‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ may save MCU

Deadpool & Wolverine. Image from Marvel Studios

There is not a single movie that can save the MCU, but maybe “Deadpool & Wolverine” will

What annoys me the most is when people make sweeping statements without reason. They claim that a single movie can destroy an entire movie studio or save it from losses, as if that is all that it takes. In reality, it is usually a series of bad decisions that lead to a company’s downfall, not just one film.

There is no question that a great film can uplift the mood, alter the box office trajectory, and instill optimism for positive change to follow, in addition to achieving commercial success at the box office. In fact, there are many hoping that it will be the Deadpool & Wolverine movie that will make all of these things possible. Great news! The Deadpool & Wolverine movie is set to be released on July 24, 2024, in the Philippines.

Deadpool & Wolverine is a film on which the entire MCU, Marvel Entertainment, and its respective movie studios are banking to perform exceptionally well in Asia and the United States when it premieres on July 26th.

Now, if these two beloved Marvel superheroes can’t ensure that this highly anticipated film becomes a billion-dollar box office triumph worldwide, then who can?

I have written two previous entertainment articles detailing my excitement, knowledge, and optimism about Deadpool & Wolverine. These two Marvel comic book characters are the worst to jump to the big screen, and this will be the first time they will be together in one movie. So, this has been a very long time coming.

The official movie trailers have already revealed what to expect, so the element of surprise, through cameo appearances, has been diminished. However, this is essential in generating fanfare, capturing more attention, and enticing non-Marvel fans to watch the movie. For the record, I have spoken with many people in the last few months who have expressed their eagerness to see “Deadpool & Wolverine” or have shown interest in watching it. These are all positive signs that the familiar feeling we all experienced at the height of the MCU movies before 2019 is present again in the air.

Hugh Jackman chose to reprise his role as Wolverine rather than Logan, as he has made it clear that the character of Logan will not be touched, retconned, or changed in any way. It means that Logan is dead.

But Wolverine, the superhero form, incarnation, and X-Men version of Logan, is alive and well. To avoid confusion, Logan is the real name of Wolverine, his secret identity in superhero parlance. Yes, that is all we know and all that has ever been revealed in the Marvel comic books.

Credit goes to Ryan Reynolds for bringing Wolverine back to life in a comic book-accurate costume, along with his origins. Ryan Reynolds had to convince the Marvel Studios bosses that this was the correct path, direction, and way to go! You know what, Ryan Reynolds was right because he understands the audience, the fans, and what people have been clamoring to see. Finally! Wolverine & Deadpool are in one movie together, kicking butt!

I have been asked several times different questions since my two previous entertainment articles about Deadpool & Wolverine, one of those questions is: what mutant abilities do they commonly share, and how do they differ in their respective mutant abilities?

Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool. Photo from Marvel Studios

Wolverine is a product of the Weapon X program, which infused him with adamantium (a fictitious metal). This medical process would have killed any other human or mutant if not for his mutant healing ability – his superior healing factor, which is far beyond that of any normal being. Think of it as a more intense version of natural healing. I should know because I have the original first printing of the Weapon X storyline from “Marvel Comics Presents” in the Marvel Comic Books which tells the graphic story of how Wolverine was born.

On the other hand, Deadpool is a complete freak of nature because his healing factor is utterly bonkers, insane, and unnatural. He can regenerate lost limbs, heal from close-range gunshot wounds, and even survive close explosions. It is safe to say that Deadpool is a mutant freak! Practically immortal because of it. I hope I have answered that question, as these two mutants fascinate me with their capabilities as they have with fans from all over the world. These two Marvel superheroes are fighting machines; they can dish it out and take it too.

An interesting fact is that Deadpool originally appeared unexpectedly in The New Mutants within Marvel Comic Books. During that time, it was not unusual to suddenly see new superheroes or supervillains make their first appearances in comic books without any origin story or reason; they were just there, and Deadpool was one of them. Although Wolverine had a more developed background story, the point is that this is how comics used to be. It is an exciting time for the new generation to be alive and young as they experience these two beloved Marvel superheroes on the big screen rather than just in comics.

It feels surreal to me that, after decades have passed, our wish for these two bad*** mutants to come together has finally been realized in one movie.

Now, the question is, will you guys also watch Deadpool & Wolverine when it gets shown here in the Philippines?

Deadpool was created by Rob Liefeld, while Wolverine was created by Len Wein and John Romita Sr.