How Deadpool and Wolverine Reignited the MCU
Is Deadpool and Wolverine the "anchor being" that Marvel needed to bring the MCU back to life?
SPOILERS AHEAD FOR DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE !!
It was no secret that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) had been struggling. After the massive success of Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: No Way Home, the MCU found itself in a challenging position. Phase 4 introduced the concept of an all-powerful multiverse, aiming to expand possibilities for characters and storylines. However, instead of creating excitement, this expansion seemed to leave the franchise tripping over itself. As more films were released, audiences began to wonder: Is the MCU running out of ideas?
But Marvel had one more trick up its sleeve, one that had been in development for quite some time.
Deadpool and Wolverine, released in the summer of 2024, took the world by storm. Not only did it dominate the box office, grossing an astounding £1.3 billion and becoming the 22nd highest-grossing film of all time, but it also left an indelible mark on pop culture. Fans hailed it as “the spark that reignited the MCU,” praising its breathtaking fight scenes, witty one-liners, and unforgettable opening credits. So what did Marvel do differently with this third Deadpool instalment that brought fans back in droves to the superhero genre?
1. Fan Service
Marvel movies are known to be incredible in paying homage to previous movies within the cinematic universe, especially if the movies are directly following one another. Deadpool and Wolverine is a perfect example of how to do fan service correctly and not make every reference feel forced into the narrative. One scene in particular stood out to me in terms of fan service, which is when Wade sits down with Happy Hogan and tells him that he not only wants, but needs to be an avenger. Happy starts monologing to him about what it means to be an avenger and what he needs to sacrifice, and all while this is happening, we are looking around Happy’s office, where we see Captain America’s Broken Shield, Tony Stark’s Arc Reactor and his Helmet, as well as the picture of Tony and Peter Parker, with Peter being covered by the helmet, truly enforcing the idea that he has been forgotten about.
In my screening, I think I audibly gasped when I saw that the photo had been covered. The subtle moments in the movie, such as Cassandra Nova’s base being in Antman’s Armour are also great and they serve as a great moment to see what has really happened in these other multiverses.
We can’t talk about this movie without diving into the incredible cameos. One standout was the return of Dafne Keen as X-23. Her character, who we saw begin to evolve in Logan, was a fantastic addition and a great nod to fans. On top of that, seeing Jennifer Garner reprise her role as Elektra, Wesley Snipes as Blade, and Chris Evans as Johnny Storm felt like a nostalgic treat. And if that wasn’t enough, Channing Tatum finally made his appearance as Gambit, adding yet another layer of excitement.
The film also introduced us to a ton of memorable Deadpool and Wolverine variants: Henry Cavill as “Cavillrine,” Blake Lively voicing Ladypool, Matthew McConaughey as Cowboy Deadpool, and Nathan Fillion as Headpool, a floating head. These cameos and character choices elevated the film and made it feel like a true celebration of the superhero genre.
2. Dialogue
If there’s one thing the Deadpool movies consistently nail, it’s the dialogue. The third instalment is no exception, with quotes that have continued to dominate pop culture months after the film’s release. Every line feels purposeful and natural, fitting seamlessly into the story without being out of place or forced. Unlike some recent films that struggle to tailor dialogue to a specific demographic, Deadpool and Wolverine strikes a balance, appealing to a broad audience without compromising its sharp humour.
“Look, we know the title of this thing so I know what you're wondering: how are we gonna do this without dishonoring Logan's memory? Well, I'll tell you how. We're not” - Deadpool.
This kind of witty, self-aware humour is a hallmark of the film, and the dialogue is some of the funniest in the franchise. The chemistry between Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine is electric, with their contrasting personalities—Deadpool’s sarcastic wit and Wolverine’s gruff seriousness—creating nearly flawless comedic timing as they bounce off each other throughout the film.
Beyond Deadpool and Wolverine, the supporting characters also deliver some standout dialogue that has resonated with fans long after watching. Channing Tatum’s Gambit, for example, delivers one of the most iconic lines in the entire film, placing his role as a memorable addition to the cast. Even Emma Corrin’s Cassandra Nova, the film’s villain, has some sharp one-liners that not only showcase her character's dark wit but also make her a more compelling and enjoyable character.
“Do you know how long I've been waiting for this? Woo, I'm about to make a name for myself here” - Gambit.
3. The Action Sequences
Marvel has always been brilliant at creating memorable action set pieces, and Deadpool and Wolverine is no exception. The opening credits alone are a perfect showcase of what Marvel can pull off. From the moment the TVA appears behind Deadpool and he breaks the fourth wall, you know you're in for a wild ride. It’s a classic “Deadpool franchise” action scene, complete with gruesome, graphic deaths and blood everywhere, all cleverly contrasted with Deadpool dancing to NSYNC’s iconic hit Bye Bye Bye. It’s chaotic, hilarious, and exactly what fans have come to expect from the franchise.
Fans were finally treated to the fight they’d been hoping for: Deadpool versus Wolverine. Two completely contrasting characters, both with the ability to regenerate, beating the crap out of each other—what more could fans ask for? The scene is brilliantly paced, set against a desolate backdrop filled with easter eggs, including a broken 20th Century Fox logo (if you know, you know...). It’s the perfect clash, and the chaos is everything fans had imagined. And, of course, no discussion of the action scenes would be complete without mentioning the epic final showdown. Deadpool and Wolverine face off against 100 different Deadpool variants, all set to a choir version of Madonna. What’s not to love? The scene is wild, gruesome, and incredibly fun, delivering the highly anticipated heroic moment fans are still obsessing over months later.
In summary, Deadpool and Wolverine has proven to be the missing piece the MCU needed. Despite its flaws, the film has cemented its place in cinematic history and may well be the "anchor being" the Marvel Universe was searching for to reignite its momentum.
The music in this movie (and throughout the series) is everything. Always look forward to it!
respectfully, i don't want spoilers so i'll come back to this!!! 😅 but is it good ? (the film not your post!)