The DC animated movies have never been targeted at kids. They are gritty and violent. And usually stick pretty close to the comic books upon which they are based. So it should come as no surprise that DC has given the filmmakers behind the upcoming Batman: The Killing Joke movie permission to be as R rated as they need to be. Most of the DC animated movies thus far have been rated PG-13.

This news broke at NYCC 2015. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment was holding down a Q&A panel for the upcoming animated movie Batman: Bad Blood, where producer James Tucker discussed the future of DC animation. James Tucker revealed that DC has given his team permission to make Batman: The Killing Joke R rated. But that doesn't mean he's going to. SticthKingdom were on the scene and had this to say.

"DC gave permission to make Killing Joke movie for R rating. Just to clarify, James Tucker said he was given okay to make Killing Joke for R rating but added that doesn't mean he will."

Afterwards, producer James Tucker was quick to clarify what he had actually said. According to him, a rating will not be decided for quite sometime. And while Deadpool is just now starting to open the door to R rated superhero fare, Batman: The Killing Joke may not be traveling down that same road, despite the comic's violent nature. He stated the following.

"Never fails that I get misquoted at a con! I'm not directing "Killing Joke" and what rating it gets won't be decided for a long time."

Bruce W. Timm announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2015 that the next DC Universe Original Movie will be an adaptation of Batman: The Killing Joke. Bruce W. Timm is executive producing the animated superhero movie, which, according to DC Comics, will feature, "an original 15-minute prologue that helps set up the story, giving even longtime fans of the story something new to look forward to." No voice cast members have been announced. The movie should arrive a few months after Batman: Bad Blood, with both being released in 2016.

Batman: The Killing Joke is the seminal graphic novel written by Alan Moore and drawn by Brian Bolland that offers up a potential (but not exactly trustworthy) origin for the Joker, and that led to a paralyzed Barbara Gordon to retire as Batgirl...temporarily. For years, it's been one of the most regularly requested animated films by fans. What do you think? Are you ready for an R rated DC animated superhero adventure?