Batman: The Killing Joke Has Been Rated R

Today, EW brings good news for Batfans hoping for a true-to-tone film, as the forthcoming Killing Joke animated feature will have an R-rating. The film, released later this year, will be Warner Bros./DC’s first mature superhero animation, and the second Batman film to warrant the stiffer rating (the other being the extended cut of Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice). At present, the studio has no plans to release a PG-13 version of the feature, but things may change depending upon sales.

Sam Register, the head of Warner Bros. Animation & Digital Series lent his support to the grittier vision in a company statement:

 “we encouraged producer Bruce Timm and our team at Warner Bros. Animation to remain faithful to the original story — regardless of the eventual MPAA rating. The Killing Joke is revered by the fans, particularly for its blunt, often-shocking adult themes and situations. We felt it was our responsibility to present our core audience — the comics-loving community — with an animated film that authentically represented the tale they know all too well.”

Batman: The Killing Joke premieres at Comic-Con International in San Diego this summer, with a release on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD later this year.