Deadpool has reached new heights of popularity recently and appears to have made an appearance at a Disney theme park, sharing some rather provocative jokes.
If you’ve somehow missed all the media buzz, Deadpool’s third film, Deadpool & Wolverine, has just been released.
The edgy anti-hero is known for breaking the rules and addressing the audience directly, contributing greatly to his popularity. This rebellious nature is likely why he attempted to pull off this joke.
Since the third installment marks Deadpool’s debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Disney acquired the rights from Fox, the outspoken mercenary has been spotted at Disney’s California Adventure Park.
Clips showing one of the park’s actors (unfortunately, not Ryan Reynolds) embodying Deadpool’s typical antics have been making waves, especially one particular quip that has gone viral on social media.
In the video, the character jokes about the dating apps Tinder and Grindr, and even hints that another MCU hero might be using them.
Addressing the crowd from atop the gift shop, aptly named Avenger’s Vault, Deadpool quips: “Here’s Deadpool. What do we have here?
“We have the Disney Parks app, Instagram, TikTok, Tinder, Grindr, wow Mr Stark I love your new profile picture.”
This seemingly minor joke has ignited a significant debate on social media.
“Wow grinder at a Disney park I never thought that word will never be said by a disney character,” one person commented on Instagram.
Another joked: “He is really pushing the Pg13 rating.”
A third added: “The fact he mentions Grindr in a Disney park is mind-boggling to me.”
Someone else wrote: “Cringe. This feels like something designed for Halloween Horror Nights. It’s not giving ‘the place for families to visit on summer vacation’.”
“’Mr Stark I like your new profile picture’ has me dying right now. It’s probably Victor Von Doom lol,” said another, referencing Robert Downey Jr’s recently announced role.
However, some social media users did not find the joke light-hearted and argued it was entirely inappropriate for a theme park filled with children.
Others noted that if mentioning Grindr was deemed inappropriate—given it is designed for gay, bi, trans, and queer people—then mentioning Tinder, another 18+ dating app, would also be inappropriate.
Additionally, many suggested that the joke was likely over the heads of most young children and was aimed at the parents accompanying them.