While some R-Rated superhero movies find great success (Deadpool and Joker, for example), there are others that still struggle. The Suicide Squad just underperformed, and given what a draw Venom is to comic book fans of all ages, no one can blame Sony Pictures for keeping Eddie Brock's adventures PG-13.
There are understandably some fans who would like to see a darker take on the Venom franchise, especially with Cletus Kasady about to make his presence felt in Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
Talking to IGN, director Andy Serkis explained his approach to the sequel and admitted that while "you could go down an R-rated adult version of this," he found ways to push the boundaries of PG-13. "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," Serkis elaborated. "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."
A meeting between Venom and Spider-Man seems inevitable, and that's another reason Sony likely decided to keep these movies PG-13. It sounds like the filmmaker had a great approach to portraying the necessary violence and brutality that a character like Carnage brings to the table, anyway, and we don't have long to wait until we get to see him in action for ourselves on the big screen.
Are you excited for Serkis' take on Eddie and Cletus in Venom: Let There Be Carnage?