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UPDATED! The Punisher: War Zone Rating Rumor Squashed!
By George 'El Guapo' Roush on August 16, 2008
*Scroll to the bottom for the update* Punisher: War Zone WILL be Rated R!!!!Following up on the story I posted a couple of days ago about a source close to the Punisher: War Zone project telling me Lionsgate is looking for a PG-13 cut, I got a lot of reader feedback on it. Some friendly, some not. The first letter is from Nomad: Dear George, If this is really true, I swear I'll slit my wrists. (not really, just hyperbole). LGF seems determined to ruin this film and I just don't get it. Some say that LGF wants to go mainstream and get out of the niche business, but they just contracted to do Conan, so I can't imagine wtf they're up to. We (fans) want our Punisher with a HARD R as it was originally intended. Keep up the internet pressure on them, George. It's the most we can do. Nomad William S. chimes in with his thoughts: Come on, really? A PG-13 Punisher? Lionsgate, you do not have a DARK KNIGHT on your hands. You don't have the material or the interest invested in this project to do a PG-13 film and even hope to get even 10% of what THE DARK KNIGHT has done theatrically. I grew up reading Punisher and part of his appeal was that he didn't mess around. If he shoots somebody w/ a big @$$ hand-canon, they're going to explode into a hundred, blood pieces. Half of what killed the Thomas Jane film is that it seemed like the director didn't know what he wanted it to be - gritty & realistic, or campy & comical (C'mon, The Russian? He looked like Popeye on 'roids.) Make it R, keep it bloody, keep the body count high, and run for cover. You might just make your budget back and then some. Maybe, even restore the character's respect on film. And get a film composer for your soundtrack. Stop this speed, death metal, guitar crap. THE DARK KNIGHT had two composers and you see what it did for them. Stick to your guns and redeem yourselves. Barry keeps it politically correct while providing a link to a Punisher fan site: Read your story on a PG-13 Punisher. What a fuckshow. Anyway, found this online. These guys seem angry.... http://www.globalpunisherarmy.com/pwztruth/index.html Eric H. wants blood: They're going to do to this what they did to LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD. F*** It up royally!! The punisher is violent and bordering on sadistic. Batman is not as... creative in his crime fighting ways. If they make Punisher PG-13, I say a boycott against all that is LIONSGATE is sorely needed! Ken keeps it simple: If The Punisher ain't R, I don't want to see it. The Red band trailer was awesome - They better not fuck this up. William says to wise up people! If you don't want to recoup on your financial investment, then by all means yes...release it pg13. Otherwise I suggest you leave it r-rated. Punisher is a b list character in proportions with Rambo, he audience is late teen to adult. If you don't please the core fans word of mouth will kill this production within 2 days, wise up. Casey gives his opinion: The moment I saw that article I instantly though "Biggest pile ever." For started the Red Band was extremely violent (and popular) and they touted Punisher as being a hard-R violent brutal kill fest since the film was announced. I highly doubt that its going to be PG-13. There's a lot more but I'll end it with Filmschoolrejects saying we're filled to the brim with piping hot bullshit: There is a rumor that has started circulating around this little thing called “the internet” that Lionsgate is pushing for the next installment of The Punisher to be rated PG-13. Given all we know of the franchise, this immediately smelled foul. Not being without charms and fully utilizing our ruggedly handsome looks, we tracked down our own source who is, of course, “close to the production.” Their word? “Bullshit.” We could add some words in front of that, like “complete,” “total,” or “utter,” but it throws off the feng-shui of the post, but they would be appropriate. It looks like this originated over at Latino Review, who indicate that they have their own source. Now, I love those Latino Review guys, but I have no idea who they’re talking to. I do, however, definitely know our source and know that I trust them completely. Punisher: War Zone will be Rated R for Rambo-Levels of violence. Which is a good thing, because the kill count of Rambo (another Lionsgate release) was 236 and featured some of the best gore violence in years. Now, while being Rated-R, the film is still facing a troubled production run, detailed by our Neil Miller at the end of last month. Who knows what else is going on in making the film “presentable,” though it probably has to do mostly with timing. While our source is more than enough for me, for you kids keeping count at home there are a few other things to keep in mind. First, former Marvel Entertainment CEO Avi Arad (and current Marvel producing partner) Avi Arad has always said that The Punisher was one character who would carry the R-Rating at Marvel (the other being Blade). Second, producer Gale Anne Hurd spoke at great length at Comic Con about the film and stressed the level of violence that would be in the film. Lastly, the exclusive footage shown at Comic Con, which was very well received, was definitely from a film that was Rated R, and it was the point they were selling - brutal. In summation, this PG-13 rumor is total “bullshit.” Punisher: War Zone is still not a ship sailing smoothly, but it will come to theaters with that Rated R stamp all over it on December 5. Now, If Filmschoolrejects is right, then I'm a happy camper. I posted my story because I DID NOT want what my source told me to be true. So if we get our hard 'R' rated Punisher like we want, then the fans win. And that ain't no "bullshit". Complete, total, or utter. *UPDATE* Reader Nomad sent this in from the Raw Studios forum board. Steve Gainer, Director of Photography on the film, had this to say: Lexi is not off the film Lexi is still involved in the edit process The film is not (nor could it ever be) PG-13 Today I saw a cut that ran 91 minutes Lexi did in fact get married Lexi is an incredibly talented director, and this film kicks major ass, as will be proven when it is released IN THEATRES DECEMBER 5th The film is most certainly not all exploding heads, but will reveal a great deal of Franks personna and pain This film has been difficult from the begining, from a bitter Canadian winter, to endless nights, to rampant sickness, Lexi has fought to make a killer Punisher film for fans and non fans alike. Initially we were to release in September, but for whatever reason (not the quality of the film or edit IMHO) it was decided to release in December. That extra time has given everyone a chance to put their two cents worth in, but rest assured, Lexi is still stearing the boat, and she is a great captain. When I hear vicious unfounded troll rumors like the "film was unwatchable" or "a total mess" it makes my blood boil. I want to punish the corrupt. People sit on their fat asses trolling the internet, people that have never even looked through a motion picture camera, and make judgements on a work of art that they've never seen, it's like saying a baby will be ugly before it is born, I can't freaking wait for this film to come out and prove the nay-sayers wrong. Sorry for the rant, I just love something wonderful you have yet to see- sg,asc Well, nobody here has said the film was a mess or unwatchable, so he must be talking about other websites or reporters. I haven't seen it, so I can't judge it yet. But this is another source saying it will stay 'R' rated, which is great news! But 91 minutes? That enough time for some character development, or is the action going to all be in the third act of the film? That's just one cut though, so who knows about the actual final runtime. We'll all have to wait and see! Another update! It WILL be Rated R! Good news! (Plus this gives me a an excuse to go punch my source square in the bread basket.) Win win for everyone! E-mail: george@latinoreview.com
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Comments
R - now ur talkin' Wed Aug 20 at 06:08 EST
Good thing they got back that R rating.The Punsiher is all about gore and blood; thats what LGF does best with the SAW series up its sleeves. Yes, Lexi Alexander looks like an excellent director, but I expected that Marvel would market the movie with a mainstream studio like Warner Bros , then we'd get better stars, and a better music score. As a Punisher fan, I completely trust Lexi's direction. Can't wait for it NOTE to LGF: Dont compare yourselves to The Dark Knight; the movie was awesome with a PG13 rating because Batman isn't the kind of guy who kills people or slices villains' heads off.
Author: Ronn | Permalink
just like midnight meat train Sun Aug 17 at 19:17 EST
If it ain't Saw, they don't two craps about it.
Author: Hot Dog | Permalink
if pg-13.... Sun Aug 17 at 19:04 EST
if its true that punisher will be pg13 then i feel let down because ever since i heard about this new punisher i went and bought some of the MAX series and i loved that way it was written. but it seems LGF has took that away from me D:
Author: !_! | Permalink
what are Lionsgate thinking Sun Aug 17 at 05:42 EST
Its Punisher not Punishe, do the math keep it R Rated
Author: Drew Early | Permalink
Concerned Sun Aug 17 at 00:58 EST
What is going on with the director? But more importantly to everyone Lions Gate do not release this as a PG-13 movie this is not Batman. I'm really looking forward to this movie I have watched the trailer many times and I am glad someone finally got the right actor for the role of the Punisher Ray Stevenson is perfect. If the chief executives at Lions Gate release the PG-13 cut of the film they will lose my money at theater and I will not purchase the DVD unless it's rated R. please listen to the fans release the rated R. cut of film
Author: movie ghoul | Permalink
Robocop 3 anyone? Sun Aug 17 at 00:22 EST
If the rumor proves true then it would seem that they stole this idea from the Robocop play book. Replace good actor with sub-par actor, and attach kid friendly rating to an established ultra-violent franchise. Release on an unwitting public and watch the universe collapse on itself. Of course, if the rumor is false, the movie is still F'd without Thomas Jane. I'm not gonna see it.
Author: imautobot | Permalink
lgf listening to this? Sat Aug 16 at 15:25 EST
well i hope lgf is reading all these feedbacks but yet again i dont think they care all there looking it at $$$
Author: !_! | Permalink
More good news about PWZ Sat Aug 16 at 13:26 EST
I found this post over on the RAW Entertainment message board. Oh was I THRILLED to see it. It's from Steve Gainer, cinematographer for Punisher: War Zone for those of you who don't know. This post is very legit. Steve is a sometimes poster at RAW and at IMDB. He's the real thing. Steve, this is the post that people from Lion's Gate SHOULD have made but didn't. THANK YOU, Steve. From the bottom of my heart, thank you! Holy smokes, I go away and shoot some kids stuff for Disney, and the whole world is a different color when I return. Again I appear here to dispel rumors. Please believe: Lexi is not off the film Lexi is still involved in the edit process The film is not (nor could it ever be) PG-13 Today I saw a cut that ran 91 minutes Lexi did in fact get married Lexi is an incredibly talented director, and this film kicks major ass, as will be proven when it is released IN THEATRES DECEMBER 5th The film is most certainly not all exploding heads, but will reveal a great deal of Franks personna and pain This film has been difficult from the begining, from a bitter Canadian winter, to endless nights, to rampant sickness, Lexi has fought to make a killer Punisher film for fans and non fans alike. Initially we were to release in September, but for whatever reason (not the quality of the film or edit IMHO) it was decided to release in December. That extra time has given everyone a chance to put their two cents worth in, but rest assured, Lexi is still stearing the boat, and she is a great captain. When I hear vicious unfounded troll rumors like the "film was unwatchable" or "a total mess" it makes my blood boil. I want to punish the corrupt. People sit on their fat asses trolling the internet, people that have never even looked through a motion picture camera, and make judgements on a work of art that they've never seen, it's like saying a baby will be ugly before it is born, I can't freaking wait for this film to come out and prove the nay-sayers wrong. Sorry for the rant, I just love something wonderful you have yet to see- sg,asc http://rawstudios.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=55&st=2060& amp; amp;gopid=12162&#entry12162 (Post #2062) Nomad
Author: Nomad | Permalink
Cant stop the Guap Sat Aug 16 at 11:56 EST
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You Rock
Author: Larry | Permalink
WTF Sat Aug 16 at 10:54 EST
I guess they figured lets not piss off the fans and leave it R rated before shit really hits the fan. But really who gives a shit about THE PUNISHER. And I agree WHY DID ALL THE STUFF FROM LEXI ALEXANDER site off about The Punisher. Last thing to note all you at LR, I know for a fact that the story your guys ran is right on, I know one of the main actors in the film and he said yes they want to make it PG 13. But you know how Hollywood works, one minute they say one thing the next they say another.
Author: Stacy | Permalink
Important stuff! Sat Aug 16 at 08:04 EST
'd still like to know more about what happened to Lexi Alexander? Why the heck is she staying quiet? This would be a good story! Fuck Gale Anne Heard and Avi Arad. What attracted me to this movie was the fact that a young woman was at the director's chair on a violent film. This is not a common thing in Hollywood! I'm surprised that all you movie news folks never covered that angle? Why has she removed all Punisher shit from her site? If she got fired then her story on the how's and why's would be great. Forget about who's inside scoop is better or who has the bigger movie news dick. Let's get some juice scoops!!!
Author: Rolando | Permalink