You can't just slip into it. The study is quick to point out that the reduced box office only applies to teen-targeted films with the R rating. More adult fare, like the R-rated Nurse Betty or Enemy at the Gates , is not affected by the rating. The study also notes that R-rated movies targeting teen girls are more affected than those targeting adolescent males, possibly because males can pass for older. Of course, Hollywood has had its share of battles between directors, who believe certain scenes may be intrinsic to their film, and studio execs, who prefer to cut racier bits to get the lower, potentially more lucrative rating.
Filmmakers say it's dangerous to forgo an R just to improve the bottom line.
And cutting out R-rated scenes won't do everything, the study admits. Imagine if it had kept the R rating. Inc. All rights reserved.