Sylvester Stallone regrets The Expendables 3 being rated PG-13.
The 68-year-old actor said as much in an interview with Crave Online. The Expendables 3 failed to match the success of The Expendables and The Expendables 2, and Stallone told the website any sequels will definitely be rated R.
"Absolutely, unequivocally yes," he said of future ratings. "I believe [Expendables 3 being PG-13] was a horrible miscalculation on everyone's part in trying to reach a wider audience, but in doing such, diminish the violence that the audience expects. I'm quite certain it won't happen again."
Stallone directed the first film, and wrote and starred as Barney Ross in all three. The Expendables (2010) grossed $274 million, while The Expendables 2 (2012) raked in $311 million. The Expendables 3 earned $206 million, and was also hurt by an early leak online.
Stallone has female-led Expendables spinoff The Expendabelles in the works, but also hinted at an Expendables 4. Expendables 3 director Patrick Hughes suggested time travel in a different interview with Crave Online, and the actor said he is open to plot ideas.
"I have actually entertained the idea of putting the group into such an unnatural environment that it, in and of itself, creates extra suspense and tension: the 'fish out of water' scenario," he revealed. "That environment may not be time travel, but nearly just as jarring."
Expendables 3 will release an unrated version on DVD and Blu-ray on Tuesday. Stallone is scheduled for a number of films, including Reach Me with Expendables 3 co-stars Terry Crews and Kelsey Grammer, Rambo: Last Blood and animated movie Animal Crackers.