Edited 'King's Speech' coming to Utah

SANDY — An alternate PG-13 version of The Kings Speech is coming to Megaplex Theatres Friday.

Megaplex plans to show the new version of the 2010 Best Picture at its Jordan Commons location in Sandy, The District in South Jordan, The Junction in Ogden, and if allowed, other local locations.

The film, produced by the Weinstein Company, won four of its 12 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay. The original version was rated R for excessive use of the F-word. The Motion Picture Association of America changed the rating when Weinstein agreed to mute some of the profanity.

Traditionally, PG-13 rated films fare better than R-rated films, said Blake Andersen, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Megaplex Theatres. We expect many Utahns who did not see the film during its original release to be drawn to the alternate version of the film.

The MPAA said the rating change was justified.

The movie rating system has endured for more than 40 years because it was designed to evolve not only with societal values, but with the growth and evolution of the motion picture industry itself, said Bob Pisano, President and Interim CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America. The Weinstein Company has undertaken a commitment to ensure, through a revised advertising campaign, that it will be clear to consumers that a newly rated version of this film is coming to theaters near them. In this case a waiver is justified.

The Megaplex Theatres include Jordan Commons in Sandy, Gateway in Salt Lake City, Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, The Junction in Ogden and The District in South Jordan. Megaplex Theatres show times and other group information can be found on the web at www.MegaplexTheatres.com or by calling (801) 304-4636.