It’s now official: Deadpool 3 is going to be Deadpool & Wolverine and take the Merc With the Mouth to the heart of the MCU. Check out the first trailer!
Back in 2009, Wolverine: Origins tried to be a spin-off film featuring how Logan (Hugh Jackman) attained his metal claws and skeleton. It also featured Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson, who Marvel fans knew as the motor-mouthed warrior Deadpool. Sadly, the climax ruined the character by turning him into a mute monstrosity.
But over the next several years, Reynolds persisted in pushing for a Deadpool movie. It paid off with 2016’s Deadpool as fans loved Reynolds bringing the character to wonderful life in a crazy movie where Deadpool regularly broke the fourth wall addressing the audience. It was a monster box office hit with nearly $800 million globally.
A 2018 sequel was just as big, with almost an identical box office take. There were concerns about the future of the character given Fox (which owns the X-Men) was absorbed into Disney (which owns other Marvel characters) in 2019. After all, Deadpool is hardly the typical MCU hero.
Yet not only is he invading the MCU, but Deadpool is doing it as only he can.
The first trailer’s surprise connections
The trailer (which debuted during the Super Bowl) shows Deadpool with friends, including girlfriend Vanessa (Morena Baccarin), and seemingly okay with his life until he’s abducted by some men. They turn out to work for the Time Variance Authority from Loki.
Cue Deadpool convinced he’s meant to be a “savior” of the MCU. Given the TVA chief’s reaction, Wade may not be getting the right idea of what he’s meant for.
The trailer features some typically crazy action and culminates with Deadpool on the ground before a shadow falls and pops Wolverine’s signature claws. It then shows that the title is Deadpool & Wolverine.
This is a huge deal, as Jackman appeared to be done with the role after 2017’s Logan. The trailer does show a brief shot of Wolverine in a tuxedo, which may be his sometime alias “Patch.” That Jackman’s face isn't shown is a fun tease.
Speaking of tease, look at the scene of Deadpool on the ground and there's a torn comic titled "Secret Wars," hinting at the ultimate climax of Phase 5 of the MCU.
Putting Deadpool in the MCU is a big deal, especially given the franchise’s problems in the last year. Indeed, this movie is going to be the only MCU big-screen outing in 2024, with other films put off until next year. This should also help pave the way to integrating the X-Men into the MCU.
With Matthew Vaughn back as director and Reynolds looking ready to put in his nice spin, Deadpool & Wolverine are set to start carving up the MCU this summer and revive the franchise’s box-office dominance
Deadpool & Wolverine premieres in theaters July 26.