It’s Official: Prometheus And Audiences Get The R-Rating They Deserve

Update: On May 9, it was revealed that Prometheus received a 15-rating in the UK, but would remain uncut.

Thanks to the eagle-eyed work of Collider, and subsequent additional confirmation by 20th Century Fox, the news is now official: Prometheus has an R-rating in the U.S.

Yes, Ridley Scott’s forthcoming epic space adventure has been ruled ‘R’ due to its “sci-fi violence including some intense images, and brief language”. Considering the high horror/bodyshock content of the teasers and trailers, few would disagree.

Today’s confirmation will end the months long speculation that the $ 150 million (upwards) budget behind this highly anticipated film, would mean Scott would be forced to compromise Prometheus in the editing room in order to secure a PG-13 rating. Certainly, Scott hasn’t been shy about making his feelings clear on the subject.

In an interview with Empire Magazine, Scott said, “The question is, do you go for the PG-13, [which] financially makes quite a difference, or do you go for what it should be, which is R? Essentially, it’s kinda R.”

Likewise at this year’s Cinemacon, when asked what rating he thought Prometheus would receive, 20th Century Fox CEO, Tom Rothman, replied, “I don’t know, but I do know this: it will be whatever is best for the film … the film will not be compromised either way. So if that means that the film is R, then it’ll be an R. If it’s PG-13, then it’ll be a PG-13, but it will not be compromised. People can rest assured.”

It seems the MPAA was listening.

In light of today’s news, does this mean the red, white and blue gauntlet thrown down by The Avengers $ 654.8 million worldwide box-office [so far $ 207, 4. million U.S and $ 447.5 million foreign, and counting] will not be beaten? With its PG-13 rating and ‘lighter’ storyline, The Avengers could be considered to have a box-office-friendly advantage over Prometheus’s darker, more provocative premise.

But in a way that’s the point. 20th Century Fox, fans and critics all want Prometheus to deliver on its incendiary marketing and the inherent promise a director like Scott implies. Viewed from that perspective, an R-rating is exactly the news we all wanted to hear. And from May 30 onwards in selected territories, June 1 in the UK and June 8 in the U.S, audiences will get to decide whether the gamble pays off.

Latest TV Spot for Prometheus with new footage via scifimafia