Could The Expendables be Rated PG-13?

Hollywood’s obsession with the dollar has officially reached it’s saturation point. I’m not just referring to all the remakes, but the constant need to make every film PG-13 just so they can cash in on the disposable income of teenagers! I’ve just come across the ridiculous news that Sylvester Stallone’s upcoming action flick The Expendables could possibly become a victim to this ratings trend.

Over at the UGO Movie Blog, they recently spoke to Expendables producer Avi Lerner who confirmed that there will be two versions of the film cut for test audiences. One will be rated R, while the other will be PG-13. Because of the excessive explosions, violence, and the extensive cast the budget for the film has reached 80 million dollars. The producer wants the movie to be a commercial success so the studio can capitalize and eventually turn it into a franchise.

So, once again we are struck with the R vs. PG-13 debate. I am in no means interested in seeing a watered down version of this film. I was under the assumption that Stallone directed it as an homage to the action flicks of the eighties which were known for their fights, gun play, and over the top explosions. I’m not saying that every film needs to be filled with these things, but this one should! I’m not paying to see Stallone, Jet Li, and Jason Statham play patty cake on screen, I want to see them do what they do best.

Do you think they should rate The Expendables PG-13 just for financial gain? What other films can you think of that suffered because it’s content was watered down?