Rumors on the Internet have been buzzing of late that graphic puppet sex will land SOUTH PARKs Trey Parker and Matt Stones new marionette film, TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE, an NC-17 rating from the MPAA. However, the demented duo are contractually obligated to give distributor Paramount Pictures a cut that squeaks out an R-rating, reports VARIETY. Parker and Stone are not new to debating issues with the MPAA. SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER, UNCUT also received an NC-17 at first. After several trims, the film was released with an R-rating in 1999 and went on to gross $52 million on a budget of $20 million. That film had the popularity of the TV going for it, so well have to wait until Oct. 15, 2004 when TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE hits the theaters, to see whether Parker and Stones name alone can sell a foul-mouthed, political and pop culture satire that stars THUNDERBIRDS-like puppets.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
