Matt Reeves: The Batman Was Always PG-13, No R-Rated Cut Exists

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Matt Reeves: The Batman Was Always PG-13, No R-Rated Cut Exists

When Matt Reeves’ The Batman was first announced to be a PG-13 rated film, many fans wondered if a darker, R-rated cut of the film would turn up at some point. According to the director, though, no such version of the movie exists.

“In my mind, the movie was always going to be a gritty, edgy, noir, thrilling spectacle that was PG-13,” Reeves said in an interview with Den of Geek. “That was always what it was, but I always knew that we’d be pushing the limits of what that could be, and so we didn’t really have to cut anything. The promotional materials that you’re seeing, they’re fully reflective of the tone of the movie.”

Reeves went on to say that because the film was always planned out as a PG-13 spectacle, there will be no “Reeves Cut” or anything like that. “There isn’t some special cut of this movie where it’s like, ‘Oh yeah, here’s the R rating that you’ve been desperately wanting,’” he said. “I didn’t have to suddenly start drastically cutting the movie or anything like that.”

The Batman is directed by Matt Reeves from a screenplay he co-wrote with Peter Craig. The superhero film will see Robert Pattinson taking on the mantle of the Dark Knight.

“Two years of stalking the streets as the Batman, striking fear into the hearts of criminals, has led Bruce Wayne deep into the shadows of Gotham City. With only a few trusted allies — Alfred Pennyworth, Lt. James Gordon — amongst the city’s corrupt network of officials and high-profile figures, the lone vigilante has established himself as the sole embodiment of vengeance amongst his fellow citizens,” reads the synopsis. “When a killer targets Gotham’s elite with a series of sadistic machinations, a trail of cryptic clues sends the World’s Greatest Detective on an investigation into the underworld, where he encounters such characters as Selina Kyle/aka Catwoman, Oswald Cobblepot/aka the Penguin, Carmine Falcone, and Edward Nashton/aka the Riddler. As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator’s plans becomes clear, Batman must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit, and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued Gotham City.”

Joining Pattinson are Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Paul Dano as Riddler, Jeffrey Wright as GCPD’s James Gordon, John Turturro as Carmine Falcone, Peter as Gotham D.A. Gil Colson, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, and Colin Ferrell as Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin. It will also feature Barry Keoghan, Jayme Lawson, Alex Ferns, and twins Max and Charlie Carver.

In addition to the upcoming film, Reeves is also currently developing two HBO Max series that will be set within the film’s universe. This includes a Gotham City Police project, and Penguin-centered series starring Colin Farrell.