Filmmakers and critics have never shied away from calling out the MPA for their arbitrary and confusing ratings. The rating system imposed by the organization has proven to be quite controversial, with numerous projects receiving ratings that didn’t fit the visions of the filmmakers. Because of this, it’s not uncommon for directors to appeal ratings, with Wes Anderson notably fighting the MPA over the original “Asteroid City” rating and winning.
It seems like tackling the MPA was an uphill battle for director Zack Snyder. He had to retool “Batman v Superman” to fit the PG-13 rating, which would allow the blockbuster epic to be seen by the widest audience possible. While speaking at SnyderCon 2023 (via The Direct), Snyder reflected on how the MPA was disappointed that Batman was too mean to Superman. “How about they just team up and like each other?’ How about that? … Maybe, they like argue at the first act, but then they shake hands, and then like they fight the bad guy together,'” Snyder recalled the MPA telling him.
Ultimately, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” ended up in multiplexes with a PG-13 rating, but not without some cuts and tweaks. Warner Bros., which originally had its own negative thoughts about the superhero film, eventually allowed Snyder to release an R-rated director’s cut of the film, which featured more gore and violence. That version also ended up being 30 minutes longer than the theatrically released 151-minute film.
