Deadpool has returned to the silver screens to save both his timeline and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) after a six-year hiatus. Directed by Shawn Levy—known for his work on “Stranger Things” and “Night at the Museum”— “Deadpool & Wolverine” brings back actor Ryan Reynolds’ character Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool, who is struggling through a midlife crisis “superhero” style in the beginning of the movie.
After hanging up the mask for years to focus on himself and his new job at a car dealership, Wilson must pick it back up after being recruited by the Time Variance Authority (TVA) to save his timeline after the death of Logan/Wolverine, that universe’s Anchor Being. With the assistance of the multiverse’s worst Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman, Wilson sets off on his mission to save his world and befriend the mutant by any means necessary. “Deadpool & Wolverine” joining the MCU as the 34th film to date was bound to excite the public, but it would have been hard to predict the momentum of the Deadpool craze. “The film has set record sales with $1.25 billion globally and is now known as the highest grossing R-rated movie in history since surpassing the ‘Joker’(2019),” wrote Rebecca Rubin with Variety. With booming box office success, the $200 million budget Disney set for the movie seems to have been worth it, as it allowed for Marvel fans to experience their share of desired —yet expensive— cameos.
*Spoiler Alert* Chris Evans returned to the MCU to surprise fans with his pre-Captain America role Johnny Storm from “Fantastic Four” for supposedly $1.5 million in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” His involvement in the movie was confidential until release, a feat considering the behind-the-scenes teasers and leaks. Other cameos including Jennifer Garner returning as Elektra and Wesley Snipes as Blade were expected and added an extra sparkle to the glitter-bomb of a film.
From well-loved cameos to a soundtrack that has inspired multiple social media trends— notably, the iconic ‘Bye Bye Bye’ dance on TikTok— “Deadpool & Wolverine” seems to have been a major success for long-term Marvel fans worldwide, but how do all the inside jokes and references pair with new fans?
It’s recommended that new fans do their research, especially with the TVA and the idea of the multiverse being brought back into the Marvel fold. The TVA, first appearing in the TV series “Agents of Shield” and more popularly recognized in “Loki,” explained how the multiverse could exist without collapsing due to their corrections to the timeline. Those who have not watched the show or any movie after “Avengers: Endgame” (2019) could find themselves being extremely confused or even bored while sitting in the theaters. For some hardcore Marvel fans, this film was taken as a loss as it didn’t fill the hole left from “Endgame.” According to a one-star reviewer on IMDB, “the writing is crude and low-brow” and “Stan Lee would be really disappointed in what they’ve done with his work.” Despite the few who insist that “Deadpool & Wolverine” missed the mark, the film is Certified Fresh by Rotten Tomatoes with a 79% rating and most feel that Deadpool (and Wolverine) is exactly what the doctor ordered to cure the MCU.
Deadpool, or Marvel Jesus/MJ as he refers to himself throughout the two-hour long film, might be the savior Marvel fans have been praying for. After the losses experienced in “Avengers: Endgame,” many fans were left emotionally broken, yet craving more. The question was how to give that “more” with many of the beloved characters either dead, aging, or retired. The prequels such as “Black Widow” (2021) or TV shows like “Wandavision” (2021) have been the main way Marvel has carried on the Avengers legacy, but none of those avenues have truly completed the task of re-lighting the Marvel love, “Deadpool & Wolverine” just might be the flamethrower necessary to accomplish that task. With Marvel fans rushing back to the theaters for midnight showings and buying out merchandise, Marvel Jesus might just live up to his namesake by saving both his timeline and the MCU. . . or not.