Deadpool and Wolverine: What to Expect from Their Epic Collaboration

The first Deadpool movie was a fun and cheeky break from the serious superhero films that were popular in the mid-2010s. With his irreverent humor and tendency to break the fourth wall, Ryan Reynolds’ character, Wade Wilson, felt like a rebellious element in the polished superhero world before Avengers: Endgame.

Now, eight years later, the superhero landscape is more like a barren wasteland from Mad Max: Fury Road. Reynolds’ wisecracking hero has moved from being a maverick to a crucial part of a potential Marvel comeback. When Deadpool calls himself ‘Marvel Jesus’ in this wildly violent, time-hopping quest to save his friends and ex (Morena Baccarin, who has a minor role), he’s not kidding. Deadpool & Wolverine is not just a revival of the franchise but also a mismatched buddy film featuring a new version of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. This setup feels like a lot to handle for a character known for his sarcastic humor.

The film’s main villain has a TV-show quality. Matthew MacFadyen plays a shady Time Variance Agent (like in Disney+’s Loki) who’s intent on causing chaos across the multiverse for unclear reasons. The movie asks viewers to enjoy its playful tone and absurdity, except for its occasional emotional moments that feel out of place. Only Jackman, with his gruff demeanor, keeps things somewhat grounded while interacting with his talkative co-star.

Despite its awkward plot, there’s enough bloody action and sharp humor in Deadpool & Wolverine to make it an enjoyable watch in a lively cinema. Blake Lively, Reynolds’ wife, even gets a mention with a crude Deadpool joke. ‘There are 206 bones in the human body,’ he says, ‘207 if I’m watching Gossip Girl.’

The movie includes several cameos — though the details are under wraps, keep an eye out for an unexpected appearance involving Spam. The film makes fun of Disney, Kevin Feige, the MCU, and its previous home, 20th Century Fox, but the jokes lack true rebelliousness. Deadpool humorously speculates about the chaos and financial impact of teaming up with Wolverine, showing that someone clearly gave it some thought.

The movie’s big bad has a small-screen quality. Matthew MacFadyen channels Succession’s slimy Tom Wambsgans as a rogue Time Variance Agent (Disney+ show Loki is your course work here) hellbent on destroying swathes of the multiverse for reasons I can’t begin to explain. It’s another winky performance in a movie that asks you to take nothing seriously apart from its own moments of unearned pathos. Only the gruff Jackman, grousing monosyllabically at his chatterbox frenemy, keeps it grounded.

Still, cumbersome plotting aside, there’s enough gory mayhem and genuine zingers to make Deadpool & Wolverine a fun ride in a packed and up-for-it cinema. Even Mrs Reynolds, Blake Lively, gets the dubious honour of a gross Deadpool aside. ‘There are 206 bones in the human body,’ he notes, ‘207, if I’m watching Gossip Girl.’

Most of that fun is in the string of cameos – lips are sealed, although look out for an unexpected appearance from throwback meat product Spam – but the string of meta digs at Disney, Kevin Feige, the MCU, and its lead characters’ former home, 20th Century Fox, have zero rebellious edge. ‘Can you imagine the chaos… the residuals,’ jokes Deadpool of his team-up with Wolverine. Someone definitely did.