‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ is here to shake up the Marvel Cinematic Universe
After years of whispers and months of fervent speculation, “Deadpool & Wolverine” is finally here! The wait is over, and the cinematic clash of these two iconic characters is about to hit the big screen in a whirlwind of action, humor, and, of course, a good dose of R-rated mayhem. Shawn Levy, the director behind this highly anticipated film, knows a thing or two about managing hype, having navigated the whirlwind of anticipation surrounding “Stranger Things” for years. But even he admits to being taken aback by the sheer volume of excitement surrounding “Deadpool & Wolverine.”
“The rumors around this movie are overwhelming,” Levy shared with The Associated Press earlier this year. “But so is the anticipation, which is a nice situation.” Anticipation might be a bit of an understatement for a film that’s poised to become the theatrical event of the summer. The first trailer, which debuted during the Super Bowl, garnered a record-breaking 365 million views online within its first 24 hours. The second trailer shattered another record, claiming the title of most “F-bombs” in the MCU (a whopping six in less than three minutes).
Much of this excitement stems from the fact that this film marks the first time Ryan Reynolds’ irreverent, fourth-wall-breaking Deadpool/Wade Wilson and Hugh Jackman’s iconic Wolverine are being integrated into Kevin Feige’s sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe. Both characters previously resided under the 21st Century Fox banner. When Disney acquired Fox’s film and television assets in early 2019, Wolverine had already met his demise in “Logan,” a third “Deadpool” was in development, and Marvel was still firmly entrenched in the PG-13 territory, a rating that allows for only a solitary F-bomb.
During a call with investors as the deal was finalized, Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger reassured everyone that a Disney Deadpool would retain its R-rating. Shortly after, Reynolds posted a photo on social media showcasing his character sporting Mickey Mouse ears on a yellow school bus labeled “Disney.” The meta humor, it seemed, was also firmly intact. But what would the story be? Levy was announced as the film’s director in early 2022, having been drawn in by Reynolds’ signature snark and fourth-wall-breaking antics.
“There was no way I was going to reinvent a wheel, a tonal wheel, that works so beautifully,” Levy explained. “Both Disney and Marvel, at every level, empowered Ryan and me to make this movie exactly as we dreamed.” Things truly began to take shape when Jackman signed on that fall. This would mark the first time the characters would share the big screen since 2009’s “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.” In the years since, Reynolds and Jackman had engaged in a playful, tongue-in-cheek “feud” on social media, teasing the idea of a reunion on screen.
The Dynamic Duo: Wolverine and Deadpool Collide
The dream, however, seemed to have died after “Logan” and Jackman’s retirement as Wolverine. But death, as they say, is rarely final in the multiverse, and they promised this film wouldn’t interfere with “Logan.” “It’s a really interesting duo,” Levy said. “They’re built for huge conflict with each other because they’re so different individually. But that makes for a very interesting story, because the best two-hander stories, whether it’s ‘Midnight Run’ or ’48 Hours’ or ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles,’ yes, it’s littered with conflict. But it’s ultimately about something more as well, and that’s what audiences will see.”
The dynamic between the characters was further fueled by the real-life friendship between Levy, Jackman, and Reynolds, a bond that spans a decade and includes films like “Free Guy” and “Real Steel.” “The real benefit of being friends off set is that you can try crazy stuff without fear of falling. Because some of it won’t work, and that will be momentarily embarrassing, but if you’re among friends, it’s okay to make a fool of yourself in the pursuit of something surprising and something unexpected,” Levy shared. “This movie is filled with moments, both comedic and character-based, that we didn’t expect and were the result of a freedom that came from being friends.”
At the New York premiere, Jackman and Reynolds were undoubtedly in friend mode, showering each other with praise, devoid of any snark. “(Ryan’s) exactly as you think,” Jackman said. “An extraordinary man. Generous, humble, brilliant, and a great friend.” Reynolds added that Jackman was “someone who operated in a completely different way, did everything through the prism of genuine kindness, diligence, hard work. And that was modeled to me in 2008 when we did our first movie together. And we’ve been best buddies ever since.”
Marvel Multiverse Madness: A New Era of Storytelling
The Marvel multiverse has become somewhat overwhelming in recent years for casual fans who may have seen most of the movies but have only dipped their toes into the Disney+ offerings. These offerings frequently introduce new concepts and characters that eventually make their way to the big screen. “Deadpool & Wolverine,” for instance, utilizes the Time Variance Authority (TVA), a major element of “Loki” but new to the movies, to help transport Deadpool into the MCU. However, Levy assures fans that enjoying “Deadpool & Wolverine” doesn’t require a binge-watching marathon or extensive research.
“I was a good student in school. I’ll do my homework as an adult. But I am definitely not looking to do homework when I go to the movies,” Levy quipped. “I very much made this film with certainly a healthy respect and gratitude towards the rabid fan base that has peak fluency in the mythology and lore of these characters and this world. But I didn’t want to presume that. This movie is built for entertainment, with no obligation to come prepared with prior research.”
The Buzz is Real: Will It Live Up to the Hype?
So, what about the actual content of the film? Well, that’s something Levy remains tight-lipped about. Until the premiere, reporters were only allowed to view 40 minutes of the film. Soon, the floodgates will open, and spoilers will take over social media. But “Deadpool & Wolverine” hasn’t needed to tease plotlines to generate excitement. The fans are already on board and ready for the ride, regardless of whether Taylor Swift is involved (by all accounts, she’s not).
Marvel has experienced some bumps in its Phase 5 rollout, with films like “The Marvels” underperforming financially and others falling short of critical expectations. And outside of the MCU, the industry is grappling with the so-called “superhero fatigue” that has sent DC back to the drawing board to start anew. But “Deadpool & Wolverine” is not to be underestimated. Critics have been largely positive. AP’s Krysta Fauria wrote in her review that the film “leans into its genre more than the franchise’s first two movies.” She cautions that the plot begins to feel a bit aimless toward the end but that, “The bloody but comedic final fight scene … is enough to perk viewers back up for the last act, solidifying the film’s identity as a fun, generally well-made summer movie.”
Box Office Battle: Can It Break Records?
And it could be the first MCU movie since “Spider-Man: No Way Home” to crack $1 billion, which would also place it in the running to become the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. That title currently belongs to “Joker” with its $1.08 billion. It’s currently tracking to open around $160 million, but some bullish analysts are forecasting as high as $200 million. To beat “Barbie’s” opening last year, it has to surpass $162 million.
“Audiences are hungry for a great time at the movies,” Levy said. “They want to be delighted, transported, and entertained. And when they are given that, whether it’s ‘Barbie,’ ‘Oppenheimer,’ or any number of other recent movies, they show up.” He added: “The movie is built for audience delight. I think that (they’re) in for a very fun ride.”
What is the title of the highly anticipated film that is set to shake up the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
The title of the film is “Deadpool & Wolverine.”
Who is the director behind the film “Deadpool & Wolverine” and what is his experience with managing hype?
Shawn Levy, the director of the film, is known for managing hype, having navigated the anticipation surrounding “Stranger Things” for years.
What record did the first trailer of “Deadpool & Wolverine” break, and what unique aspect did the second trailer introduce?
The first trailer of “Deadpool & Wolverine” broke a record by garnering 365 million views online within its first 24 hours. The second trailer introduced the most “F-bombs” in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with six in less than three minutes.
How did the acquisition of Fox’s film and television assets by Disney impact the integration of Deadpool and Wolverine into the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
The acquisition allowed for the integration of Deadpool and Wolverine into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Disney reassuring that Deadpool would retain its R-rating and Ryan Reynolds showcasing meta humor by posting a photo of his character with Mickey Mouse ears.
