Tom Hardy, star of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, says that they considered making the film R-rated before settling on PG-13. Coming October 1, Venom 2 will release three years after the original hit theaters due to several delays because of the ongoing pandemic. The film is directed by Lord of the Rings and Black Panther star Andy Serkis from a script by Kelly Marcel (Cruella) and a story by Tom Hardy. The film stars Hardy, Woody Harrelson, Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris, Stephen Graham, Reid Scott, and Peggy Lu.
In Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Tom Hardy reprises his dual role as Eddie Brock and the alien symbiote Venom. Although they have now been bonded for two years, they still don't always have the hang of sharing the same body. Unfortunately, they won't have any further time to figure things out, because notorious serial killer Cletus Kasady (Harrelson) becomes bonded with the vicious symbiote Carnage and begins wreaking havoc across San Francisco, forcing the pair to act quickly and save the city.
Speaking with ComicBook, Tom Hardy said, "100% we considered [an R-rating]. With all of these symbiotes, you know, you consider it." He said the original comic books are "extreme," but "that's not what we're here to do." The actor goes on to explain that they designed the movie to appeal to the widest audience possible, embracing fans of Carnage in the comics yet also allowing people both younger and older to come to the theater. He says they don't bite people's heads off onscreen or anything, but they "did stick a tongue down someone's throat pretty... " Read the full quote here:
100% we considered it. With all of these symbiotes, you know, you consider it. You read the comic books and it is extreme, but that's not what we're here to do. We came here to make a movie which, and correct me if I'm wrong, I mean, there's a law and a rule into creating a movie that's accessible to a lot of people, as well as that caters for everybody, including the hardcore fans. So I hope the hardcore fans at least take home that they look at Carnage and go, "Yeah, I recognize Carnage from the comic books. I'm happy with that." And yeah, no, we didn't bite everybody's head off, but we did stick a tongue down someone's throat pretty... and managed to come in at a level of rating which is reputable so that grandma can come but also I'll come watch it too.
Andy Serkis' prior comments on Venom 2's rating are in accordance with what Hardy is saying here. Although the film won't have R-rated kills, it will push the limits of what is possible within PG-13, accentuating "the danger and darkness and the threat and the menace of Carnage." Considering it's a sequel to a film as successful as 2018's Venom, it's unlikely that the MPAA will push back too hard against the decisions that they are making. Likewise, that original film was PG-13 and managed to express the character's violent and chaotic sensibilities quite well.
One element of these comments from Tom Hardy on the rating of Venom: Let There Be Carnage is especially intriguing. When he says "with all of these symbiotes," it makes sense what he's referring to. The film will obviously feature Venom and Carnage, with additional sub-villain Shriek bonding with Naomie Harris' character. However, Hardy's words might imply that there are additional symbiotes that fans might get a glimpse of in the film. Riot likely won't appear, having been defeated in the last film, but that still leaves an ample roster of symbiotes on the table, including Toxin, Anti-Venom, and Knull. Luckily, fans don't have long to wait now to find out exactly what beloved Marvel comics characters are coming to live-action this time around.
Source: ComicBook.com
