Warning: this article might contain spoilers.
It’s happening……Deadpool and Wolverine are entering the Marvel Cinematic Universe!
The teaser for the much awaited Deadpool & Wolverine dropped earlier last month during the Super Bowl. The movie, initially a rumour that came true, has been causing quite a stir for many reasons: it was bringing back the two anti-heroes – and real life besties Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman – together in their respective roles since Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) along with some cameos and references in their respective movies. As mentioned earlier, the iconic R-rated characters are finally going to step into the PG universe with their swords, guns and bladed claws, to change it.
Speaking of which, let’s talk about the teaser:
It starts with Wade Wilson happily celebrating his birthday with his fiancée Vanessa and his friends from the previous two movies together, until his door is knocked. Wilson answers to some strangers who actually turn out to be TVA agents, and before he can do anything, he is instantly teleported to the TVA, leaving his wig behind. Flabbergasted, Wilson wakes up to be greeted by someone called Paradox – a new character. He offers Wilson a chance to become “a hero among heroes” as he shows past footage of Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and Hulk – this revisitation of the OGs is emotional and nostalgic. Wilson responds by calling himself the “Messiah” who is going to change the “little cinematic universe,” as Deadpool gears up to travel and fight his new potential nemesis in his usual ways. In the last scene, Deadpool is laying on the ground as he is approached by who he calls an “ape” – we know who – and at last we get a glimpse of those bladed claws, the new yellow suit, and a bromance.
Those 2 minutes and 25 seconds have given us enough to unpack, question and predict. Firstly, a strong fleshed out crossover can be seen – one that hasn’t been seen in the phases post Avengers: Endgame – with the Loki series. In the two seasons of Loki – if you haven’t seen it, here comes the spoilers – we see the 2012 version of Loki suddenly finding himself in the quarters of the Time Variance Authority aka TVA located outside time and space. The conflict here is that the TVA wants to protect what they call the “Sacred Timeline” managed by He Who Remains and eliminate all other timelines. This means fighting Loki, who has the power to travel through time and strives to protect those timelines and the lives attached to them. At the end of the series, dire circumstances lead Loki to achieve what he had always been looking for: his “glorious purpose.” Not only does he save all the timelines, but he also devotes himself to be the only one looking after them as he takes over for He Who Remains after his death. With Deadpool now threatening to shake things up with the timeline, will Loki be able to hold onto the branch with his powers?
On the other hand, in his second titular movie, Deadpool gains the power to not only travel through time, but also the multiverse. Now it hasn’t been made clear what the motive of the TVA is here, but it can be assumed that it is a sinister mission that requires someone who has those powers to get the job done. Hence, it kinda makes sense for them to go after the red suited assassin. So if Deadpool is travelling through the multiverse, he will most likely land on Earth 616.
But how does Wolverine – that too Hugh Jackman – come into the picture? Jackman’s Wolverine/Logan dies in the last of his trilogy Logan (2017). When it was announced that Wolverine was coming back, many speculated about who the next Wolverine would be, with fan art released showing Daniel Radcliffe in the character. Because the multiverse has different versions of the characters with mainly different faces – according to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) – the same was expected here. Now with Jackman’s return, it creates confusion with how this happens and how the multiverse works, but it’s also a delight to see him back. After all, some roles are just irreplaceable.
Besides, there are other questions in mind, like will Deadpool finally become a hero? Will Wolverine continue to appear or is it just this one time? Is the MCU going to have a fresh start? Is Doctor Strange also going to rescue the timeline? Will Deadpool meet people from Earth 616? Will we see more of the X-Men? Well, we will get our answers soon.
Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine comes out on July 26, and I am seated!