MovieChat Forums > The Magnificent Seven (2016) Discussion > Former studio head Lorenzo Di Bonaventur...

Former studio head Lorenzo Di Bonaventura on the PG-13 rating:

posted 8 years ago by gogoschka-1
14 replies | jump to latest

In an interesting interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the former president of worldwide production at Warner Brothers, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, had a few things to say on The Magnificent Seven's PG-13 rating:

THR: As a former studio head, what's right and wrong with studios now?

Di Bonaventura: As an industry, we've weathered the collapse of DVD. We've weathered the onslaught of video games and really quality television. The disappointment I have is that the response to those challenges has been a narrowing of choice. And I don't think that's the right thing. We've abandoned young males largely in our business. They like R-rated movies. They were the most dependable audience of my 25 years in this business. They've become less dependable because we are not making product for them. That's a big mistake.

THR: And a movie like The Magnificent Seven is made for a PG-13 rating.

Di Bonaventura: That's a perfect example of the mentality. It makes no sense to me. It makes me not want to see it. The notion that polarization and controversy is unprofitable is something I absolutely reject. The fear of that has the corporate masters of the business — and I don't mean the people running the studios, I mean their bosses — [becoming] increasingly safe. I've had personal experience where controversy has made movies widely profitable. Three Kings, Training Day, Falling Down, Matrix in its own way — not exactly controversial, but it was in your face. With Three Kings, every single time we tested the movie, when the woman got shot in the head during the milk truck scene, 10 percent of the audience stood up and walked out. And we kept it in. Today they would take it out.

THR: Given your history at Warner Bros., what are your thoughts on the studio?

Di Bonaventura: If I were Warners, I wouldn't worry about Marvel. I'd be worried about being authentic to ourselves. DC Comics is a really vibrant universe. Let it be what it's going to be.

The whole interview: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lorenzo-di-bonaventura-interview-shooter-930893

http://www.the-fanboy-perspective.com/a-rant-against-modern-tentpole-film-making.html

[–] whitebuddha187 8 years ago

Haha sounds like someone living in the past. Movies rating should be taken on a case by case basis. A western can succeed as a PG-13 considering most westerns made are pg-13 or lesser rating in the passed 60 years or so but a movie like the Expendables not so much that needs to be a hard R.
DC on the other hand is being handled all wrong. Too rushed, too many characters too soon... etc....

[–] gogoschka-1 8 years ago

Haha sounds like someone living in the past.

Well, what he says actually makes a lot of sense to me. When I saw the first trailer for M7 I was sure it was going to be R-rated (especially with that director).

And most of the iconic westerns like the original M7 were made during the era of the "Hayes Code", meaning they didn't have the chance to make R-rated films (and you can bet those battle hardened directors who had been in WW2 would have made more realistic films if they had been allowed to). It was only towards the end of the sixties when that option became possible: and some of the best neo-westerns like 'The Wild Bunch' were made.

http://www.the-fanboy-perspective.com/a-rant-against-modern-tentpole-film-making.html

[–] lajohn 8 years ago

If you want to see an excellent R rated western, then Hateful Eight is right for you.

[–] gogoschka-1 8 years ago

If you want to see an excellent R rated western, then Hateful Eight is right for you.

It is indeed: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3460252/reviews?start=0

http://www.the-fanboy-perspective.com/a-rant-against-modern-tentpole-film-making.html

[–] whitebuddha187 8 years ago

Clint eastwoods movies were mostly R but he made The outlaw josey wales in 1976 pg rated

[–] gogoschka-1 8 years ago

Clint eastwoods movies were mostly R but he made The outlaw josey wales in 1976 pg rated

Not sure what point you're trying to make here. But anyway, 'The Outlaw Josey Wales' might have been PG in the US due to incredibly lenient ratings during that time, but it was an 18 in the UK (not a 15 which is what the majority of R-rated movies - even 'Saving Privte Ryan' - are in the UK): http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2836896768/tt0075029

And all other westerns directed by Eastwood were R-rated: 'High Planes Drifter', 'Pale Rider' and 'Unforgiven'.

http://www.the-fanboy-perspective.com/a-rant-against-modern-tentpole-film-making.html

[–] whitebuddha187 8 years ago

My point is my original point. Westerns can achieve success with any rating because its pure americana entertainment. Thats why they saturated the market in the US from the 1920s to the mid 1970s.

[–] gogoschka-1 8 years ago

My point is my original point. Westerns can achieve success with any rating because its pure americana entertainment. Thats why they saturated the market in the US from the 1920s to the mid 1970s.

Ah ok, I agree with that. Still, depending on the themes depicted in them, some might work better with the freedom to depict certain scenes with gritty realism (note: I haven't seen the new M7, if it has more a fun, comedy tone, a PG-13 might suit it perfectly).

http://www.the-fanboy-perspective.com/a-rant-against-modern-tentpole-film-making.html

[–] whitebuddha187 8 years ago

Considering there are 4 original movies first in 1960, return in 1966, guns in 1969 and ride in 1972. The last 2 were released in a time when cinema was becoming more liberal but they stuck with the formula or the original. Guns of the magnificent seven and the magnificent sevem ride! Are both rated PG. Theres no reason as to why mgm with orinal producer walter mirisch who returned for this movie are going to revamp the franchise and make it overly dark and bloody. It would ruin the Magnificent legacy.

[–] xbs2034 8 years ago

Yeah, Josey Wales would likely get an R under current MPAA standards.

I don't have a problem with this film being a PG-13 in theory if it was going for more of a fun popcorn western, but since it went for a pretty grim, brutal tone, I think an R would've been better as looked a bit silly how the last gunfight was basically completely bloodless with that massacre, and how they always kept the most violent moments off-screen.

[–] Barney_Ross_Homecoming 8 years ago

whitebuddha187 is a pg13 loving insect!

[–] RoyWilliamsbeatsCoachK 8 years ago

A remake of a PG movie is supposed to be R? Sorry this was never going to be an R rated movie. It is a popcorn western for mass audiences just like the 1960 version. Sorry, but the next Star Wars and Marvel movies won't be R rated either.

Yes there are some movies that they do tone down, this isn't one of them. It was never R rated material, just a fun shoot em up western.

[–] Block-Busted 8 years ago

Yeah, I have no clue why people are complaining about this film getting PG-13 even though this film getting PG-13 was blatantly obvious from start to finish.

Also, the whole Hayes Code excuse doesn't work because even if 'The Magnificent Seven' (1960) was PG-13 level because of that, people STILL remember the film as a PG-13-friendly film.

[–] Barney_Ross_Homecoming 8 years ago

He's right!!!