On February 11th, in the middle of the Super Bowl, the world got its first glimpse of Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool and Wolverine.” Within 24 hours of its release, the trailer smashed records with an unprecedented 365 million views, making it the most-viewed trailer since Marvel’s previous venture, “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” This highly anticipated film comes after a string of mediocre and disappointing films from Marvel, such as “The Marvels,” that not only fell limp at the box office but also failed to make any impact on the general public. Thus, it comes as no surprise that Marvel fans are hoping for this movie to provide Marvel with a new formula and a fresher look.
For starters, this movie marks the entry of Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool into the Disney-owned MCU. The character was owned by 20th Century Fox until the company was acquired by Disney in March 2019. Deadpool, known for his snarky wit and his penchant for breaking the fourth wall, has been a fan favorite since his debut in the 2016 film “Deadpool.” His integration into the family-friendly Marvel Cinematic Universe has been a topic of speculation and excitement among fans for years. Now, with the trailer’s release, it’s clear that Deadpool is ready to shake things up in the MCU. However, what has people in even more of a frenzy is the appearance of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine alongside Deadpool. Jackman, who portrayed the iconic mutant for nearly two decades, seemingly retired from the role after his performance in 2017’s “Logan.” However, his return to the role has ignited excitement and speculation, with fans coming up with many creative theories.
“I’ve been looking forward to this movie since the pictures of the set were leaked in 2021,” Lambert sophomore Risith Chintala said. “The conspiracy theories surrounding the movie are wild since Deadpool and Wolverine are from a different timeline. So it’s going to be cool to see how Marvel connects it to the Phase 4 timeline.”
The movie’s plot is also very intriguing. The multiverse has been a hot topic in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially with the introduction of the Time Variance Authority in the Disney+ series “Loki.” The Time Variance Authority, or TVA, is an agency that monitors all realities and timelines. Ever since this film was announced, fans have been wondering how Deadpool and Wolverine will fit into the MCU’s timeline and what implications their arrival will have for the cinematic universe.
The trailer itself offers glimpses into the film’s plot, with Deadpool being kidnapped by the Time Variance Authority and finding himself in the same world as the Avengers. While Deadpool’s humor and chaotic energy are on full display, Jackman’s Wolverine remains more enigmatic and mysterious, keeping the suspense alive for many.
However, this movie doesn’t just bank on the return of familiar faces. The trailer hints at a larger ensemble cast, including well-known faces like Emma Corrin and Matthew Macfadyen as well as some surprise cameos that are being kept tightly under wraps. The movie also has a spectacular director, Shawn Levy, who is known for his ability to blend action, humor and heart in films like “Free Guy” and “Night at the Museum.”
“Deadpool and Wolverine” also allows Disney the chance to move the MCU in a different direction and potentially revamp their formula to appeal to a more mature audience. Deadpool, notoriously known as the Merc with a Mouth, will hopefully bring his signature R-rated humor to Disney’s MCU, marking a departure from their family-friendly movies.
“I really hope they don’t tone down Deadpool because it is a Disney movie,” Chintala said. “If they remove the jokes, then you lose Deadpool’s character. If they keep the movie R-rated, I could see Marvel making more mature movies in the future.”
While the movie aims to be for a more adult audience, many people hope for the Marvel spectacle to remain. People are excited to see Disney’s venture into new creative territories that cater to a more mature audience while still retaining the charm that fans have come to expect from the MCU.
As the release date of July 26 approaches, anticipation for “Deadpool and Wolverine” continues to rise. With its record-breaking trailer, star-studded cast and new creative direction, the film has the potential to redefine the superhero genre and set the stage for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
