“We’re not going to pretend”: Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool 3 May Honor One Marvel Superhero Team That Predates MCU
Deadpool 3, starring Ryan Reynolds, has become the latest project in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to face the unwelcome intrusion of spoiler leaks and courtesy of paparazzi. The excitement surrounding Deadpool 3 is not without reason. The film promises to be a landmark entry in the MCU, not only because of Ryan Reynolds’ return as the irreverent antihero Deadpool but also due to Hugh Jackman’s highly anticipated reprisal of his iconic role as Wolverine.
For fans of both characters, this crossover event has been a long time coming, and it’s made all the more significant by their official entry into Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe. This move follows Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, which brought together two previously separate cinematic worlds under one banner. Shawn Levy, the director of Deadpool 3, has confirmed that the film will not turn a blind eye to the intricate history of the X-Men within the context of the 20th Century Fox Studios.
Exploring Fox’s Marvel Legacy Through Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool 3
Disney’s 2019 acquisition of Fox was a game-changer in the entertainment industry, especially for superhero films. It brought immense anticipation for the inclusion of the X-Men, a franchise that thrived at Fox, notably with Deadpool’s R-rated success, thanks to Ryan Reynolds‘ charismatic portrayal. Integrating Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine into the Disney-owned MCU posed a unique challenge, as fans and filmmakers pondered their transition from Fox’s darker tone to the more family-friendly and interconnected MCU. Shawn Levy told Total Film Magazine ( Via Slashfilm),
“We’re not going to pretend: ‘Oh, we snap our fingers, and suddenly that Fox legacy doesn’t exist, and it shaped a lot of what we now know as the MCU.’ Fox also shaped Ryan’s career, Hugh’s career and my career. So there’s a lot of history there, and there’s a lot of Marvel history at Fox. And certainly that’s a part of our storytelling.”
Levy emphasized that while Deadpool and Wolverine are undeniably iconic Marvel characters, they are equally iconic as products of the Fox era. This creative direction ensures that the upcoming film will pay homage to the roots of these beloved characters, retaining the essence of what made them fan favorites in the first place. By doing so, Levy and his team aim to seamlessly bridge the gap between the Fox era and the MCU, offering a fresh take on the characters while preserving the essence that fans have come to love.
Merging Fox-Owned Marvel Characters into the MCU’s Ever-Growing Roster
Disney currently holds the reins of Marvel Studios, the powerhouse responsible for shepherding the MCU, a juggernaut that has reaped billions of dollars over the past decade thanks to iconic characters like the Avengers, Black Panther, Guardians of the Galaxy, and many more. However, there’s an intriguing subplot in the world of Marvel movies – the lingering rights to certain characters that reside with other studios, a vestige of agreements made prior to the MCU’s inception.
Disney’s acquisition of Fox opened the door to incorporating Fox-owned Marvel characters like the X-Men and the Fantastic Four into the MCU, exciting fans. Before Disney’s acquisition of Fox, some of the most beloved and enduring comic book films were birthed by 20th Century Fox. Disney’s absorption of this production company brought those films and their cherished characters under the same corporate roof, setting the stage for unprecedented storytelling potential.
The prospect of these once-separate cinematic universes converging is nothing short of tantalizing. The clash of superpowers, the weaving of intricate storylines, and the convergence of beloved characters promise to be a visual and narrative spectacle of epic proportions. The possibilities for storytelling and character interactions within this merged Marvel universe are virtually limitless, offering fans a treasure trove of entertainment that extends far beyond the silver screen and into the realm of dreams fulfilled.
Deadpool 3 will arrive in theatres on May 3, 2024.
Source: Total Film Magazine (via Slashfilm)
