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Wolverine 3 WILL Be R-Rated Old Man Logan Adaptation, Says Report

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Days after word first broke that 20th Century Fox were aiming for an R-rating on the next ‘Wolverine’ solo movie, a new report claims to have confirmation of this.

According to Den of Geek US, multiple sources close to the film from returning ‘The Wolverine’ director James Mangold - set to be Hugh Jackman’s final performance in his signature role - have verified that the as-yet untitled film is indeed aiming above the usual PG-13/12A.

Furthermore, the report also claims to confirm that it will be an adaptation of popular 2011 comic book storyline ‘Old Man Logan.’

Talk of an R-rated ‘Wolverine’ movie is nothing new. 2013′s ‘The Wolverine’ is known to have gone back and forth between the R and PG-13 ratings, until it was decided to go with the less restrictive rating (although a more violent unrated cut was later released on DVD).

An R-rating (which typically equates to a 15, or sometimes 18 in the UK) has long been deemed a commercial kiss of death by the studios - but the recent blockbuster success of ‘Deadpool’ has challenged this conventional wisdom.

Den of Geek’s report claims that “the plan has always been to aim for an R” on the third and final Wolverine - but it’s hard to believe the first week box office haul of ‘Deadpool’ ($333 million and counting) had no impact on the decision.

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A bigger question mark hangs over just how close to ‘Old Man Logan’ any 20th Century Fox movie could really be, given the story - which, as the title suggests, centres on an aged Logan in a post-apocalyptic dystopia - features many Marvel characters the studio doesn’t have the rights to use, including The Hulk and Hawkeye.

However, an R-rating would allow for a faithful recreation of the comic’s graphic bloodshed.

The idea of an R-rated Wolverine movie will doubtless prove divisive. On the one hand, all existing movies with the character have been PG-13, so it may seem unfair to deprive younger viewers of their hero’s last big screen adventure.

On the other hand - this ‘hero’ is prone to fits of extreme rage and bloodlust, and has lethally sharp metal claws. Just how family-friendly a character has he ever really been?

Still, until we hear anything official from 20th Century Fox themselves, take all news of an R-rated Wolverine with a pinch of salt.

The as-yet untitled third ‘Wolverine’ movie is due in UK cinemas on 2 March 2017.

Picture Credit: 20th Century Fox, Marvel

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