Deadpool & Wolverine Probably Won’t Affect The MCU Much

Deadpool & Wolverine Probably Won't Affect The MCU Much

As a long-time Marvel fan who grew up watching the X-Men movies, I must say that Deadpool & Wolverine is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. On one hand, it’s a breath of fresh air, a departure from the usual MCU formula, and a celebration of the X-Men universe that we’ve all grown to love. On the other hand, it feels like a standalone story that doesn’t quite fit into the grand scheme of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.


Warning: Major Spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine!

The duo of Deadpool and Wolverine has proven incredibly profitable and is expected to climb even higher in the box office rankings. Such a level of success could significantly influence future phases of the franchise. Learning from such a film might be challenging, but Marvel Studios may soon have the courage to approve more R-rated projects. Perhaps they’ll grow bolder with their older characters. Alternatively, they might lean on more callbacks and references instead.

Deadpool & Wolverine isn’t really about the MCU

Director Shawn Levy
Writers Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Zeb Wells, and Shawn Levy
Starring Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney
Runtime 128 Minutes
Release Date July 26, 2024

Deadpool is thrilled to become part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, often jokingly referring to himself as “Marvel Jesus.” Throughout the movie, there’s a recurring theme that shows Deadpool yearning for something greater than himself. His drive stems from a desire to save the world, partly because his girlfriend might leave him otherwise. He attempts to join the Avengers, but Happy Hogan rejects him. Eventually, the TVA proposes he switch universes and join the main MCU. Initially excited, Deadpool reconsiders when he learns that his current universe could be wiped out. Without Wolverine around, the universe might cease to exist. In essence, Deadpool steps up as the protector of a reality that encompasses the 20th Century Fox X-Men franchise. This isn’t a subtle metaphor at all.

The storyline between Deadpool and Wolverine revolves around Deadpool preserving his original franchise. He encounters a realm known as the Void, a limbo-like endpoint of time that houses everything excluded from the “Sacred Timeline.” This realm primarily consists of other film franchises that concluded before or during the MCU’s dominance in the superhero genre, including Wesley Snipes’ Blade, the X-Men, Elektra, and numerous characters familiar from two decades ago. The TVA is responsible for maintaining the Marvel Cinematic Universe by eliminating all other superhero franchises. Deadpool defies his ambition to join the Avengers by combating efforts to alter his origin story. In essence, Deadpool & Wolverine isn’t about the MCU; it’s about the 20th Century Fox X-Men universe.

Deadpool & Wolverine‘s jokes won’t become lessons

Deadpool & Wolverine Probably Won't Affect The MCU Much

In essence, the movie “Deadpool & Wolverine” primarily maintains the continuity of the X-Men universe, yet it subtly critiques elements within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Characters like Wade Wilson often poke fun at the current state of Marvel’s film production. A significant instance is when he engages in combat with the Deadpool Corps and delivers a lengthy monologue, expressing dissatisfaction with the concept of the multiverse. Although he doesn’t elaborate on the flaws extensively (which are explored throughout this film), his sentiments mirror common criticisms. The MCU might consider Deadpool’s criticism constructively, but future films likely won’t view these jokes as teaching moments. As usual with Deadpool, he functions as one of many tentacles of the multi-billion-dollar beast, winking at the audience because it finds such humor cost-effective. He’s part of the problem, garnering sympathy from fans by appearing to be in on the joke, while consistently exacerbating the situation.

Deadpool & Wolverine only has one notable new detail

Deadpool & Wolverine Probably Won't Affect The MCU Much

The only narrative detail of Deadpool & Wolverine that’s likely to become important to the larger MCU is the “anchor being” idea. It is, at least in part, a commentary on Logan’s central position in the franchise. They’re suggesting that the Fox movies couldn’t continue to exist without Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. This concept will likely continue to appear in future MCU projects. The upcoming return of Robert Downey Jr. might bring this anchor being idea back into the conversation. It’s a fundamental part of the multiverse mythos, and it hasn’t affected the MCU yet. It may be the only detail that comes up again.

The team-up of Deadpool and Wolverine is far from a standalone tale, yet it maintains a loose connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Despite attempting to contribute to any universe, it’s unlikely to influence the Marvel Cinematic Universe in any significant way. Regardless of Deadpool’s presence, the Sacred Timeline will persist as planned, with minimal chances of X-Men characters making substantial appearances beyond brief cameos. The plot of Deadpool and Wolverine is expected to be self-contained within its designated timeframe.

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2024-08-13 17:04