Is redemption finally coming from the MCU? The long-awaited third installment of the Deadpool franchise is set to bring the “Marvel Messiah” into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), as revealed in the trailer that premiered during the Super Bowl on Sunday.
Titled Deadpool & Wolverine, the film sees the return of Ryan Reynolds as the irreverent mutated mercenary created by Rob Liefeld. The film also marks the comeback of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, a character he last portrayed in 2017’s Logan and claimed to have retired from. Luckily for us, that didn’t stick.
Directed by Shawn Levy, known for his work on Free Guy and The Adam Project, the trailer introduces a plot involving the Time Variance Authority (TVA), a multiversal organization previously introduced in the Disney+ series Loki.
The trailer catches us up with Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) celebrating his birthday with his extended family. It appears Wilson hung up his red costume and arsenal of weapons to live a regular life after the events of Deadpool 2.
The moment Hugh’ve all been waiting for. #DeadpoolWolverine pic.twitter.com/kSY7ZTCG7P
— Deadpool Movie (@deadpoolmovie) February 11, 2024
Since that wouldn’t make for much of a movie (or would it…?), the TVA tracks down Reynolds’ Wade Wilson, urging him to become a hero among heroes, with the memorable quote from Matthew Macfadyen’s TVA character: “Wade, you are special. This is your chance to be a hero among heroes.”
In typical Deadpool fashion, the Merc with a Mouth responds with humor, proclaiming, “I’m the messiah. I…am…Marvel Jesus.”
The trailer then shifts to showing off some of the action scenes and ends by hinting at the reunion of Deadpool and Wolverine, culminating in a shadowy face-off between the two iconic Marvel characters. The tail of the teaser ends with the reveal of the film’s official title Deadpool & Wolverine.
This collaboration marks the ninth appearance of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and the first time the characters share the screen since their last encounter in 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine, a film playfully acknowledged in the trailer.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige provided a subtle teaser ahead of the trailer’s release. During the 51st Annual Saturn Awards, Feige wore a distinctive baseball cap featuring a logo that combines the masks of Deadpool and Wolverine.
Despite efforts to keep details under wraps, rumors suggest high-profile cameos and supporting roles, adding an extra layer of anticipation for fans. Production faced a temporary setback due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, leading to a delay in the release date from the original May 3, 2024 schedule.
Nevertheless, the enthusiasm among fans remains high, fueled by the success of the previous Deadpool films. Deadpool 2, released in 2018, broke records with an $18.6 million opening at the North American box office, following the impressive debut of the first film, which set a record for an R-rated film with a domestic opening of $132.4 million in 2016.
The trailer also sheds light on the film’s connection to the MCU multiverse, involving the TVA and the multiversal chaos unleashed in the wake of events in Loki. The Time Variance Authority, responsible for maintaining the Sacred Timeline, now plays a pivotal role in Deadpool’s integration into the MCU, as hinted at by Kevin Wright, executive producer of Loki.
Wright expressed excitement about the storytelling possibilities, stating, “I think everything we are doing here certainly lays the groundwork for fertile storytelling elsewhere.” The TVA’s potential to connect the MCU to the wider multiverse, including the X-Verse that was teased at the end of The Marvels adds a new dimension to the Marvel storytelling universe.
The star-studded cast of Deadpool & Wolverine includes Emma Corrin from The Crown and Matthew Macfadyen from Succession, alongside familiar faces from the Deadpool series, such as Rob Delaney, Karan Soni, Leslie Uggams, Morena Baccarin, and Stefan Kapicic.
Will this crossover reshape the landscape of the MCU forever? Are you ready for the Merc with a Mouth and the Berserker mutant to shake up the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Deadpool & Wolverine hits theaters on July 26, 2024.
