'The Expendables 2' Might Be Rated PG-13 Thanks to Chuck Norris?
by Ethan Anderton
January 18, 2012
For all those fans who enjoyed the testosterone fueled action of The Expendables, it's safe to say that a lot of that entertainment not only came from the collection of big action stars from decades passed, but also the extreme, over-the-top action and bloody violence. Well, it sounds like the The Expendables 2 might not be on the same level as the first film thanks to the participation of Chuck Norris. In a recent interview with the Polish paper Gazeta (via Arrow in the Head) Norris said that it was the vulgar language in the screenplay that turned him off, and changes were made to allow the film to be rated PG-13. More below!
Here's what Norris told the Polish paper:
“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,” Norris explained. “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.”
Sounds pretty lame to me, and it's always perplexing as to why people like Chuck Norris are more concerned with naughty words than by the gratuitous violence on display in action films like this. It's not clear whether or not the film will actually be rated PG-13, or maybe just the language was dulled down and Sylvester Stallone and the rest of the gang are just letting Norris think that the film isn't going to be R-rated. It's possible to have a solid action film without all the blood and gore, but in the first film, it did help make things a little more intense. We'll have to wait and see how the film turns out when Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Yu Nan, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Liam Hemsworth, Jean Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger return to the big screen on August 17th. Thoughts?
UPDATE: Sylvester Stallone has contacted Ain't It Cool News and has confirmed that the film will indeed be PG-13, but he's quick to try and quell anyone's fears saying:
"Harry, the film is fantastic with Van Damme turning in an inspired performance. Our final battle is one for the ages. The PG-13 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."
He does his best to instill confidence, but I'm just not sure a PG-13 sequel to The Expendables can deliver. It's not the vulgar language that's needed, but it's the intense action and bloody violence that made for a raucous romp last time. Here's hoping fans of the original won't be disappointed.