It remains to be seen whether moviegoers will turn out for this summer’s Supergirl. However, Jason Momoa’s debut as Lobo has already generated significant interest among fans. As James Gunn’s DCU continues to take shape, speculation has grown over whether the alien bounty hunter could eventually receive his own spin-off film.
James Gunn sits for an interview – YouTube, GQ
READ: Report Claims Left-Wing Billionaires Are Bankrolling Opposition to Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger
In a recent interview, Momoa said he would only consider the project if it were rated R. The comment has sparked debate online about how the antihero should be portrayed, as well as the broader direction of the DCU.
Lobo Needs To Be Rated R, Says Momoa
Speaking with Collider, Jason Momoa was asked whether James Gunn and Peter Safran had approached him about a Lobo film. While the actor did not reveal how far any discussions may have progressed, he made it clear what it would take to bring him back.
“It’s all I want, and I promise—I’m just going to put this out there right now—I do not have any interest in making a Lobo PG-13 movie,” Jason Momoa said. “So, will he be a part of some other movies? If they want me, I’ll be there. But if I make a solo movie, I’m not doing it unless it’s rated R.”
Jason Momoa as Lobo in the Supergirl Trailer – YouTube, DC
In the comics, Lobo is known for his extreme brutality, crude personality, and over-the-top behavior. Created in the 1980s as a straightforward villain, the character was reimagined in the 1990s as a parody of the antiheroes who dominated comics during the era. Many fans believe a Lobo film would need to target mature audiences in order to remain faithful to the source material.
However, Momoa’s insistence on an R-rated spin-off raises broader questions about the direction of James Gunn’s shared universe.
How Family-Friendly Is The DCU?
The official launch of the DCU was not last summer’s Superman. Instead, it began with the TV-MA animated series Creature Commandos on HBO Max. It featured nudity, graphic violence, and profanity. Centered on a team of supervillains, the series reportedly failed to break into the Nielsen streaming charts.
Superman itself underperformed at the box office. Some parents criticized the film’s language as inappropriate for younger audiences. Whether that had any meaningful impact on ticket sales remains open to debate. However, the fact that such concerns became part of the conversation surrounding a Superman movie may be noteworthy in itself.
Superman beaten down in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
READ: Spencer Pratt Shuts Down Jimmy Kimmel After U-Haul Joke
Many were also surprised when Superman appeared to be rushed to premium VOD. At the time, Gunn argued that audiences interested in the second season of HBO Max’s Peacemaker would need to watch the film first. He also suggested that it would serve as a prequel to Man of Tomorrow. Notably, the immediate follow-up to the PG-13 Superman featured full-frontal nudity, graphic violence, and crude humor.
Promotional material for the upcoming Lanterns series has also included graphic language, further reinforcing the perception that the DCU is not primarily targeting younger viewers.
A Universe With Mixed Messages
Many critics have argued that Gunn’s DCU feels disjointed. While Superman was marketed as a family-friendly blockbuster complete with toy tie-ins, much of the surrounding content has been anything but family-oriented.
Supergirl fighting in the Supergirl Trailer – YouTube, DC
READ: ‘Michael’ Becomes Highest-Grossing Music Biopic of All Time as Box Office Nears $1 Billion
Supergirl carries a PG-13 rating. However, trailers and promotional material have highlighted crude humor and an alcoholic protagonist. While Jason Momoa says he is happy to play Lobo as a supporting character in a PG-13 film, his comments suggest he is far more interested in the edgier side of the DCU.
If a solo Lobo movie eventually happens, Momoa appears determined to make sure it embraces that approach fully.
Do you think a Lobo movie needs an R rating? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
UP NEXT: Spider-Man: Brand New Day Reportedly Leaks Online as Unfinished Movie Allegedly Hits Black Market
