‘Blade Runner 2049’ Will Get R Rating, Might Get Sequels
We still have a lot of unanswered questions aboutBlade Runner 2049, whichunveiled its first trailerjust yesterday. But directorDenis Villeneuveis happy to lay one of your concerns to rest right now: yes, it’ll be rated R, just like the originalBlade Runnerwas. Read his comments on theBlade Runner 2049R rating below, as well as his thoughts on the possibility of moreBlade Runnersequels.
Villeneuve confirmed theBlade Runner 2049R rating in a conversation withScreen Daily. “My producers are finding it fun to remind me that it will be one of the most expensive R-rated independent feature films ever made,” he said. (AlthoughBlade Runner 2049is being distributed by Warner Bros., it’s produced by Alcon Entertainment, which explains the “independent” designation.) The originalBlade Runnerwas rated R for violence. Villeneuve has often worked in R-rated territory. While his most recent release,Arrival, was a PG-13 affair,Sicario,Enemy, andPrisonerswere all R.
The trade suggests the recent success ofDeadpoolmay have had something to do with the decision to go R withBlade Runner 2049. While I’m sure there were many other factors that went into that decision,Deadpool’s $760 million gross probably didn’t hurt. If nothing else, it served as concrete proof that a film can go R-rated and still make tons of money — like, PG-13 superhero blockbuster-level money. Other major R-rated releases coming up includeLoganandAlien: Covenant.
Whether that decision pans out for Villeneuve andBlade Runner 2049remains to be seen, of course. But if the film is a hit, Villeneuve seems open to the idea of returning to that universe. Or maybe just doing more sci-fi in general. “I’m doomed, I love sci-fi. I have two more ideas now that I would love to do,” he said. “[And]Blade Runner could go on… we’ll see how this one goes.”
