After that Deadpool 3 trailer, I’m convinced that Deadpool and Wolverine will save the MCU
Feb. 16, 2024Opinion | The Deadpool 3 trailer has convinced me that Wade Wilson will save the MCU
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The adamantium claws are out for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and although we once feared Wade Wilson might never get to join the spandex-clad ranks of the Avengers, Shawn Levy’sDeadpool 3(now officially titled Deadpool & Wolverine) is ushering in a new era. The Stranger Things executive producer follows in the footsteps of previous Deadpool directors Tim Miller and David Leitch, but with the hopes of the MCU resting on his shoulders, the stakes are higher than ever.
Growing pains
X-Men: First Classdirector Matthew Vaughn recently told theBroBiblepodcast that from the snippets he knows, Deadpool & Wolverine is going to bring the MCU back to life, adding, “I think Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman are about to save the whole Marvel universe.” Levy and co. seemingly know this, and alongside promises to change our “little” cinematic universe, the not-so-subtle jibe where Deadpool refers to himself as “Marvel Jesus” is a wink to the audience while keeping Deadpool’s smarmy self-reverence. Given that the first Deadpool & Wolverine trailer broke records as the most-viewed trailer onYouTubein just 24 hours, early signs are positive that he really can be the Marvel messiah.
Speaking of “stronger franchises,” it feels like a true continuation of Fox’s X-Men movies. As the cherry on top, Jackman promising Deadpool & Wolverine won’t mess with Wolverine’s emotional swansong in James Mangold’sLogangives fans the best of both worlds. Deadpool and Wolverine won’t be saving the MCU alone, and alongside a who’s who of Deadpool staples, the surprise return of Aaron Stanford’s Pyro suggests we’ve only scratched the surface of familiar faces suiting up.
Big names like James Marsden and Famke Janssen have previously expressed an interest in reprising their roles, while Patrick Stewart’s Professor Charles Xavier seems likely if you believe the theories thatEmma Corrin is playing Cassandra Nova. Remembering howX-Men: Days of Future Pastis widely regarded as the ‘best’ X-Men movie by bridging the Stewart and [James] McAvoy eras, bringing back the old guard is a hopeful recipe for box office success.
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Deadpool & Wolverine marks another important milestone as theMCU’s first R-rated movie. Many think a more adult MCU will help it get back on top, and although the Deadpool & Wolverine trailer having lewd jokes about “pegging” might not be what we expected, the series’ signature fourth-wall-breaking brand hasn’t been diluted by the House of Mouse. A blood-soaked Deadpool and plenty of F-bombs show this isn’t your typical MCU movie, and unlike Chris Pratt’s potty mouth in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, it doesn’t feel out of place here.
Even though an R-rating is a gamble compared to the broader appeal of something likeAvengers: Endgame’s PG-13 rating, Deadpool earning $782.2 million at the box office and Deadpool 2 beating it with $785.8 million places the pair as the third and fourth highest-grossing R-rated movies of all time. History has taught us that a third Deadpool movie was likely to be a hit even without Disney, however, making him part of the 616 timeline, throwing in the return of Wolverine, and sprinkling in some legacy cameos means Deadpool & Wolverine stands a chance of knockingJokerand its $1.079 billion from the top spot.
It would be unfair to hinge the fate of the MCU on Deadpool & Wolverine, because, let’s be honest, the franchise’s problems run much deeper. Marvel outings are increasingly divisive, and with theJonathan Majors situationleaving us worried for the next big team-up in what was supposed to beAvengers: The Kang Dynasty, Deadpool & Wolverine can set the stage with all this crossover chaos. Either way, a six-year wait and a decline in MCU quality have only made us more ravenous to see what the Merc with a Mouth can do with the world’s highest-grossing franchise. If nothing else, seeingSuccession’s Matthew Macfadyenas another corporate shill is enough to have us there on day one.
For more on Marvel, here’s you guide tohow to watch the Marvel movies in orderand all of theupcoming Marvel movies and showswe know about.
Tom Chapman is a hero and horror-loving writer from Manchester, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism from Leeds University. He has over eight years of experience writing about all things movies, TV, and video games, even having a stint writing about Game of Thrones in Germany. Tom’s bylines include Digital Spy, Den of Geek, GGRecon, IGN, Radio Times, Yahoo!, and more. With a love of all things Westeros and WandaVision, Tom has (almost) done it all. When not practising his Billy Butcher impression or diving into the latest Chuck Palahniuk book, you’ll find Tom conjuring up his dream cast for a Scream movie.
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