Deadpool & Wolverine Has Kicked Up A Controversy That Has Nothing to Do With the Film

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Deadpool & Wolverine Has Kicked Up A Controversy That Has Nothing to Do With the Film

Highlights

  • Deadpool & Wolverine reignites MCU with cameo-filled hit, but controversy over crediting mainstay comic creator stirs old debates.
  • Marvel credits Roy Thomas as co-creator of Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine, resolving longstanding issue while sparking new discussions.
  • Hugh Jackman’s return boosts MCU, as Kevin Feige hints at more comebacks; Thomas hopeful for continued recognition in revitalized franchise.

As a lifelong comic book enthusiast and avid Marvel fan, I must say that the release of Deadpool & Wolverine has been nothing short of a thrilling rollercoaster ride. The film’s success in rekindling the spark of the MCU is commendable, especially after the somewhat lackluster performances we saw in 2023.

Deadpool and Wolverine have rekindled the excitement of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with their humorously adult-themed escapades, but there’s been one debate surrounding the hit third installment that stems not from its plotline, but rather from the rich history of comics.

The team-up between Deadpool and Wolverine has been a much-needed breath of fresh air for the Marvel Cinematic Universe after a series of disappointments in 2023, where even the highly anticipated Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was overshadowed by the underperformance of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and The Marvels, which set a new low for superhero movies. This film marked Ryan Reynold’s Deadpool’s entrance into the MCU, but it was also a star-studded event with familiar and new faces making appearances. Among these, the most anticipated return was that of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, who shared top billing with Deadpool and was one of several versions of the Wolverine character in the movie.

Despite the movie’s success in climbing various charts and causing quite a stir, there’s been a resurgence of an ongoing debate due to a minor detail – the film credits Roy Thomas as a co-creator of Jackman’s revived character, alongside Len Wein, John Romita Sr., and Herb Trimpe. This has rekindled the dispute over Thomas’s legacy with the character. The fact that Thomas was an editor during the character’s creation is typically not credited, but it has been a contentious issue in the fandom for years. The controversy intensified when Christine Valada, widow of co-creator Wein and a copyright attorney, publicly challenged this claim. Recently, The Hollywood Reporter provided Thomas with a platform to share his perspective on the matter, where he diplomatically argued his case, presenting well-documented facts about the character’s creation and expressing his disappointment over the controversy.

In our group of four, we functioned effectively while working on the book. As the lead editor, I was happy to delegate tasks to Len, John, and Herb after providing them with overall instructions. It’s unfortunate and regrettable that there has been so much unnecessary conflict in recent months due to Marvel granting me the official co-creator title, which I have always believed was rightfully mine. This recognition is especially valid considering my role in the creation story has been documented since articles published in 1982 and 1999.

Thomas, who commissioned the creation of the character with specifics about his name, origins, personality and powers, has been pushing for recognition for a long time, with Marvel finally acquiescing in 2022 when the company credited him as a co-creator during an announcement for a project he was headlining at the company. As a result, Marvel Studios also credited him on Deadpool & Wolverine, and that really should be the end of it. Due to the fluid nature of comics, many facets of the original design and story for Wolverine have changed over the years without input from Wein, Romita, or Trimpe, all of who are dearly departed now. However, the immutable parts of the character, like the iconic name and the powers and personality that it intoned from the very beginning, are still a part of him today. That alone should speak to how much credit Thomas deserves. It’s kind of fitting that the MCU’s love letter to a bygone era would ignite a controversy from even further back, and highlights just how hitch-free the film’s rollout itself has been.

With the long-standing issue seemingly nearing its end, the film that rekindled it has led to an abundance of subsequent developments. As confirmed by Kevin Feige, Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Deadpool and Wolverine could pave the way for others to rejoin and possibly breathe new life into the franchise, bringing back past stars. However, whether or not Thomas’s Wolverine will remain involved in this evolution is uncertain at this point, but he has expressed his desire to be part of it.

Deadpool & Wolverine is currently available in theaters.

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2024-08-05 17:24