Deadpool & Wolverine star Ryan Reynolds recently explained that Wade Wilson/Deadpool was not originally supposed to live through the film's events. In addition to Reynolds, the movie also featured veteran Marvel star Hugh Jackman as Logan/James Howlett/Wolverine. Though it is set in the multiverse of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Deadpool & Wolverine is less Deadpool's MCU debut than it is a farewell to the Fox X-Men films both title characters originated from. As the third Deadpool movie, it also serves to conclude the Merc With a Mouth's arc.
In an appearance on The Box Office Podcast, Reynolds explained how Wade's story almost ended differently and why it didn't:
There’s always the thought of killing Deadpool in the last one. Again, it’s like listening to the movie. Me, [editors] Shane Reid, Dean Zimmerman, and [director] Shawn Levy must have reworked that third act for 45 days straight.
The actor continued by explaining that the choice to use Madonna's "Like A Prayer" made the film's third act work for him. He stated: "Finally figuring it out — I am such a needle-drop person, but I’m really working hard to embrace score. It was [composer] Rob Simonsen who really helped us get there by blending score, needle drop, and all these things that gave you that feeling we were working for."
Beyond Wade's ending, Reynolds also unpacked why the Deadpool & Wolverine was treated as a broader ending for the older X-Men films. He "liked the misdirect for audiences, thinking [Deadpool] was entering the MCU," including the excitement over Jon Favreau's cameo towards the beginning of the film. However, its writers "looked back instead of forward." Reynolds felt that "it was emotionally resonant to have a send-off, an acknowledgment of what got us to here; warts and all, the movies that didn’t work, the movies that worked.”
What Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool & Wolverine Comments Mean
Ryan Reynolds Previously Said Wade's Arc Was Over
Previously, Reynolds discussed how the Deadpool trilogy told a complete story for Wade and why he doesn't see himself writing another sequel with the antihero as the lead. Per Reynolds, "centering Deadpool works best if you take everything away from him and put his back against the wall." As a creative, giving Wade another similar story for the "fourth time feels a little iterative and redundant." However, he would consider reprising the character as a side role, noting that Deadpool is "a great ing or ensemble player."
I Can't Believe Avengers: Infinity War's Directors Imagined Wolverine's Deadpool & Wolverine Backstory 5 Years Before It Actually Happened
The Russo bros. once imagined what Wolverine's story could have looked like in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, and it sounds quite familiar.
Between his initial desire to kill Wade off and his reluctance to take on another leading turn, Reynolds seems to be prioritizing storytelling. Because he has undergone his full arc, Deadpool doesn't have a lot of depth to be further explored, but that doesn't mean he can't still show up as a ing character.
Our Take On Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool & Wolverine Comments
There's Still Room For Deadpool In The MCU
While Reynolds' Deadpool is a fan-favorite character, he did have three whole movies to develop, and giving him a break would make sense. This is especially true given his irreverent humor, which allows him to easily slot into an ensemble as the comedic relief. It would be disappointing if Reynolds never played Wade again after Deadpool & Wolverine, but that doesn't mean he has to headline another solo film.
Deadpool & Wolverine
- Release Date
- July 26, 2024
- Runtime
- 127 Minutes
WHERE TO WATCH
MCU Movies
Source: GamesRadar+
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