Photo: Geoffrey Short/Universal PicturesM3GANscreenwriter Akela Cooper says the film about a murderous robot doll was originally “way gorier.“In a recent interview withThe Los Angeles Times, Cooper, who also wrote the 2021 horror movieMalignant, said she’s heard “an unrated version” of M3GAN from director Gerard Johnstone is in the works after it was toned down once “teenagers got involved.““No shade to Universal, love them, and I understand that once the trailer went viral teenagers got involved and you want them to be able to see it,” Cooper told the outlet when asked how gory her original script was.“There should be an unrated version at some point. … I heard it is on the books,” Cooper added. “But yes, it was way gorier. Her body count in the script was higher than in the movie.“While the screenwriter said the originalM3GANscript didn’t amount to a “massacre” on the scale ofMalignant, Cooper said the doll “did kill a bunch more people, including a couple of characters whom [producer James Wan] was like, ‘I like what you did with those people, but I want them to live.’ ““I was merciless, but again, that is me,” Cooper added. “My humor is extremely dark.“Geoffrey Short/Universal PicturesNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.M3GANis about an 8-year-old orphan named Cady (Violet McGraw) living with her Aunt Gemma (Allison Williams), who invents a life-like doll meant to be a child’s perfect companion. After Cady becomes emotionally attached to M3GAN, the A.I. doll quickly becomes violent and defies her programming.In December, producers Jason Blum and Wan suggested to theThe Hollywood Reporterthat those who expressed disappointment online thatM3GANlanded a PG-13 rating (for violent content and terror, some strong language and a suggestive reference)should watch the movie before judging it.“Some of the scariest movies of all time are PG-13, so I don’t put too much stock in the bellyaching,” said Blum. “Go see the movie and then tell me about it.“RELATED VIDEO: Jason Blum AttendsM3GANPremiere Dressed as Title Character: ‘Get Ready, World’Wan has directed R-rated films likeThe Conjuring,SawandMalignantplus PG-13 titles likeInsidious. He said, “I think it’s about whatever is most suitable for the film, and even thoughM3GANis a scary movie, teenagers will really dig this. They’ll really like it, and I think it will speak to them in a big way.““Yes, that’s right,” added Blum, the producer behind films likeGet Out,Paranormal Activity,Happy Death Dayand more. “We wanted teenagers to be able to see the movie, ultimately.“M3GANis in theaters now.
Photo: Geoffrey Short/Universal Pictures
M3GANscreenwriter Akela Cooper says the film about a murderous robot doll was originally “way gorier.“In a recent interview withThe Los Angeles Times, Cooper, who also wrote the 2021 horror movieMalignant, said she’s heard “an unrated version” of M3GAN from director Gerard Johnstone is in the works after it was toned down once “teenagers got involved.““No shade to Universal, love them, and I understand that once the trailer went viral teenagers got involved and you want them to be able to see it,” Cooper told the outlet when asked how gory her original script was.“There should be an unrated version at some point. … I heard it is on the books,” Cooper added. “But yes, it was way gorier. Her body count in the script was higher than in the movie.“While the screenwriter said the originalM3GANscript didn’t amount to a “massacre” on the scale ofMalignant, Cooper said the doll “did kill a bunch more people, including a couple of characters whom [producer James Wan] was like, ‘I like what you did with those people, but I want them to live.’ ““I was merciless, but again, that is me,” Cooper added. “My humor is extremely dark.“Geoffrey Short/Universal PicturesNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.M3GANis about an 8-year-old orphan named Cady (Violet McGraw) living with her Aunt Gemma (Allison Williams), who invents a life-like doll meant to be a child’s perfect companion. After Cady becomes emotionally attached to M3GAN, the A.I. doll quickly becomes violent and defies her programming.In December, producers Jason Blum and Wan suggested to theThe Hollywood Reporterthat those who expressed disappointment online thatM3GANlanded a PG-13 rating (for violent content and terror, some strong language and a suggestive reference)should watch the movie before judging it.“Some of the scariest movies of all time are PG-13, so I don’t put too much stock in the bellyaching,” said Blum. “Go see the movie and then tell me about it.“RELATED VIDEO: Jason Blum AttendsM3GANPremiere Dressed as Title Character: ‘Get Ready, World’Wan has directed R-rated films likeThe Conjuring,SawandMalignantplus PG-13 titles likeInsidious. He said, “I think it’s about whatever is most suitable for the film, and even thoughM3GANis a scary movie, teenagers will really dig this. They’ll really like it, and I think it will speak to them in a big way.““Yes, that’s right,” added Blum, the producer behind films likeGet Out,Paranormal Activity,Happy Death Dayand more. “We wanted teenagers to be able to see the movie, ultimately.“M3GANis in theaters now.
M3GANscreenwriter Akela Cooper says the film about a murderous robot doll was originally “way gorier.”
In a recent interview withThe Los Angeles Times, Cooper, who also wrote the 2021 horror movieMalignant, said she’s heard “an unrated version” of M3GAN from director Gerard Johnstone is in the works after it was toned down once “teenagers got involved.”
“No shade to Universal, love them, and I understand that once the trailer went viral teenagers got involved and you want them to be able to see it,” Cooper told the outlet when asked how gory her original script was.
“There should be an unrated version at some point. … I heard it is on the books,” Cooper added. “But yes, it was way gorier. Her body count in the script was higher than in the movie.”
While the screenwriter said the originalM3GANscript didn’t amount to a “massacre” on the scale ofMalignant, Cooper said the doll “did kill a bunch more people, including a couple of characters whom [producer James Wan] was like, ‘I like what you did with those people, but I want them to live.’ "
“I was merciless, but again, that is me,” Cooper added. “My humor is extremely dark.”
Geoffrey Short/Universal Pictures
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
M3GANis about an 8-year-old orphan named Cady (Violet McGraw) living with her Aunt Gemma (Allison Williams), who invents a life-like doll meant to be a child’s perfect companion. After Cady becomes emotionally attached to M3GAN, the A.I. doll quickly becomes violent and defies her programming.
In December, producers Jason Blum and Wan suggested to theThe Hollywood Reporterthat those who expressed disappointment online thatM3GANlanded a PG-13 rating (for violent content and terror, some strong language and a suggestive reference)should watch the movie before judging it.
“Some of the scariest movies of all time are PG-13, so I don’t put too much stock in the bellyaching,” said Blum. “Go see the movie and then tell me about it.”
RELATED VIDEO: Jason Blum AttendsM3GANPremiere Dressed as Title Character: ‘Get Ready, World’
Wan has directed R-rated films likeThe Conjuring,SawandMalignantplus PG-13 titles likeInsidious. He said, “I think it’s about whatever is most suitable for the film, and even thoughM3GANis a scary movie, teenagers will really dig this. They’ll really like it, and I think it will speak to them in a big way.”
“Yes, that’s right,” added Blum, the producer behind films likeGet Out,Paranormal Activity,Happy Death Dayand more. “We wanted teenagers to be able to see the movie, ultimately.”
M3GANis in theaters now.
source: people.com
