Marvel fans breathed a sigh of relief when it was confirmed that Deadpool would maintain its notorious edge in its MCU debut. Known for pushing boundaries with its explicit content, the first two films in the Deadpool series were a stark contrast to Marvel’s typically family-friendly fare. From mocking Marvel itself to a pegging scene and a gruesome woodchipper incident, these films were packed with jaw-dropping moments. Thankfully, the upcoming film’s R-rating and trailers have reassured fans that Deadpool will continue to be the unapologetically brash character they adore, especially with Wolverine joining the fray.
The film’s director, Shawn Levy, who previously collaborated with Ryan Reynolds on “The Adam Project,” was handpicked by Reynolds to helm this project. During a Vanity Fair roundtable with Hugh Jackman, Reynolds shared his initial doubts about Levy’s interest in a Marvel project, given their history with original films. “I wasn’t totally certain it would be in that Marvel space because it isn’t original IP. We had just made two original movies that worked,” Reynolds said. However, Levy was more than willing to jump into the Marvel universe. “I remember Ryan going, ‘Now, I know you’re going to say no.’ And I remember either verbally or in my mind going, ‘What are you talking about? I’m already a yes,'” Levy recounted.
Securing an R-rating for “Deadpool and Wolverine” was surprisingly smooth, according to Levy. In an interview with Total Film, he revealed that Marvel was open to discussions about the film’s content, with only one specific limitation. “I’m so wary of what I can say but certainly there were early conversations about overt drug use. And we thought that was an interesting conversation. Let’s actually write a dialogue scene about having had it,” Levy said. While it’s uncertain if this scene made the final cut, an early trailer featured a humorous exchange where Wade, played by Reynolds, jokes with Blind Al about Cocaine being ‘the only thing Kevin said is off the table’ when she offers him some,” Levy added.
With Deadpool’s sharp tongue and Wolverine’s inclusion, along with Levy’s creative direction, the new installment promises to deliver all the thrills and laughs fans have come to expect from the franchise, while navigating the new terrain of the MCU without losing its distinctive, edgy charm.