Image source: Deadpool (2016)
Disney is best known for its child friendly content, and when they created their own streaming platform Disney+, people were thrilled.
Disney+ has been home to many of the company’s greatest hits.
The streaming platform also includes titles from companies it acquired, including Marvel and Star Wars films and series.
Recently, parents were shaken to the core when Disney+ added three R-rated films.
Divided opinions
After Disney acquired Fox, Disney+ became the Marvel Hub, regardless of MCU canonicity.
Recently, the streaming platform added a few titles, including Netflix’s Defenders, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and the Deadpool movies.
While older fans are thrilled to have new options, others are not as enthusiastic with Disney’s decision, especially as Deadpool is an R-rated film that breaks what Disney+ initially stood for.
Outrage
The Parents Television and Media Council were outraged and claimed that Disney+ broke its “promise” to parents.
The group published a statement written by organization president Tim Winter.
Tim Winters’ statement
“Three years ago, the Walt Disney Company made a promise to families: No R-rated movies on Disney+, they said. It turns out they were lying to us,” the statement reads.
“After decades of corporate brilliance establishing itself as the world’s most trusted brand for families, today’s C-level suite at Disney has decided to flush it all down the toilet.”
“While Disney+ points subscribers to its parental controls, the mere presence of R-rated and TV-MA rated content violates the trust and sensibilities of families.”
“What took decades to build is now taking mere months to erase.”
“One day in the not-too-distant future, business schools will point back to this abrupt U-turn as they analyze what happened to the once-great Walt Disney Company.”
“And in the meantime, families will continue to be woefully underserved by Hollywood.”
Disney’s image
When Disney started acquiring properties like Marvel and Star Wars, concerns arose of how Disney’s image as a family-oriented company would look like.
Previously, Disney was identified by figures like Mickey Mouse and Disney Princesses, but today the sight of the Avengers and Darth Vade immediately brings the company to mind.
While the PTC are panicking with the changes, Disney’s expansion does not mean it will shift all content away from children and families.
The group’s outrage will do little to faze the company’s direction as Marvel Zombies was recently announced as the first TV-MA rated MCU project.
Wolverine and Deapool share their enthusiasm
While PTC were enraged with the addition of Logan and the Deadpool movies, actors Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds were more than happy with the news.
Jackman posted a photo of himself with Reynolds on the set of Deadpool with the caption:
“Thank you @disneyplus for adding brothers-in-arms @deadpoolmovie and #Logan as the first R-Rated movies on the platform. While your choice is questionable, we’ll take it.”
Meanwhile, Reynolds took notice of the outrage and responded on Instagram, suggesting “family-friendly” films like Bambi, Old Yeller, Snow White, and The Lion King weren’t as family-friendly as advertised.
“We’re supposed to announce Logan and Deadpool will soon be the first R-Rated movies on Disney+,” the Deadpool actor wrote.
“But we all know some Disney movies should already be rated R for irreversible trauma.”
References:
Disney+ blessed by parents group over new R-rated Marvel movies
Disney+ breaks promise not to add R-rated movie titles
Disney+ adds three R-rated movies to platform
Opinions expressed by NY Weekly contributors are their own.
