After the massive success of Joker becoming the first R-rated film to cross the billion dollar mark, many have been expecting DC to go in this new R-rated direction. Many have been especially hoping for Harley Quinn to receive the R-rating treatment in her upcoming film Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). Fortunately, a lot of DC fans will be happy to know that Ms. Quinn will be receiving that treatment, as Birds of Prey has received an R-rating by the MPAA.

The film has been rated R for “strong violence and language throughout, and some sexual and drug material.” Unlike some of the DCEU’s earlier films, Birds of Prey has a much smaller budget ranging between $75-$85 million, especially compared to Suicide Squad’s $175 million. Considering this is in mind, it seems Warner Bros was willing to take the risk on making Harley Quinn’s next adventure, with the R-rating being symbolic for a Suicide Squad spin-off given how it came out the same year as Deadpool, which helped bring back the R-rating to superhero blockbusters. Technically, this is the first R-rated DCEU film unless you do not count Batman v. Superman‘s Ultimate Cut that was exclusive to Blu-Ray.

This is very promising for DC fans eager to see Warner Bros take more risks with their comic book movies. Given how Joker becoming one of the most profitable films of all time on only a $50 million dollar budget, hopefully the same success could come to Harley Quinn.

Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn is set for release February 7th 2020.