NEW YORK – "The King’s Speech" has been washed out with soap.
The Weinstein Company announced Thursday that the Oscar best picture winner will be released in a PG-13 version, meaning it is suitable for teens. The original release of the film was rated R — restricted for adults — by the Motion Picture Association of America for a handful of swears.
The Weinstein Company didn’t say what edits were made to alter the rating.
The new cut will open April 1 on 1,000 screens, replacing the R-rated original. The long-rumored move is expected to widen the film’s audience and help boost the box office, which has reached $132.9 million domestically.
Colin Firth stars as stammering King George VI, whose angry swearing fit helps him momentarily overcome his speech problem. Firth has said the film should "stand as it is."
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