Marvel Studios’ recent release, Deadpool & Wolverine, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, has been one of the most anticipated movies from the studios. Directed by Shawn Levy, the movie showcases Deadpool partnering up with Wolverine from another universe to save his universe and the people in it. The movie has received positive response from the critics as well as the audience proving that indeed it is going to change the course of MCU.
The character of Deadpool was created by Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza and first appeared in New Mutants #98. Initially depicted as a super-villain, Deadpool gradually transformed into an antihero. Reynolds’ Deadpool first appeared in X-Men Origins: Wolverine before emerging as a fan-favorite character in his standalone trilogy. The creator expressed his satisfaction with the portrayal of the character compared to the time when he was horrified with it.
Comic book creator Rob Liefeld describes Deadpool’s character in X-Men: Origins: Wolverine as ‘horrifying’
Wade Wilson, a.k.a. Deadpool played by Ryan Reynolds made his live-action debut in 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine, where he was introduced as a wise-cracking, highly skilled mercenary. The character was later killed by Victor Creed, a.k.a. Sabretooth, before he is transformed into a mute and obedient Weapon XI. The creator of the character, Rob Liefeld, was not happy with how his creation was showcased in the movie, and upon his appearance on The Big Thing, he said,
I was very disappointed by it. I knew that they were mistreating him a year out. So, I begged them to do an after-credit with him in the mask coming out six weeks before it premiered. Look at X-Men Origins: Wolverine; after the opening with Ryan cutting the bullets with the katanas, that movie does not exist to me.
The creator also took to his social media to comment on the concept art for Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine and simply quoted the tweet by writing, ‘Horrified then, horrified still’. In another interview with CBR, the creator had mentioned,
Wolverine: Origins—why was that movie polarizing? Of course, it’s because Deadpool wasn’t portrayed in a way that anyone was familiar with. But it is because Ryan Reynolds sold it so well in the first 20 minutes. Man, I’m like, ‘That’s him. That’s him. Oh my gosh. That’s him’.
The version of Deadpool in X-Men Origins did not have his signature suit and mask and included his mouth sewn. Reynolds, in his interview with Collider back then, shared that initially he was supposed to appear as a cameo, but the makers decided to add a bit more. But it was mentioned that the actor took the criticism from the X-Men movie about his character and developed it more for 2016’s Deadpool, his standalone movie.
Rob Liefeld calls Deadpool &Wolverine a ‘reward to the comic book fandom’
For any creator, watching their creation live on-screen is a huge thing, and after being disappointed with X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Rob Liefeld was relieved to see Reynolds making an effort to do everything right for the character. In his recent string of tweets, he mentioned that Reynolds has stated in several interviews, he didn’t want to make a film that is a commercial for another film.
And aptly this movie is not a commercial for another movie but it is indeed a comic book-fueled romp, built for maximum viewing and enjoyment. Liefeld added that is what the fans continue to share as to why they love it so much.
The creator appreciated the actor for portraying the characters well in the third installment of the movie. He added that this movie feeds the hunger for X-Men and delivers multiple benchmarks fans have been anticipating for decades. Coming from a place where he had been horrified and disappointed with how his creation was showcased on-screen, Liefeld noted,
This is the very best sampling of fan service in this film, honors the comic book legacies that built these legacies, electrifies the audience. It is a reward to the comic book fandom.
Upon the release of the trailer for the movie, Liefeld wrote on his social media that the movie has got the best action since Winter Soldier, adding that it will be up there with the best comic book film of all time.
Deadpool & Wolverine is playing in cinemas.
Frequently asked questions
Why was Rob Liefeld unhappy with Deadpool’s portrayal in X-Men Origins: Wolverine?
Liefeld, who co-created Deadpool with Fabian Nicieza, said he was disappointed because the 2009 film mistreated the character: Wade Wilson is attacked by Victor Creed (Sabretooth) and later transformed into a mute Weapon XI, losing his signature suit, mask, and wisecracking personality along the way, with his mouth sewn shut. Liefeld has said, “I was very disappointed by it. I knew that they were mistreating him a year out,” and later tweeted about the film’s concept art, “Horrified then, horrified still.”
What did Rob Liefeld say about Deadpool & Wolverine compared to the 2009 film?
Liefeld praised Deadpool & Wolverine, calling it “the very best sampling of fan service in this film” that “honors the comic book legacies that built these legacies, electrifies the audience,” adding that “it is a reward to the comic book fandom.” He credited Ryan Reynolds with making sure the movie wasn’t “a commercial for another film,” and said it delivers some of the best action since Winter Soldier, a sharp contrast to his disappointment with the 2009 depiction.
Who created Deadpool and when did he first appear?
Deadpool was created by Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza, first appearing in New Mutants #98 as a villain before evolving into an antihero. Ryan Reynolds’ live-action version debuted in 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine before headlining his own films, including 2016’s Deadpool and 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine, directed by Shawn Levy.
