1. I say..who cares! The Dark Knight was PG-13 and probably should of been R so we get another lame PG-13 Publisher movie that should be R but the MPAA is asleep at the helm.

Posted at 10:38AM on Aug 15th 2008 by Atomic Popcorn

2. What sex and violence was in the Dark Knight that would have made it R? The disappearing bloodless pencil, the lack of naked, or dry bullet holes? While the theme of the movie was dark, Punisher is practically gory compared to Dark Knight.

If Lionsgate really thinks that PG-13 is the way to go, then they should make a PG-13 sequel of Saw. I bet that'll do real well too...

Posted at 12:12PM on Aug 15th 2008 by David S

3. I think you are incorrect to say "ANOTHER" PG-13 Punisher.
Hensleigh's 2004 Punisher was "R", and was insanely violent. Even the old Dolph Lundgren 1989 version was an "R". It would be the first "PG-13" Punisher.
I guess what you probably meant is that this will be yet another PG-13, watered down action flick. It just didn't read that way.

Posted at 10:52AM on Aug 15th 2008 by techstar25

4. That was the editor's mistake, not mine. I plead complete innocence.

Posted at 11:56AM on Aug 15th 2008 by Elisabeth

5. FAIL

Posted at 10:55AM on Aug 15th 2008 by John R

6. After watching the trailer again, I'm afraid if you try and make it PG13 you won't have a film left. At this point I think we can give up on Punisher, Lionsgate's has killed it by their own ineptitude. I just feel really bad for Ray Stevenson...

I was really looking forward to this film too, if only for the cathartic release of pent up holiday emotion and the chance to look at Ray Stevenson...

Posted at 11:29AM on Aug 15th 2008 by Julie

7. Based on the trailer, I think this version of the Punisher would only be about 20 minutes long if it were PG-13.

Posted at 11:46AM on Aug 15th 2008 by Wayne

8. That trailer is quite kick ass. They want to cut it down now? Bah.

Posted at 11:52AM on Aug 15th 2008 by dukrous

9. From the R rated trailer the film looks really sweet and a definite departure form the previous versions - highly badass!!

If it comes out with a PG-13 more than half of the scenes from the trailer will have to be cut...I understand a studios concern and choice to make a more profitable movie but this film deserves to be as tough as it can be - let the R rating stand and I may actually watch it in the theater.

Posted at 11:56AM on Aug 15th 2008 by mcafee_matthew

10. I love violence in films, I am the least moralistic about it but I think there is a time in which some things become old and in your face shock value is one of those things. The high success of Dark Knight is that it's well balanced (maybe too many explosions if you ask me) but overall, it privileges wit over gore. In my humble way of seeing things, this Punisher should have re invented itself to a more cunning warrior, rather than a remake of the 2004 unnecessarily sadistic film. Take the Godfather movies for example, they have some bad ass violence, blood coming out of heads and eye suckets, but it doesn't overtake the film. R or 13, this movie seems just another kill all for revenge film, Tarantino did it too well already.

Posted at 1:12PM on Aug 15th 2008 by Mr. R

11. I've seen the redband trailer. If you cut that movie to PG13 there won't be any movie left. Stick with the R.

Posted at 1:42PM on Aug 15th 2008 by Niko

12. If you make a good film, the rating shouldn't matter. The Punisher series (and films like it) hype up the violence aspect to cover over the fact that they are not very good movies. Give me a smart script and I'll go see the movie no matter what the rating, but the rating itself doesn't guide me. I thought they did a terrific job with Die Hard 4 -- it was smart and funny and I wasn't affected one bit by the PG-13 rating. When it came out on DVD, I watched the R version too, and it really didn't matter. PG-13 or R, just make a good movie and people will come to see it.

Posted at 1:59PM on Aug 15th 2008 by Professor X

13. all hope for this movie died when Thomas Jane left. period.

Posted at 2:26PM on Aug 15th 2008 by carg0

14. That story never rang true to me. I believe THIS guy:

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? *beep*

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 *beep* 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. And just in case you need more evidence of the R-Ratedness, have a look at the clip below, which was launched a few weeks back at Comic-Con.

http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/punisher-still-to-punish-in-r-ra ted-way.php

Posted at 5:28PM on Aug 15th 2008 by Nomad