I like Guy Ritchie, director of British underworld gems like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, as well as Robert Downey Jr.’s upcoming Sherlock Holmes redux. And I like Lobo, the DC Comics interstellar bounty hunter created by Keith Giffen in the ’80s, who revels in wanton, planet-scale acts of mayhem. Lobo, who rides a giant space-faring motorcycle-sled-thing, is the last of his race…because he killed the rest of his people. Probably because he thought calling himself ”the last of his race” sounded cool. Lobo, who used “frag” as a four-letter substitute decades before “frak” came into vogue. So the two of them seem like a match made in director-subject heaven, right? Well, they would be if Warner Bros’ proposed Lobo flick wasn’t planned as a PG-13.
Don’t get me wrong: I think PG-13 is a fine rating and, by and large, does the job it’s supposed to. But, to me, Lobo is supposed to be insanely, over-the-top-y violent and bloody. He was created as a commentary of sorts on Wolverine and The Punisher, two Marvel characters whose main raison d’etre is to kill, flamboyantly and with great zest. I want my Lobo movie to be as pulpy and juicy and eviscery as possible. I want my astral sphere’s to bleed.
Was Warner so stung by Watchmen, which flaunted it’s R-rating and barely broke $100 million in its theatrical run, that they decided not to cordon off a whole segment of the moviegoing population? I guess I’d rather they make a PG-13 Lobo movie than no Lobo movie — because it really could be a lot of fun — but shouldn’t a film be everything it could be? Is it just me?
Photo Credit: Ritchie: Albert L. Ortega/PR Photos
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I haven’t read any Lobo books, so my knowledge of him comes from cartoons and Justice League, etc. He’s always seemed to be the comic relief with a bad attitude, so maybe that’s the direction they’re going with him. Hopefully it’s a good movie, in any case, and not “Judge Dredd” or something.
Yes I agree 100%
The comics version is pretty violent so I don’t really care to see him cleaned up for the PG-13 crowd.
Sounds like it might turn out Hellboy-ish.
He killed his entire race for his science project. he gave himself a B.
he is a PG13 rated guy but that the blood is practically outdoing Evil dead series for various colors and quantity
going to be sweet
Lobo was toned down a bit for appearences in both Superman:The Animated Series (Tne Main Man) and Justice League (Hereafter) so it is possible. Look for a PG-13 rating in the theatres and an un-rated version on the eventual DVD.
You CANT have a PG-13 Lobo…sigh
You missed out the best part of the Variety story! – “Lobo teams with a small town teenaged girl”. All we need now is Nicolas Cage involved somehow and the next decade’s “Catwoman” will be born!
It’s not just you, this article is very similar to an article over on Twitch.
First of all, THANK YOU! I have been trying to remember the name of that comic book for AGES, but didn’t remember enough to be able to search competently.
Secondly, anything Lobo should not be rated PG-13, frag or no. From what I remember, those books were bloody and gory and fabulous. Just say no to PG-13, Guy Ritchie!
Completey agree. Here’s hoping they don’t diminish good ol’ Lobo. Frag.
Forget this movie! MAKE ROCKNROLLA PART 2
The probelm with Watchmen wasn’t the rating, it was just a dull piece of junk. They totally should do Lobo right with a Hard R.
Lobo and Pg-13 do not belong in the same sentence together. The Lobo series was hardcore in its tone, subject matter, and violence, and it’s over the top. That’s what made to comic so popular. Here’s a example: What if they made Marv’s character in Sin City PG-13; would it had been as fun to watch? No, it would not. Lobo needs to be Lobo or they should just not make this film until he can be.