Superman writer criticises Man of Steel over its PG-13 rating

DC Comics writer Greg Rucka has criticised the makers of Superman reboot 'Man of Steel' for giving it a PG-13 rating.

Rucka, who has penned a wealth of DC characters including the 'Superman: World of New Krypton' series, says that the older rating risks 'losing the character's heart' by being too gritty.

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In an opinion piece written by him in the Hollywood Reporter, he says: “Words like 'realism' and 'dark' and 'gritty' get bandied about Hollywood as if the only merit a story can have is in its verisimilitude, but that’s a lie.

“Emotional honesty transcends reality; it’s what allows disbelief to be suspended, and yet what makes a story stay true.

“I haven’t seen 'Man of Steel', haven’t read the script, and I’ve assiduously avoided spoilers. I genuinely don’t know if this 'reality' will be present or not. I want it to be brilliant. I want it to be glorious. I want it to be inspiring. I am keeping the faith.

“But that PG-13 on 'Man of Steel' is making me nervous. I don’t know what it means. I don’t know if this is a genuine caution to parents, or a marketing decision aimed at a demographic too-cool for Superman's brand of hope and idealism, yet embracing of Batman’s self-loathing rough justice, to assure them their ticket will be money well-spent.

“I don't know if that PG-13 is there out of sincerity or cynicism or politics. I just know that if you make a Superman movie you can’t take kids to, you’ve done something wrong.”

Rucka has also previously written the likes Wolverine, Elektra and Spider-Man for Marvel Comics.