Ep 27. Will 'Black Widow' Be Rated R?

Welcome to the IMDbrief, your bite-sized rundown of the week's trending topics on IMDb.

On this episode, we're discussing the upcoming Marvel movie "Black Widow" and the question on everyone's mind - will it get an R rating?

First, let's recap what we know about the movie so far. "Black Widow" will be the first Marvel Cinematic Universe movie to be released since "Spider-Man: Far From Home" in 2019. It follows Natasha Romanoff, played by Scarlett Johansson, on a globe-trotting adventure after the events of "Captain America: Civil War."

Joining Johansson in the cast are Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, David Harbour as Red Guardian, and Rachel Weisz as Melina Vostokoff. Cate Shortland is directing, with a screenplay by Jac Schaeffer.

Now, let's dive into the question of the movie's rating. Many fans and even some cast members have expressed a desire for an R rating, citing the character's darker past and the opportunity for a grittier, more mature story.

However, Marvel Studios has historically aimed for a PG-13 rating for all their movies, in order to appeal to a broader audience. This has led some to speculate that "Black Widow" will also be PG-13.

But recently, there have been rumors that Marvel may be considering an R rating for the movie. These rumors began when David Harbour, who plays Red Guardian in the film, made a comment in an interview suggesting that the studio was open to the idea.

Since then, other sources have weighed in, including a report from MCU Cosmic claiming that the film has been submitted to the Motion Picture Association for a rating, and that there is a strong possibility it will receive an R.

So, what would an R rating mean for "Black Widow"? First and foremost, it would allow the filmmakers to delve deeper into the character's traumatic past and explore some darker themes. It could also mean more graphic violence and language.

On the other hand, an R rating would limit the movie's potential audience and could hurt its box office performance. Marvel has a proven track record of making movies that appeal to all ages, and an R-rated "Black Widow" would be a departure from that.

Additionally, some fans have expressed concern that an R rating could be a marketing ploy to appeal to a certain demographic, rather than a creative decision with the character's best interests at heart.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to give "Black Widow" an R rating lies with Marvel Studios and the MPAA. Until an official rating is announced, fans will have to continue speculating and debating.

So, that's the latest on the debate over "Black Widow's" rating. Whether it ends up being PG-13 or R, one thing is for sure - fans are eagerly anticipating the character's solo adventure on the big screen.