Breaking the Fourth Wall…and Into New Territory
From his earliest appearance in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool—or Wade Wilson, or “the Merc with a Mouth,” as he’s variously known—has garnered a cult following for his irreverence, snappy one-liners, and ability to break the fourth wall. Finally getting his full glory in 2016 with the first Deadpool movie and its 2018 sequel, Deadpool has managed to leave an indelible mark on the R-rated cinematic landscape, coming second only to Joker in terms of box office pull.
“Both films are among the highest-grossing R-rated films of all time, only being beaten by Joker,” the sources say.
Industry Tectonics: From Fox to the MCU
Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019 created a seismic shift, suddenly making characters from Fox’s X-Men franchise available for Marvel Studios’ use. We’ve already seen hints of this crossover with Evan Peters popping up in Wandavision and Patrick Stewart reprising his role as Charles Xavier in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
The Web of Surprises
Ryan Reynolds recently took to his YouTube channel to share an update about the much-anticipated Deadpool 3. If the teaser wasn’t already captivating enough, the cameo by Hugh Jackman announcing his return as Wolverine set the internet ablaze.
“Hey Hugh, you wanna play Wolverine one more time?” Reynolds is heard asking, to which Jackman affirms with a “yes,” followed by Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” setting the mood for what promises to be an epic reunion.
Release Date Gymnastics
Scheduled for November 8, 2024, after two previous date shifts, the production hit an abrupt pause due to the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, adding a layer of unpredictability to the release date. Shawn Levy, the film’s director, shared his frustration about the uncertainty:
“We’ve shot half the movie. I’ve edited half the movie. We’re dying to get back to work and get this movie out next year.”
Will Deadpool 3 be MCU-Official?
Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige has confirmed that Deadpool 3 will be set within the MCU framework. Given the recent events in the Multiverse Saga, including the introduction of characters from other timelines, this film could be another such crossover adventure.
The Cast Returns…Mostly
Most of the original Deadpool cast is returning, including Morena Baccarin as Vanessa and Karan Soni as Dopinder. The film also promises some new faces, including Emma Corrin, known for her role as Princess Diana in Netflix’s The Crown.
“And what we pitched [Jackman] was enough of a divergence from the character that he knows and the character that he’s left behind, that it gives him something completely new to play,” said Ryan Reynolds in an interview.
R for Rambunctious
Bob Iger and Kevin Feige have gone on record stating that Deadpool 3 will retain its R-rating. This stays true to the franchise’s legacy and opens the door for more adult-oriented Marvel movies in the future.
“And it has Logan in it. And it has Wolverine in it. It’s too fun. I’m having so much fun, and I haven’t even hit the shooting floor yet,” said Shawn Levy.
Streaming the Past While Awaiting the Future
If you’re looking to catch up, both Deadpool films, along with other 20th Century X-Men films, are now available on Disney+.
What’s Next for the ‘Pool?
While we wait for updates on Deadpool 3, the cast and crew assure us that the third installment will be worth the wait. With its unique blend of humor, action, and fourth-wall-breaking antics, Deadpool 3 is shaping up to be another pop culture phenomenon. And if you’re still on the fence, just remember: Deadpool + Wolverine + MCU. Need we say more?
“Working with Logan and having Logan and Wade together in a movie is beyond any dream I would ever be audacious enough to have. So I’m really, really super excited to do this film,” Ryan Reynolds gushed.
