Ben Stiller’s Speech to Lower R-Rating for Zoolander: “It Was So Ridiculous”

Ben Stiller Reflects on the R Rating Controversy of Zoolander

Ben Stiller has shed light on his efforts to change the R rating of his iconic film, Zoolander. Released over two decades ago, this comedy has gained a dedicated following, thanks to its unique plot centered on a clueless fashion model who becomes a pawn in a plot to assassinate the Prime Minister of Malaysia. In addition to directing, Stiller plays the charismatic lead, Derek Zoolander, alongside a talented cast that includes Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, Christine Taylor, and his father, Jerry Stiller.

The Rating Battle

In a candid interview on Hot Ones, Stiller detailed his struggle to convince the Motion Picture Association (MPA) to reconsider the film’s rating. A particularly controversial scene, affectionately referred to as the “goat orgy,”was a sticking point for the rating board. This led Stiller to appeal for a PG-13 rating rather than the R he received, expressing concern that the required cuts could compromise the humor of his work.

I remember having to go speak to the arbitration board when they wanted to get Zoolander an R-rating. The goat orgy thing was something that they didn’t care for. Or they didn’t think it was wholesome enough. And it was just so ridiculous, the whole thing is so ridiculous. I wrote like a little speech and I had to go through it all. And I think I had to talk about other movies that had come out that had had, you know, worse things in them. No, I mean, but this was a real thing. It was nerve-wracking, because it was so important. Because, you know, when you have a comedy and you have jokes that you know work, the last thing you want to do is have to cut them for a rating.

Impacts of the R Rating on Zoolander

Box Office Challenges

Ultimately, Stiller’s attempts were unsuccessful, and Zoolander was released with an R rating. While such a rating can limit a film’s box office performance by decreasing its potential audience, it also allowed Stiller to retain the integrity of the comedic elements he had crafted. Although the film employs relatively mild profanity and sexual themes, the R rating granted the filmmakers some leeway to include edgier jokes than would be permissible under a PG-13 classification.

However, this decision had repercussions for Zoolander‘s box office performance. With a production budget of approximately $28 million, the film grossed about $60.7 million worldwide. Typically, films need to earn 2 to 2.5 times their production costs to break even, suggesting that Zoolander barely managed to cover its expenses. A sequel, released 15 years later, managed to secure a PG-13 rating but was met with critical backlash and underperformed financially despite a larger budget.

An Analysis of the Rating Dilemma

Box Office Viability of R-Rated Films

The case of Zoolander underscores the challenges imposed by the MPA’s rating system. While some films clearly fit within the established categories, others, like Zoolander, often find themselves navigating gray areas that can significantly impact their financial success. This unfortunate reality manifested in the film’s initial box office struggles, though it has since become a cherished comedy classic of the early 2000s.

Fans can currently stream Zoolander on platforms like Prime Video and Paramount+.

Source: First We Feast / YouTube

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