The PG-13 rating for Venom: Let There Be Carnage has been a bone of contention for many fans because they had hopes that the Venom sequel would’ve received an R-rating, especially with the introduction of Cletus Kasady, aka Carnage. Director Andy Serkis has said that the film pushes the boundaries of its PG-13 rating and that the rating was ultimately chosen to appeal to its target demographic. Despite this rating being chosen, star Tom Hardy has revealed that an R-rating was seriously considered for the film before eventually settling on its PG-13 rating.
During a chat with ComicBook, Tom Hardy spoke on the matter of the film’s rating and explained that going with an R-rating was 100% considered but went on to say that going as extreme as the original comic books wasn’t what they were there to do. Here is what he had to say:
“100% we considered it. With all of these symbiotes, you know, you consider it. You read the comic books and it is extreme, but that’s not what we’re here to do. We came here to make a movie which, and correct me if I’m wrong, I mean, there’s a law and a rule into creating a movie that’s accessible to a lot of people, as well as that caters for everybody, including the hardcore fans. So I hope the hardcore fans at least take home that they look at Carnage and go, “Yeah, I recognize Carnage from the comic books. I’m happy with that.” And yeah, no, we didn’t bite everybody’s head off, but we did stick a tongue down someone’s throat pretty… and managed to come in at a level of rating which is reputable so that grandma can come but also I’ll come watch it too.”
Venom: Let There Be Carnage earned its PG-13 rating “for intense sequences of violence and action, some strong language, disturbing material, and suggestive references.” In a similar fashion, 2018’s Venom was rated PG-13 “for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for language”. Director Andy Serkis just recently spoke on the matter of the PG-13 rating and said, “You could go down an R-rated adult version of this. Of course you could. You could have done that with the last film. But we wanted to reach a big audience with this and… there are several rules you have to abide by. However, having said that, I think we have pushed to the very limits [with] the danger and darkness and the threat and the menace of Carnage. […] Just because you don’t see so much gore — perhaps there’s not so much blood or… seeing heads being bitten off — you can still suggest that. The suggestion, leaving it to the audience’s imagination, can be just as powerful. I think that’s just what we managed to do. It’s certainly not shying away from the darkness. And the real heart of Carnage as a character isn’t compromised at all.” Essentially, he believes they accomplished pushing the boundaries while also maintaining its need to appeal to a broad audience.
Directed by Andy Serkis with a screenplay from Kelly Marcel, Tom Hardy returns as Eddie Brock/Venom alongside Woody Harrelson, who is bringing one of Venom’s biggest adversaries, Cletus Kasady/Carnage, to life. Kasady is a psychotic serial killer who also becomes the host of an alien symbiote known as Carnage. Also new to the franchise is Naomie Harris, playing the role of Shriek, Kasady’s love interest. Michelle Williams returns as Eddie’s ex-fiancee, district attorney Anne Weying, while Reid Scott rounds out the cast as Anne’s boyfriend.
Do YOU think Venom: Let There Be Carnage should’ve gone for that R-rating? The Venom sequel hits screens on October 1, 2021.