Marvel Studios’ Next Disney+ Show Makes MCU History With R-Rating

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Marvel Studios is set to create history on Disney+ by launching a TV series that will emulate an R-rating. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has entered a new phase with its R-rated storytelling, which began in 2024 through shows like “Echo” and “Deadpool & Wolverine”. This trend is expected to persist as Marvel aims to provide adult audiences with the thrilling, gory experiences that are commonly popular in comic book movies.

For the first time, an animated Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) production will carry a TV-MA rating when it premieres on Disney+, similar to an R-rated film in movie theaters. Up until now, only live-action stories like the latest Daredevil: Born Again, as well as Echo and Deadpool & Wolverine, have been rated R in the MCU. The animated shows previously launched within the MCU (What If…?, X-Men ’97, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and I Am Groot) were all rated TV-G to TV-14, aimed at younger audiences.

In a different Marvel universe, the zombie apocalypse unfolds with familiar faces such as Iman Vellani (Ms. Marvel), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi), and Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova) taking part in this gritty, R-rated series. Originating from the fifth episode of Season 1’s What If…?, this four-episode spin-off is set to premiere on Disney+ on October 3, 2025.

Why R-Rating Works for Marvel Studios’ Marvel Zombies on Disney+

R-Rating Allows for Gorier/More Violent Zombie Imagery

In the adult-oriented live-action projects of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the franchise has been able to display intense and excessively violent action that couldn’t be portrayed with a lower rating. Over the past few years, these R-rated productions have provided fans with shocking scenes such as Chris Evans’ character Johnny Storm having his skin torn from his body. In the upcoming series Daredevil: Born Again, this level of graphic violence was elevated even further, culminating in Commissioner Phil Gallo’s gruesome demise at the hands of Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin, who brutally crushed Gallo’s skull with his bare hands in the season finale.

The R-rating means that Marvel Zombies will have the freedom to portray graphic scenes, especially given its storyline involving zombies, which naturally leads to disturbing and intense visuals. With depictions of decapitations, dismemberment, or pulling out bones from undead characters, Marvel will have few limitations on what they can present visually.

Creative Uses of MCU Powers Through Zombified Heroes

In addition to the typical violent encounters and brawls found in R-rated productions, Marvel Zombies will feature a mature narrative enhanced by an array of superpowers. Specifically, when it comes to the undead, characters such as Captain Marvel (portrayed by Alexandra Daniels), Scarlet Witch played by Elizabeth Olsen, and Ghost acted by Hannah John-Kamen, will exhibit their exceptional abilities in unique ways after being transformed into zombies. The series is poised to introduce innovative means of demonstrating these powers that were not previously explored in other projects.

Previously, Marvel Comics featuring zombies have depicted such scenes. For example, “Marvel Zombies: Dead Days” portrayed Cyclops grasping his own head and firing his signature eye beams at adversaries. The comic also showcased T’Challa, the Black Panther, using a crutch due to a lost leg – a detail that echoed in the zombie episode of “What If…?” (one of four episodes featuring the late Chadwick Boseman).

Given the diverse roster of Marvel characters, ranging from humans to zombies, an R-rating allows audiences to witness their extraordinary powers depicted with unprecedented intensity and graphic violence compared to previous instances.

Zombies Could Still Keep Intellect & Personality Intact

In Season 1, Episode 5 of “What If…?”, it was noticeable that once the characters became zombies, they appeared to lose most of their intelligence and unique traits due to infection. The undead characters didn’t have any intelligible dialogue, with Happy Hogan (played by Jon Favreau) making a sound similar to “Blam” after firing his Iron Man blaster being the closest example to coherent speech.

In these comics, when characters become zombies, they still retain their original intellect and personality traits. Translated into Marvel Zombies, this characteristic could lead to darker, unrated scenes that might not be possible with a PG-13 rating.

In a Marvel comic titled “Marvel Zombies Evil Evolution” (Issue 1 Ape X), Spider-Man is depicted in a disturbing scenario where he consumes Aunt May, MJ, and J. Jonah Jameson. One particular frame captures him pleading with Aunt May, saying, “Aunt May, please, go – lock yourself in the bathroom. I can’t – I can’t maintain control.” This dialogue indicates that despite his grim actions, Spider-Man has retained some semblance of his original self and has not yet completely succumbed to madness.

Many anticipate that this series could introduce dialogue for its zombie characters, enhancing the dramatic elements and fostering character development for the series’ antagonists.

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2025-08-17 15:35