Deadpool and Wolverine hit theaters on July 26, 2024, and blew up the box office. As of time of writing (September 26th), it has made a jaw dropping $1.3 billion dollars, and has some of the craziest legs I have ever seen, still making strides at the box office exactly two months after its release. It releases on digital in four days, and it seems the train of money is ready to keep chugging for Marvel Studios. But how did this happen? Right when the MCU was thought to be over by many, how is it back at the top? We’ll discuss how the merc with the mouth was responsible for this rise to the top, and how with this current momentum, the MCU can finally have a solid path forward to reach Avengers: Secret Wars.
When Disney bought 20th Century Fox all the way back in 2019, the Deadpool franchise was in control of Marvel Studios, along with the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four. Fans were eagerly waiting for these franchises to start coming to the MCU, and Ryan Reynolds was ready as well. With the release of Deadpool 2 in 2018, (another billion dollar blockbuster), Fox saw the potential, and so did Marvel. And, right around this time, Marvel was ending its highly influential and successful Infinity Saga with Infinity War and Endgame. So, how was Deadpool going to appear in the MCU? One word paved the way for Marvel, Fox, and Disney. Multiverse.
Deadpool is, of course, an R-Rated Character, who wouldn’t fit into the PG-13 MCU. However, within the multiverse, he could. After the massive success of Endgame, the MCU launched their less than perfect Multiverse Saga. This saga has had some triumphs such as Wandavision, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Loki (S1-S2), and X-Men ‘97. However, depending on how you ask, all the other projects in this saga are decisive. Ranging from great at their best, to horrible at their worst, a far cry from the high quality projects of the Infinity Saga. Marvel saw this trend, and knew they weren’t performing at their best. So they had only one choice. They now own the X-Men, so who can get them into the MCU? The man himself, Deadpool.
On September 27, 2022, Ryan Reynolds released a video talking about the next saga in the Deadpool franchise. How he would interact with the MCU, and how this new step could save the universe. But, before the video ended, Ryan Reynolds revealed that he wouldn’t be the only X-Man entering the MCU. But Hugh Jackman, the Wolverine, would be right there with him. Fans FREAKED out at this news, and the hype train began and was full steam ahead until release day two months ago.
I won’t spoil the film just in case some of you have not seen it, but honestly, the weight of this film is able to be seen even without spoilers. This film is a multiverse story, which many fans of the MCU find repetitive and tired. However, this film does it differently. Led by Ryan and Hugh, fans were able to see their heroes on the big screen once again. The story in the film is amazing, the visuals are great, and the cameos (it’s a multiverse story, you know they will be there!) are terrific.
So, here we are. We know the movie is great, and we know the history on why it is. We know it shattered box office records, and we know it made millions of people cheer in the theaters. But how is this movie going to save Marvel? I believe it already has. Deadpool and Wolverine was the only Marvel movie to release in 2024, and Marvel is perfectly content with this. They are focusing quality over quantity, and it shows. Next year, three massive power projects are being released. These being Thunderbolts, Captain America, and The Fantastic Four. In the beginning of the multiverse saga, Marvel didn’t have any stars. Any power hitters. They didn’t have an Iron Man. Now, with Deadpool and Wolverine, they do. And it seems the future is bright for Marvel Studios!
