosions are being used and its shaping the way the movie is turning out in the end. With all that, the huge cast, and the story, I can tell you that I definitely do want this to be hard R.

JamesG · 06-21-2009, 12:02 AM

If the theatrical release doesn't wind up being rated R it's not that big of a deal.

They will probably release an unrated version on DVD like what they did for Live Free or Die Hard.

An R-rating doesn't make something great.

Brian Damage · 06-21-2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

If the theatrical release doesn't wind up being rated R it's not that big of a deal.

They will probably release an unrated version on DVD like what they did for Live Free or Die Hard.

An R-rating doesn't make something great.

I see your point, but I respectfully disagree. An R rating doesn't necessarily make something great, but it allows the director to utilize his full vision.

isiahthomas · 06-27-2009, 12:18 PM

Live Free Or Die Hard has a unrated version? I would like to see that. I liked the theatrical release but i was surprised it was PG-13. When is Sylvester's new movie coming out? He has a lot of good action stars in this one.

JamesG · 06-27-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isiahthomas

Live Free Or Die Hard has a unrated version? I would like to see that. I liked the theatrical release but i was surprised it was PG-13. When is Sylvester's new movie coming out? He has a lot of good action stars in this one.

Yep, that's the version I own.

IMDB is setting The Expendables for April 23, 2010.

They released a few photos from the movie:

isiahthomas · 07-11-2009, 01:10 PM

Those photos look good.

JamesG · 07-11-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isiahthomas

Those photos look good.

Yep, I can't wait for this one.

Stallone, Statham, Li, Lundgren, Rourke, Schwarzenegger... it's an action fan's wet dream.

isiahthomas · 07-11-2009, 03:11 PM

I heard that Schwarzenegger has a small part in this one. Schwarzenegger said he did this film because him and Stallone are friends. That was nice of Arnold to do that to take time away from his governor job.

isiahthomas · 07-11-2009, 03:13 PM

Who is that guy in the picture with Eric Roberts jumping? It looks like Stone Cold Steve Austin who's a wrestler. Is he still wrestling?

JamesG · 07-11-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isiahthomas

Who is that guy in the picture with Eric Roberts jumping? It looks like Stone Cold Steve Austin who's a wrestler. Is he still wrestling?

I would guess that is Jason Statham but I could be wrong.

06-20-2009, 02:04 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Sly Stallone's The Expendables Could End Up Being PG-13? http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/06/...p-being-pg-13/ We've already had at least one big battle this year about a movie's rating (as in, Terminator Salvation). I don't want to start another one, but this is an interesting discussion worth having, especially in relation to a movie I'm excited to see. A few websites were recently on the set of Sylvester Stallone's The Expendables (including AICN) and as part of the visit, they got to talk with producer Avi Lerner. Lerner, who gave UGO these quotes, not only talked about Rambo 5 and that it might eventually happen, but that The Expendables would be testing for both PG-13 and R ratings and the studio would then decide once the reports came in. When asked if Rambo 5 would be as violent as the most recent Rambo from 2008, Lerner responded with a resounding "no!" He continues: "The story in Burma had to be tackled that way, with extreme and brutal violence so that it portrayed an important aspect of what that story is about. He also told us that they lost at least half the audience for that film with such a hard R, so neither The Expendables nor the Rambo sequel will be as brutal." Lionsgate wants this to be a huge hit and may stick with a PG-13 cut if it tests better (and can bring in a bigger audience). Of course, they'll probably go with the rating that pulls more money. Based on what we do know - that this is a huge $80 million action movie starring Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Steve Austin, Terry Crews, and Eric Roberts - do you want to see this rated R? Harry Knowles' report from the set includes a lot of mentions about how much practical effects and real explosions are being used and its shaping the way the movie is turning out in the end. With all that, the huge cast, and the story, I can tell you that I definitely do want this to be hard R.
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06-21-2009, 12:02 AM	#2
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,161	If the theatrical release doesn't wind up being rated R it's not that big of a deal. They will probably release an unrated version on DVD like what they did for Live Free or Die Hard. An R-rating doesn't make something great.

06-27-2009, 12:18 PM	#4
isiahthomas Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 20, 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 10,704	Live Free Or Die Hard has a unrated version? I would like to see that. I liked the theatrical release but i was surprised it was PG-13. When is Sylvester's new movie coming out? He has a lot of good action stars in this one.

07-11-2009, 01:10 PM	#6
isiahthomas Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 20, 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 10,704	Those photos look good.

07-11-2009, 03:11 PM	#8
isiahthomas Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 20, 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 10,704	I heard that Schwarzenegger has a small part in this one. Schwarzenegger said he did this film because him and Stallone are friends. That was nice of Arnold to do that to take time away from his governor job.

07-11-2009, 03:13 PM	#9
isiahthomas Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 20, 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 10,704	Who is that guy in the picture with Eric Roberts jumping? It looks like Stone Cold Steve Austin who's a wrestler. Is he still wrestling?