The Expendables 2 will be Rated PG-13

Due to the small print in his contract Chuck Norris has ensured that The Expendables 2 will be only be rated PG-13. Not R, like the prequel. Norris who prides himself as being a positive role model and is a patron of several charitable undertakings would not participate in a film that he considered to contain an excess of vulgar language. So the producers, which included Stallone decided agreed to revise the screenplay and overall edit to make the film suitable for a wider audience. According to ExpendablesPremiere, Mr. Norris is quoted as follows:

“In Expendables 2, there was a lot of vulgar dialogue in the screenplay. For this reason, many young people wouldn’t be able to watch this. But I don’t play in movies like this. Due to that I said I won’t be a part of that if the hardcore language is not erased. Producers accepted my conditions and the movie will be classified in the category of PG-13.”

Naturally, this caused ripples in the fan community, so Ain’t it cool News subsequently explored this issue further and received the following statement from Stallone himself:

“Harry, the film is fantastic with Van Damme turning in an inspired performance… Our final battle is one for the ages. The PG13 rumor is true, but before your readers pass judgement, trust me when I say this film is LARGE in every way and delivers on every level. This movie touches on many emotions which we want to share with the broadest audience possible, BUT, fear not, this Barbeque of Grand scale Ass Bashing will not leave anyone hungry…Sly”

Stallone is a very savvy film maker and Lionsgate Pictures are not going to piss on their chips without doing the math first, so it is fair to assume that both these parties do not think that this decision will affect the box office returns. Live Free or Die Hard managed to be an enjoyable film with a PG-13 rating (although I prefer the unrated version) and did financially well. But fans like their action hard edged and you only have to look at the reaction to theatrical version of AVP: Alien vs, Predator, to see how the public care for R rated franchises getting dumbed down. We’ll find out one way or another, in August.