The endings of Deadpool and Wolverine might have been quite different if not for Blake Lively’s input.
The film’s director, Shawn Levy, attributed much of the satisfaction of the movie’s conclusion to Lively, who has a cameo as Ladypool.
Released in July, the much-anticipated sequel to Deadpool features Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman returning to their celebrated roles as Wade Wilson and Logan.
In this installment, the duo must collaborate to shield Deadpool’s world from the threat posed by the Time Variance Authority (TVA) and Charles Xavier’s twin sister, Cassandra Nova.
Their mission takes them through two alternate realities, pitting them against numerous returning X-Men villains and rallying support from returning Marvel allies.
The film quickly became the highest-grossing R-rated movie ever, amassing $1.34 billion globally.
Earlier this month, it made its way to Disney+, having previously been available on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
On Disney+, fans can listen to a director’s commentary of Deadpool and Wolverine, featuring insights from Reynolds.
During this commentary, Levy discusses how Lively, who is married to Reynolds, contributed a key idea that altered the film’s ending.
Reynolds and Levy discuss the reshoots, with Reynolds noting: “We did just a day-and-a-half of reshoots on the movie, which we’re very proud of. These kinds of movies typically involve weeks of reshoots.”
“But this speech that Matthew has is one of the pieces that we reshot. And he is miraculous.”
Originally, viewers would have quickly learned that Deadpool and Wolverine survived after their sacrificial act to destroy the Time Ripper.
However, in the final cut, their dramatic return, highlighted by a soundtrack from Goo Goo Dolls, is postponed.
Instead, Paradox (played by Matthew Macfadyen) delivers a speech to B-15 (Wunmi Mosaku), allowing the suspense to build.
Levy explained: “And credit where credit is due. It used to be that there was no suspense, that the power room blew up, and our heroes had survived.”
“And it was Blake Lively who said to us, ‘You know, I’ve been with you this whole movie. I want to sit in the fear that they’re lost. Let me be in that place of suspense so the triumph of their survival is more emotional and visceral.'”
Levy added: “That was a Blake note and it really opened up a new way of thinking about this part of the movie and it’s why we did this reshoot… and, here, the payoff is so much more satisfying.”
Deadpool and Wolverine is currently available for streaming on Disney+.