Batman The Killing Joke animated movie to be rated R

I am all in for this one. 
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has accepted the MPAA’s “R” rating for its upcoming animated film, Batman: The Killing Joke, choosing to remain true to the landmark DC Comics graphic novel’s violent, controversial story, and making the film the first non-PG/PG-13 rated movie in the nine-year history of the DC Universe Original Movie franchise.

Batman: The Killing Joke, one of the best-selling graphic novels in history, tells the tale of The Joker’s origin story – from his humble beginnings as a struggling comic, to his fateful encounter with Batman that changes both of their lives forever. Actors Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill reprise their Batman: The Animated Series roles as Batman and The Joker, respectively.
Since its inception in 2007, the DC Universe Original Movie franchise has brought classic and current DC Comics stories and characters to animated life through a series of primarily PG-13 rated films. Throughout the 26-film history of this popular franchise, Warner Bros. Animation, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment have crafted animated productions that appeal to the adult fan – from adaptations of fan favorite stories (Superman: Doomsday, Justice League: The New Frontier, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns) to liberal adaptations of contemporary tales (Justice League: Throne of Atlantis, Batman: Bad Blood, Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox) to original narratives (Batman: Gotham Knight, Wonder Woman, Justice League: Gods & Monsters).
Animation visionary Bruce Timm guided the DC Universe Original Movie franchise for its initial 16 films, then returned last summer with his own original story, Justice League: Gods & Monsters. Timm takes the reigns once again for Batman: The Killing Joke, reuniting a trio of actors (Conroy, Hamill & Tara Strong) from the game-changing Batman: The Animated Series cast to add even greater reverence to this heralded tale. Recognizing the fans’ dedication to the highly acclaimed graphic novel, Timm has worked meticulously to accurately maintain the intense adult content of The Killing Joke.
“From the start of production, we encouraged producer Bruce Timm and our team at Warner Bros. Animation to remain faithful to the original story – regardless of the eventual MPAA rating,” said Sam Register, President, Warner Bros. Animation & Warner Digital Series. “The Killing Joke is revered by the fans, particularly for its blunt, often-shocking adult themes and situations. We felt it was our responsibility to present our core audience – the comics-loving community – with an animated film that authentically represented the tale they know all too well.”
At this time, there are no plans for an edited, PG-13 version of the film.

16 thoughts on “Batman The Killing Joke animated movie to be rated R”

  1. Can I make an unrelated comment about the first Gwenpool 1 issue? I actually enjoyed it. Am I alone on this? I thought the script was funny. I enjoyed her interactions with the supporting characters. The villain revealed as the first major antagonist of the series is one of my favorites. And the cliffhanger actually added some emotional depth to the book.
    I don’t know why there’s so much hate on Gwenpool, and to a lesser extent Spider-Gwen. I don’t really get the whole “cash grab argument.” Marvel is a business, and wants to make money. But I still think they make an effort to give us quality titles. Marvel puts out some great books and some crappy books, irrespective of how or why the main character was created.
    New characters are created in two ways. The first, and more common approach, is organically. They first appear in another character’s book, and attempt to slowly create a following. Some are successful. Some are unsuccessful.
    The other way is in response to hype from a very limited initial appearance. Spider-Gwen had a one-shot appearance in Edge of Spider-verse. Gwenpool was merely an image on a variant cover. But that distinction is minimal, because Spider-Gwen really took off because of her look (no offense to Jason Aaron), just as Gwenpool did.
    Marvel saw how excited people got about these characters, and decided to give them their own book. But they still tried (and in my opinion were successful) to make the books quality reads. They didn’t just fill the books with crap to make a quick buck, thus I wouldn’t consider these books “cash grabs.” The stuff that pisses me off is charging 10 bucks for things like Deadpool 250 or Deadpool 75th anniversary, which are mostly filled with crappy backup stories.
    Anyway, that was my rant. Probably wouldn’t have written this on a weekend, but since its a Friday and I’m at work, my passion for procrastination has no limits. Have a good weekend everybody! And give Gwenpool a chance!

    1. and another side note: another example of a cash grab that is super annoying? that dc is going to have a rebirth #1, a character-rebirth #1 (for example, Batman, rebirth # 1), and then the actual character # 1 (eg. Batman #1). now that is a shameless cash grab.

    2. I don’t have a problem with the Gwen’s or the fact that Marvel is a business. I want them to make money. I think that an established character can stand next to an alternate universe derivative character. I just don’t like the replacement characters. I kind of gave up on most Marvel characters a long while ago though.
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      1. I’m surprised that Amazing Spider-Man #31, Gwen’s very first appearance isn’t commanding a higher price with how popular she has gotten.

    3. I don’t think Gwenpool is terrible, but what’s up that hooded onesie? And the holsters strapped to her bare legs? I would think that that would be incredibly chaffing after a while. Her design looks like the end result of too many 2 fers during happy hour.

  2. So stoked for this….almost as much as waking up late and still getting gwenpool 1 1:25 Variant and moon knight 1 variant lol

    1. The DC animations have been awesome for a long time. I am totally stoked for this one.

  4. In other batman news Azrael is confirmed to appear on Gotham in a couple weeks. Can still find his 1st appearance cheap Batman sword of Azrael

    1. They used to be somewhat got many years ago when he took over for batman. Was specing back in the days before Internet.
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  5. This is such great news. I was lucky enough to buy a NM 1st print about 3 years ago for $15. It’s well protected and waiting the day that I decide to grade it. For DC to do it as rated R is the right way to go cuz the story wouldn’t be the same if it was PG13.

  6. Man DC Killing it in comic sales every month with the number one spot, and they continute to kill it wil animation movies. I have a feeling these next 10 movies in 5 years gonna kill it also as they go for the hat trick. Nothing against marvel, but there a one trick pony basically. Movies are good not consistent, but everything else like comics and animation movies, fails. A person with common sense would understand this but most times you try and break this down to a marvel fanboy they just dont seem to want to accept it, almost in denial, yup.

      1. You have a point. But I’ve noticed that the only way marvel really seems to dominate the top 10 is with #1’s month after month after month. Marvel doesn’t seem to have anything beyond the “slap a #1 on it and call it new”.
        I’m new to the speculation and flipping market, but I’ve been watching those monthly sales off and on for the last couple of years and it’s always the first few issues of a marvel run in the top spots. Once they are “old” they drop.
        Even now, I’m learning that with Marvel really the only things that seem to be hot or quick flips are the 1:25 and up variants.

      2. True, but you have to also look at how many awesome Variants every month DC comics releases which create huge sales and excitment. Meanwhile Marvel month after month dont put any effort in Variants. Which is why when these comic book websites show you the top 10 variants each month its always DC comic , and there always in demand no matter how old or new they are, you go on ebay and there selling like hot cakes. So the complaint with Marvel is not only do they not have the top spot in comic sales but most people who buys those comics hate the stories, there are no current stories that people enjoy, and they almost put zero effort into these variants which fans enjoy a whole lot. Even a Alex Ross Black Panther could not keep up with Harley Quinn April Fools by Jim Lee Sketch and that was one of marvels best variants in a long time

  7. I’m loving that this will be rated R. I have a first print but I won’t sell it, the book is too great to consider selling. Thanks for dropping this info Tony

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