After an extensive hiatus of nearly six years following the conclusion of Fox's "X-Men" film series and Disney's acquisition, Deadpool has triumphantly returned, making his way into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). During the 2024 Super Bowl, fans were treated to the first trailer of "Deadpool and Wolverine."
Ryan Reynolds reprises his role as the irreverent Merc With a Mouth, and he's not alone. Joining him is Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, a character last seen meeting his demise in the 2017 film "Logan." The trailer showcases the Time Variance Authority, the multiverse overseers previously seen in the second season of "Loki." They abduct Deadpool while he is celebrating his birthday and transport him into the MCU. Embracing the moniker of "Marvel Jesus," Deadpool pledges to bring his trademark R-rated humor and fourth-wall-breaking antics into Disney's family-friendly domain. Although Wolverine's face remains concealed, his presence is teased from behind, and the trailer concludes with Deadpool preparing to face off against him, with only his shadow revealed.
The production of "Deadpool 3" encountered a setback due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, resulting in a four-month hiatus and a rescheduled release date from May 3 to July 26.
The first "Deadpool" film revolved around the anti-hero's quest for vengeance against Ajax (Ed Skrein), the man responsible for transforming him into a mutant and leaving him disfigured. The sequel focused on Deadpool assembling the X-Force team to combat the time-traveling soldier Cable (Josh Brolin). When "Deadpool 2" hit theaters in 2018, it shattered records with an impressive $18.6 million opening at the North American box office. Two years prior, the original "Deadpool" enjoyed similar success, debuting domestically with an astonishing $132.4 million, setting a new record for an R-rated film.
Looking ahead to the forthcoming film, "Deadpool 3" director Shawn Levy shared his insights in an essay for Esquire. He revealed that the movie would pay homage to the iconic "Star Wars" franchise, particularly in one pivotal scene. Levy expressed his admiration for a specific moment between Vader and Luke and how he drew inspiration from its cinematography, blocking, framing, and tempo. The astute "Star Wars" enthusiasts will be delighted to spot this homage within the context of the "Deadpool" movie, as it captures a cherished memory for the director. Levy also expressed his satisfaction with working on a Marvel project and emphasized the sense of empowerment and personal connection that comes with contributing to a vast cinematic universe. He affirmed that "Deadpool" aligns perfectly with the vision he and Ryan Reynolds envisioned when they embarked on this endeavor.
