Ben Stiller Fought the MPAA Over ‘Meet the Fockers’ and ‘Zoolander’ R-Rating

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As a longtime cinema enthusiast with a soft spot for comedies that push the envelope, I find myself deeply intrigued by the behind-the-scenes battles that directors and producers face when trying to secure the perfect rating for their films. The tales of Ben Stiller’s encounters with the MPA (or MPAA) are particularly captivating, as they demonstrate the lengths some artists will go to preserve the integrity of their work.

In some instances, comedies can push boundaries and on numerous occasions, comedy stars have clashed with the Motion Picture Association (MPA) while striving for a PG-13 rating over an R-rated one. Interestingly, both 2014’s version and the original nearly earned stricter ratings. To prevent this from happening, Ben Stiller took necessary steps to intervene.

In the latest installment of “Hot Ones”, Stiller was questioned about the name he used in “Meet the Parents” and its sequels, which caused issues because it resembled a term typically found only in R-rated films. Stiller admitted that his team had to locate an authentic family with the surname Focker in order to secure a PG-13 rating for “Meet the Fockers“.

I believe that’s accurate, indeed. It seems the rating was PG-13 because they considered it too similar to a profane term. Yes, it’s common for names or situations to need approval, as something like that apparently occurred.

Later, Stiller shared tales about his prior clashes with the Motion Picture Association (MPA/MPAA) regarding one of his successful films, which contained content deemed inappropriate for young, delicate spectators.

Additionally, I recall needing to visit the MPAA as they considered giving ‘Zoolander’ an R rating due to the goat orgy scene, which they found inappropriate or not suitable. I composed a brief speech and argued about other films with more questionable content. It was quite nerve-wracking. The stakes were high. When you have a comedy and jokes that you know will land, the last thing you want to do is edit them for a rating.

MPA Movie Ratings Can Dictate a Movie’s Success

Sometimes, it can be challenging for certain films to receive ratings that accurately reflect their intended audience due to the need to shield younger viewers from inappropriate content.

In my perspective, much like how Kevin Smith has been battling the Motion Picture Association, I’ve found myself in a similar situation back in 1993. Steven Spielberg, a legendary filmmaker, was faced with a comparable struggle when trying to secure a PG-13 rating for his groundbreaking film, Jurassic Park. Interestingly enough, this rating came with the same cautionary warning that had been given to his 1975 blockbuster Jaws, suggesting that some scenes might be too intense for young viewers due to their potentially traumatic nature.

Indeed, R-rated films have been performing exceptionally well at the box office lately. Even big franchises like Marvel and DC are planning to produce more R-rated content for a more adult audience, alongside their PG-13-oriented main series. The boundaries of what can be depicted or spoken in a PG-13 movie are influenced by time, with violence being acceptable if it’s presented as “fantasy” or “comical,” and occasional use of strong language, such as the ‘f-word,’ becoming more permissible, especially considering the frequent usage of such language in today’s popular teen music.

Below, you can watch Ben Stiller’s full Hot Ones interview, which contains some fiery F-bombs.

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2024-12-06 16:03