Bob Iger says R-rated movies like Deadpool can have a place at Disney

Now that Disney is officially acquiring 20th Century Fox and all the franchise properties it owns, many comic book fans are wondering how it will affect Fox’s slate of superhero movies. Disney is not known for R-rated ventures, and DEADPOOL and LOGAN saw massive success by giving audiences something different and adult. Some feared that would disappear under Disney, but CEO Bob Iger assures us that won’t be the case and that Deadpool can maintain his delightful depravity.

During a call with investors after the deal with 21st Century Fox (via THR), Iger said DEADPOOL can stay in the R-rated lane and keep the Marvel banner, as long as they do their job to ensure audiences are aware of the content:

It [Deadpool] clearly has been and will be Marvel branded. But we think there might be an opportunity for a Marvel-R brand for something like Deadpool. As long as we let the audiences know what's coming, we think we can manage that fine.

The part of the quote that is most interesting is when he says “Marvel-R brand.” The deal was just made, and it’s way too early to be speculating as to any plans that may happen for the Marvel movies, but it seems Iger is open to doing R-rated Marvel movies, so long as marketing is handled correctly. This could mean more movies like LOGAN are in the cards, DEADPOOL sequels would have their R-ratings, and shows like LEGION on FX could maintain heavier themes.

In fact, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) will probably be given room to make fun of the fact he’s working for Mickey Mouse now, and Reynolds has already taken to Twitter to put out his response to the big deal.

Apparently you can’t actually blow the Matterhorn. pic.twitter.com/2bEAAcZrUv

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 14, 2017

This assurance from Iger will probably calm the hearts of many fans of movies like DEADPOOL, as they felt the character may be “Disney-fied” and neutered at the House of Mouse. But Iger seems smart enough to know that would be a bad move, and Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige would probably be damned before he gave us a PG-13 DEADPOOL movie.  DEADPOOL wouldn't have made as much money or been as loved without its R-rating, and hopefully, everyone at Disney remembers that.  Deadpool doesn't lend himself to the child-friendly market anyway. I mean, was Disney really planning on selling Deadpool-themed feetie pajamas and trapper keepers? I would actually buy both of those. 

DEADPOOL 2 arrives June 1, 2018.