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A14 PEOPLE / ARTS
Thursday 25 July 2024
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ is here to shake up the Marvel Cinematic

Universe

By LINDSEY BAHR So, what about what’s IN the
AP Film Writer film? Well, that’s something
Shawn Levy is no novice that Levy won’t really talk
when it comes to rumors about. Until Monday’s pre-
around his projects. Years on miere, reporters were only
“Stranger Things” taught him allowed to see 40 minutes;
how to tune out the noise. Soon the floodgates will open
Yet even he’s found himself and spoilers will take over so-
astonished by the sheer vol- cial media.
ume of speculation around But “Deadpool & Wolverine”
“Deadpool & Wolverine.” hasn’t needed to tease out
“The rumors around this plotlines to stoke enthusiasm.
movie are overwhelming,” The fans are already there
Levy told The Associated and ready, whether or not
Press earlier this year. “But Taylor Swift is involved (by all
so is the anticipation, which accounts, she’s not).
is a nice situation.” Marvel has had some Phase
Anticipation might be an 5 bumps, with films like “The
understatement for a movie Marvels” underperforming
that is poised to be the the- financially and others under-
atrical event of the summer, whelming critics. And outside
when it opens on Thursday. of the MCU, the industry is
The first trailer, which aired feeling the pains of so-called
during the Super Bowl, was This image released by 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios shows Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/ “superhero fatigue” that has
viewed a record 365 million Logan, left, and Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool/Wade Wilson in a scene from “Deadpool & Wolverine.” sent DC back to the draw-
Associated Press
times online in its first 24 hours. ing boards to start anew. But
The second broke another re- “Deadpool & Wolverine” is
cord for the most “F-bombs” a tonal wheel, that works what audiences will see.” our first movie together. And not to be underestimated.
in the MCU (six in less than so beautifully,” Levy said. The dynamic was also fueled we’ve been best buddies Critics have been largely pos-
three minutes). “Both Disney and Marvel, up by the real-life friendship be- ever since.” itive too. AP’s Krysta Fauria
Much of that excitement is and down the food chain, tween Levy, Jackman and IT’S SUMMER. NO HOMEWORK wrote in her review that the
because this film marks the empowered Ryan and I to Reynolds that goes back a REQUIRED. film “leans into its genre more
first time Ryan Reynolds’ foul- make this movie exactly as decade off screen and in- The Marvel multiverse has than the franchise’s first two
mouthed Deadpool/Wade we dreamed.” cludes films like “Free Guy” gotten a bit overwhelming movies.” She cautions that
Wilson and Hugh Jackman’s WAIT, HOW IS WOLVERINE and “Real Steel.” in recent years for the more the plot starts to feel a little
Wolverine are being folded HERE? “The real benefit of being casual fans who may have aimless toward the end, but
into Kevin Feige’s Marvel Cin- Things really started to really friends off set is that you can seen most of the films but only that, “The bloody but come-
ematic Universe. Both proper- take shape when Jackman try crazy stuff without fear of dabbled in the Disney+ offer- dic final fight scene is enough
ties existed previously under signed on that fall, however. falling. Because some of it ings that regularly introduce to perk viewers back up for
the 21st Century Fox banner. It would mark the first time won’t work and that will be new concepts and charac- the last act, solidifying the
When Disney acquired the that the characters would momentarily embarrassing, ters that eventually find their film’s identity as a fun, gen-
studio’s film and TV assets in be together in a movie since but if you’re among friends, way into the films. erally well-made summer
early 2019, Wolverine had 2009’s “X-Men Origins: Wol- it’s okay to make a fool of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” movie.”
already died in “Logan,” a verine.” In the years since, yourself in the pursuit of for instance, uses the Time And it could be the first MCU
third “Deadpool” was in de- Reynolds and Jackman something surprising and Variance Authority (TVA) a movie since “Spider-Man: No
velopment and Marvel was have staged a very tongue something unexpected,” major part of “Loki” but new Way Home” to crack $1 bil-
still firmly in the PG-13 busi- in cheek, very funny “feud” Levy said. to the movies to help get lion, which would also put it
ness, a rating that allows for with one another on social “This movie is filled with mo- Deadpool to the MCU. But in the running to become
only one F-bomb. media, dancing around the ments, both comedic and Levy promises that enjoy- the highest grossing R-rated
On a call with investors as idea of sharing the big screen character based, that we ment of “Deadpool & Wol- film of all time. That title cur-
the deal was going through, again. didn’t expect and were the verine” requires no bingeing rently belongs to “Joker” with
Walt Disney Company CEO The dream seemed to have result of a freedom that that or studying beforehand. its $1.08 billion. It’s currently
Bob Iger was already reas- died after “Logan” and Jack- came from being friends.” “I was a good student in tracking to open around
suring people that a Disney man’s retirement as Wolver- At the New York premiere school. I’ll do my homework $160 million, but some bull-
Deadpool would remain R- ine. But death is never exactly Monday, Jackman and as an adult. But I am definitely ish analysts are forecasting as
rated. Soon after, Reynolds final in the multiverse, and, Reynolds were definitely in not looking to do homework high as $200 million. To beat
also posted a photo on social they promised, this film would friend mode, praising one when I go to the movies,” “Barbie’s” opening last year,
media showing his character not interfere with “Logan.” another with no snark. Levy said. it has to surpass $162 million.
with Mickey Mouse ears on “It’s a really interesting duo,” “(Ryan’s) exactly as you “I very much made this film “Audiences are hungry for
a yellow school bus labeled Levy said. “They’re built for think,” Jackman said. “An with certainly a healthy re- a great time at the movies,”
“Disney.” The meta humor, huge conflict with each other extraordinary man. Gener- spect and gratitude towards Levy said. “They want to be
it seemed, was also firmly because they’re so different ous, humble brilliant and a the rabid fan base that has delighted, transported and
intact. individually. But that makes great friend.” peak fluency in the mythol- entertained. And when they
But what would the story be? for a very interesting story, Reynolds added that Jack- ogy and lore of these char- are given that, whether it’s
Levy was announced as the because the best two hander man was “someone who acters and this world. But I ‘Barbie,’ ‘Oppenheimer’ or
film’s director in early 2022, stories, whether it’s ‘Midnight operated in a completely didn’t want to presume that. any number of other recent
coming in as a fan of Reyn- Run’ or ‘48 Hours’ or ‘Planes, different way, did everything This movie is built for enter- movies, they show up.”
olds’ snarky tone and fourth Trains and Automobiles,’ yes, through the prism of genu- tainment, with no obligation He added: “The movie is built
wall breaking. it’s littered with conflict. But ine kindness, diligence, hard to come prepared with prior for audience delight. I think
“There was no way I was it’s ultimately about some- work. And that was modeled research.” that (they’re) in for a very fun
going to reinvent a wheel, thing more as well and that’s to me in 2008 when we did OH, RIGHT, THE MOVIE... ride.”q