Two Hollywood icons in their most famous roles: Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds are back on the big screen as comic characters Deadpool and Wolverine. Will they help Marvel become successful again?
Recently, one had the impression that superheroes had become tired. Marvel – once a guarantee for bestsellers – was no longer performing particularly heroically at the box office with its latest stories. Some criticized the comic characters in the last films as stereotypical, and the plots as confusing. This year, unlike in previous years, only one Marvel blockbuster is coming to the cinema. And that should fix it.
Marvel is lucky that two of the most popular superhero characters ever happen to be coming back for this film – personified for years by Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. Two Hollywood icons in their most famous roles. In “Deadpool & Wolverine” it is now clear that the two are not tired at all. And Marvel can still entertain in 2024.
Why Deadpool and Wolverine are so popular
The blockbuster is the third part about the anti-hero Deadpool, played by Reynolds. Fans like his character because he is ironic, likes to speak directly to the audience and behaves much more anarchically than other Marvel heroes. His queer side also comes to the fore again in the new film.
And then Wolverine. As a muscular protagonist with legendary sideburns, Jackman paved the way for other comic book adaptations with the highly successful “X-Men” series. Jackman played the character in many different ways, and his look was so iconic that there were instructions on how to copy it (“Want a cool sideburn like Wolverine? We’ll tell you how.”)
“Welcome to the Marvel Cinematic Universe,” Deadpool says to Wolverine in the new film. “You’re more likely to hit rock bottom,” the film hero comments, in his usual self-referential way, on the situation Marvel is currently in. Later, he makes fun of the fact that Marvel has simply overused the plot element of the “multiverse” – the fact that heroes move in different universes.
But “Deadpool & Wolverine” itself takes place in different universes. Jackman’s character actually died in the much-praised blockbuster “Logan – The Wolverine” in 2017. But fortunately, the laws of nature only apply to a limited extent in comic book adaptations, especially when the aforementioned multiverses come into play.
This is what the new film is about
Deadpool actually wants to lead a quiet life and works as a car dealer. But one day he learns that his existence and that of his friends is in danger. A villain named Mr. Paradox wants to wipe him out. For certain reasons, only Wolverine can save Deadpool. So he has to find him and travels through time to do so.
On his trip through parallel worlds, Deadpool first encounters the dead Wolverine, then various living Wolverines. Deadpool convinces one of them – a particularly grumpy, usually drunk Wolverine – to help him. During their fight against Mr. Paradox, however, they are first confronted with another villain (Emma Corrin, known from “The Crown”). She also has no good intentions for the two of them.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” is peppered with the usual brutal, often vulgar humor and entertaining action. Several stars and comic heroes make guest appearances.
The friendship between Reynolds and Jackman
The chemistry between the characters is right. This is also because Reynolds and Jackman are friends in private. The two maintain a funny “bromance” that they like to share with their audience.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” is also the story of a friendship. In the film, but especially behind the camera. Jackman and Reynolds have known each other for a long time. They are also friends with the director of the current film, Shawn Levy.
Reynolds and Jackman have long entertained their fans with jokes about each other on Instagram and with public appearances in which they encourage each other to act foolishly.
For example, during an interview with the two about the new film in Berlin. Question: What makes a good friendship? Taking it as seriously as a romantic relationship? “I think there are surprisingly many overlaps,” Reynolds told the dpa. Kisses, for example, Jackman interjects. Reynolds: “Yes, exactly. With the right effort.” Jackman: “Dental hygiene.” Reynolds: “Wrestling.”
When Jackman had to eat 6,000 calories a day
But then Reynolds makes a sincere attempt. And thinks about his friendship with Jackman. “I think a really lasting relationship is usually based on trust,” he says. “Trust is everything. But also cheering the other person on and supporting them. If you really want the other person to succeed. That’s a good sign.”
But the seriousness only lasts until the next question. How did Jackman find it to do months of strength training and consume 6,000 calories a day for the role of Wolverine? “When we started the film, I had four children,” Reynolds chimes in. “Now I have two. He ate the big ones.”
Yes, with “Deadpool & Wolverine” Marvel is fun again. Especially because the film is so much fun for its main actors.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
