James Gunn reveals MPAA originally gave Scooby-Doo an R-rating

January 31st 2020, 2:25pm

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Director Raja Gosnell and screenwriter James Gunn’s 2002 reboot of SCOOBY-DOO with Matthew Lillard, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr., and Linda Cardellini has become quite the classic over the years. And today Gunn took to Twitter to confirm that not only was the movie originally supposed to be rated PG-13, but the first MPAA rating was R.

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Gunn revealed over a series of tweets:

The movie was originally meant to be PG-13 & was cut down to PG after like 3 parents were outraged at a test screening in Sacramento. The studio decided to go a more family-friendly route. Yes, the first MPAA rating was R, but it was only because of one stupid joke the MPAA misinterpreted. Language and jokes and sexual situations were removed, including a kiss between Daphne and Velma. Cleavage was CGI’d over. But, thankfully, the farting remained. I thought at the time the rating change was a mistake. I felt like a lot of teens came out for the first film and didn’t get what they wanted (and didn’t come back for the sequel). But today I don’t know. So many young kids loved those movies, which is pretty cool. Also, for the record, I doubt any of those old cuts still exist.

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SCOOBY-DOO (2002) began two years after a clash of egos forced Mystery Inc. to close its doors. The gang are summoned to Spooky Island to investigate a series of paranormal incidents at the ultra-hip Spring Break hot spot destination that owner Emile Mondavarious (Rowan Atkinson) claims is plagued with ghosts. Suspicious as usual of any claims involving the paranormal, the Mystery Inc. clan is soon probing a scheme involving ancient rites, summoned spirits, and brainwashed college students, forcing the group members to resolve their differences and uncover the truth.

SCOOBY-DOO (2002) was directed by Raja Gosnell from a screenplay written by James Gunn from a story by Gunn and Craig Titley based on characters by Joe Ruby and Ken Spears. Charles Roven and Richard Suckle produced. Warner Bros. Pictures released it back on June 14, 2002.