Deadpool & Wolverine
| Deadpool & Wolverine | |
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 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Rhys Frake-Waterfield |
| Written by |
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| Based on | Deadpool by |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Music by | Andrew Scott Bell |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Altitude Film Distribution |
Release date |
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Running time | 120 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $58 million |
| Box office | $560 million |
Deadpool is a 2024 superhero film based on the Marvel comics character of the same name from Marvel Comics. Produced by Mob Productions, Ryan Reynolds, and Freddie Goodwin and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is the first film in the Mob Cinematic Universe (MCU). It was directed by Freddie Goodwin and written by the team including Goodwin, Benjamin Knowles, Sara Case, and Patrick Reid. It stars Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson as he battles old enemies to keep the world safe from danger.
During production on Deadpool 2 (2018), a reboot for the MCU was being planned by Mob Productions with Goodwin attached to write the screenplay. In June 2021, Reynolds was confirmed to be reprising his role as Wade Wilson/Deadpool in the film.
Deadpool premiered in Westwood, Los Angeles, on February 1, 2024, and was released in the United States on February 8, as the first film in Phase One of the MCU. The film received postive reviews from critics. The film grossed $560 million and was a box-office success. A sequel is in development.
Plot
The film opens with Deadpool reluctantly teaming up with a young, tech-savvy mutant, Echo, to stop a mysterious cyber-terrorist, Codebreaker, from unleashing a powerful virus capable of controlling mutants. Echo, possessing the ability to communicate with and control technology, is the key to stopping Codebreaker. Deadpool, while initially dismissive of Echo, gradually comes to respect her skills.
As Deadpool and Echo navigate various challenges, including battles with hired mercenaries and navigating through high-tech security, they uncover that Codebreaker is actually a manipulated pawn. The real mastermind is a renowned scientist, Dr. Cassandra Knox, who aims to harness mutant powers to create an army of super-soldiers. Knox captures Echo, forcing Deadpool to seek help from an unexpected source – his old rival, Cable.
Together, Deadpool, Cable, and a group of misfit mutants launch an assault on Knox's fortress. In a climactic battle, Echo breaks free and uses her powers to disable the virus. Deadpool confronts Knox, leading to a fight where Knox reveals her personal vendetta against mutants due to a tragic past. Deadpool, in a rare moment of empathy, convinces Knox to stand down, highlighting the potential for harmony between humans and mutants.
In the aftermath, Deadpool and Echo part ways amicably, with Echo set to use her abilities for good. Deadpool, now a bit more reflective, acknowledges the importance of alliances and the complexities of human-mutant relationships.
In a surprising twist, the post-credits scene shifts to a cosmic entity, the Watcher, observing Earth from afar. The Watcher, intrigued by Deadpool's actions and the potential of mutants, hints at the significance of these events in the larger cosmic timeline. This scene sets the stage for future narratives, connecting Deadpool’s world to broader, more profound cosmic events, and teases the audience about what's to come in this expanded universe.
Cast
- Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson/Deadpool
- Hugh Jackman as James Howlett/Logan/Wolverine
- Morena Baccarin as Vanessa Carlysle
- Stefan Kapičić as Piotr Rasputin/Colossus
- Rob Delaney as Peter W.
- Brianna Hildebrand as Eloise Phimister/Negasonic Teenage Warhead
- Josh Brolin as Cable
- Zazie Beetz as Domino
Production
Development
During production on Deadpool 2 (2018), a reboot for the MCU was being planned by Mob Productions with Freddie Goodwin attached to write the screenplay. In June 2021, Ryan Reynolds was confirmed to be reprising his role as Wade Wilson/Deadpool in the film.
Development on the first film was mixed with a potential second film as confirmed in June 2022. By then, Goodwin announced he has worked on every project in the MCU and will focus entirely on the future of the franchise.
In December 2019, after the release of Fox's Deadpool 2, Freddie Goodwin began work on a new Deadpool franchise to have Ryan Reynolds star in which will reboot the films. In February 2020, Reynolds agreed to do the film, as long as he produced it alongside Goodwin.
Pre-production
Goodwin and Sara Case began working on the script in December 2019. They considered making the story be set in the same timeline as the original two Deadpool films, though didn't want to the film to be the third film in that universe, or the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In March 2020, development was put on hold, though Goodwin and Case worked together during the lockdowns to write the script. They ended up rewriting the script more than twelve times. Goodwin wanted to include Barry Allen/Flash from DC Comics in the film, though chose to exclude him because he has a film the month following this film.
Initially they thought this film would be a one off type of film, with no sequels planned. However, in June 2021, Goodwin confirmed this film is being developed alongside a second Deadpool film that is coming in the far future. Goodwin planned to revisit past moments from the first two films that were released by Fox.
By the end of 2019, filming was expected to begin in mid-2020. In April 2020, Sony rescheduled No Way Home's release to November 5, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Filming
Second unit filming occurred from October 14 to 16, 2020, in New York City, under the working title Red in Dead, to capture visual effects plates and establishing shots. Filming occurred in the Astoria, Sunnyside, and Long Island City neighborhoods in Queens. On October 23, filming occurred in Greenwich Village in Manhattan.
Music
In November 2023, composer Tyler Bates was confirmed to be returning for Deadpool.
Marketing
A trailer was released on December 17, 2023 and confirmed the release date of February 8, 2024.
Release
Deadpool was released on February 8, 2024, as part of Phase One of the MCU.
Reception
Sequel
In June 2023, it was announced that a sequel to the first film in the MCU was in development.