The Raid 2: Censorship Necessary for R-Rating

Gareth Evans Confirms Cuts to Please the MPAA

Almost one month ago, we reported about an interview that The Raid director Gareth Evans gave to Collider. There, he talked about his hope that the MPAA would approve of his sequel The Raid 2: Berandal without demanding cuts for the "R" rating. However, he had his doubts that this would happen (see news).

And it looks like that fear has indeed become a fact. Evans confirmed via his Twitter account that the sequel had to be censored for the "R" rating (strong bloody violence throughout, sexuality and language):

For folks in the US, The Raid 2 has just been rated R. And in all honesty the few cuts we made are so minimal. We are literally talking frames - and not too many of them. I’m fucking happy.

Looking at the cuts that had to be made to the first film in order to make the MPAA give the film the "R", one is inclined to believe Evans regarding the slight amount of cuts applied (see comparison). Some of his followers quickly drew their attention to the home video release and the potential for an unrated version later on and Evans responded positively:

[...] along with some deleted action scenes…. We will make it worth it.

Earlier in the interview, Evans already talked about deleted scenes that didn't make it into the final movie and shared some more info about their nature:

[...] we have one big shoot out, some execution scenes and a Steadicam single take scene (drama with some action)

It remains to be seen whether they will be included in the Blu-ray's bonus section or are inserted into a longer cut of the movie, especially when looking at the following statement:

w/ the exception of a few frames cut to get an R you’ll get the directors cut in theatres. It’s the film I set out to make.

So, it looks like The Raid 2: Berandal will follow the same path that its predecessor went on, also in terms of version talk. At latest when the DVD/BD hit the shelves, the hardcore fans will be entirely pleased, hopefully not only in the US since the censorship of the first film found its way into other territories, as well. The "R" rated The Raid 2: Berandal starts in US cinemas on March 28th, 2014.