Deadpool & Wolverine has been performing beyond expectations at global box offices for weeks, breaking record after record. Currently, the film is closing in on Jurassic World, starring Chris Pratt, and is rapidly approaching the ranks of the top 20 highest-grossing films of all time.
Released in late July, Deadpool & Wolverine has already surpassed the $1 billion mark, currently sitting at $1.3 billion, earning its spot among the highest-grossing films of all time. Its debut weekend alone brought in over $200 million in North American box offices, quickly conquering cinemas. Soon after, it effortlessly surpassed $500 million globally, followed by a relatively easy leap to the $1 billion milestone.
But how did Deadpool 3 become Deadpool & Wolverine? Ryan Reynolds had to deal with leaked test footage from the Deadpool film for Fox to invest in his dream project. The R-rated movie was a massive hit, grossing $782 million against a $58 million budget. It was not only a financial success, but also beloved by critics and audiences for its carefree, bloody, and of course, incredibly funny superhero content. The sequel, Deadpool 2, also did exceptionally well two years later, making it almost certain that Wade Wilson’s story would become a trilogy. Then came Disney’s acquisition of Fox, throwing the development of Deadpool 3 into uncertainty. Fans wondered if the mutant anti-hero would get another adventure. Eventually, Disney committed to it, and even upped the ante by bringing in Wolverine, one of the X-Men’s most iconic characters.
When Walt Disney acquired 20th Century Fox in 2019 and gained the rights to Deadpool, many worried about how Disney would handle the foul-mouthed, R-rated anti-hero. It’s safe to say, they didn’t hold back. Directed by Shawn Levy, the film delivers and is one of the most thrilling entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in recent years.
In Deadpool & Wolverine, Marvel ties Deadpool into the universe using the multiverse concept and the Time Variance Authority (TVA) from the Marvel series Loki. However, this could be seen as one of the film’s drawbacks, as viewers unfamiliar with Loki might find it confusing to follow the TVA’s role and Deadpool’s place in the timeline. Despite this, Deadpool & Wolverine is undoubtedly one of the best MCU productions I’ve seen in a while, and could mark a resurgence for Marvel, which seemed to be losing steam as fans began tiring of the ever-expanding superhero roster.