Next week, Disney will release Deadpool & Wolverine into theaters, and everyone is expecting it to be a giant hit. Trading on star Ryan Reynolds' profane charm, the first two movies were big successes. Adding in Hugh Jackman's Wolverine can only help matters. Also, everyone wants to see how these two are integrated into the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe. Will Deadpool's raunchy style be toned down so he fits in better alongside Spider-Man and Captain America?
Director Shawn Levy showed off the first 35 minutes of the movie at a fan event in Shanghai, China early in July, and if you believe the impressions, the answer is no. "Despite the Fox merger, this feels like a straight up continuation from Deadpool 2 story and tone wise," wrote @hzjoe03 on X. "Nothing has been toned back, all the comedy hit, and the action was beautiful....If the full movie is as good as the footage I saw, then this is easily gonna be one of my favourite Marvel films and definitely the best of the Deadpool trilogy!"
That sentiment was echoed by @ian_sandwell: "It's a promising start with an excellent opening gag, and if you're still worried Deadpool has been tamed, the bloody and outrageous first set piece will resolve any worries."
The Deadpool movies have always been very self-aware, so it probably won't surprise anyone to learn that the new one takes copious shots at Marvel itself. "In many ways, the new film comes across as a satire of Marvel’s recent approach to multiversal activities, which is of course fine," writes Ben Child in The Guardian. "Deadpool was always going to continue being the naughty schoolkid who has smuggled in something nasty the dog did into the playground, except now he’s messing around in a whole new superhero sandbox."
@amywestyy also enjoyed what she saw, although expressed a little bit of worry: "The first 35 mins of go hard on the self-aware gags. It's violent, energetic, and super funny! I just hope it's given space to be a movie in the remaining 92. SO good to see Hugh Jackman in that suit. Matthew Macfadyen = MVP. Can't wait for the rest!"
If she's concerned about Deadpool & Wolverine being given space to "be a movie," I'm going to guess that the first 35 minutes go hard on action and spectacle and light on plot, which is okay; who doesn't like brutal action and off-the-wall comedy? But at two hours and seven minutes, I too am hoping the movie finds the time to chomp into some bigger themes by the end.
Deadpool & Wolverine is "the most wholesome R-rated film" ever
Marvel boss Kevin Feige put people at ease while talking to Deadline, teasing a movie that is as sweet as it is vulgar:
"I will say — Hugh and Ryan have talked about this — and I think people can tell from the trailer and from the press tour so far, yes, it’s R-rated, yes there’s some language and blood, but the film is incredibly emotional. I keep calling it the most wholesome R-rated film that anybody can ever see. It really is a celebration of friendship and family and of found family. I don’t want to overdo it, but for all the R-rated raunchiness that gets attention, when people see the movie, it’s going to be about how heartfelt it is — in my opinion, much more than the first two Deadpool films. That’s what I’m really excited about, once people get past the ‘F’ words and the R-rating, to see how sweet it is."
Kevin Feige has been in charge of the mostly PG MCU since its beginning, and I can't help but see a little bit of nervousness in this response, like he's still hoping to capture the family audience even though the movie is full of jokes about anal sex and snorting coke and whatever else. He probably doesn't need to worry; I expect Deadpool & Wolverine will smash it at the box office when it releases in theaters on July 26.
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