Deadpool Might Be Key To The Future Of The X-Men Franchise
In many ways ‘Deadpool’ is the first instance of 20th Century Fox’s 'X-Men’ cinematic universe truly branching out. Everything before it has either been a sequel, a prequel or a spin-off for Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine.
Spin-off movies starring someone who is already essentially the main character of the core films doesn’t really count in our view, so 'Deadpool’ represents a crucial point in the expansion of the mutant superhero series.
- China Bans Deadpool
- Deadpool ‘Best Marvel Movie Yet?’
- Yes, Deadpool Has A Post-Credits Stinger
For the uninitiated, Deadpool is a wise-cracking smart-ass anti-hero with incredibly proficiency with weapons and a healing ability to match Wolverine’s. He’s known and beloved for his self-referential humour and tendency to break the fourth wall.
Ryan Reynolds portrayed the character in 2009’s first Wolverine spin-off, but the character was handled incredibly poorly, much like the film itself, which is why it has essentially been retconned out of existence. Reynolds’ love the character made a new, more faithful movie possible - and that’s the film that will be released next week (10 February).
The film’s importance to the future of 'X-Men’ films relies in part on its success. If it performs well at the box office (considering that it has an R-Rating in the States and a 15 certificate in the UK) Fox will more at ease with the idea of further spin-offs, such as the planned 'Gambit’ movie starring Channing Tatum.
The problem with the 'X-Men’ universe to date has been that it is based on an ensemble comic, and so its characters aren’t known for starring in their own adventures. Wolverine made the transition because it’s Wolverine (also because of Hugh Jackman) but there have been no spin-offs for Magneto or Mystique, as have been touted in the past, or other characters like Cyclops.
Deadpool’s success, coupled with the debuts of younger actors in some of the most famous mutant roles in May’s 'X-Men: Apocalypse’, could make standalone films for certain heroes more likely in the years ahead.
There’s also the fact that any cinematic universe akin to Marvel’s Avenger-centric one will naturally share characters from film to film, and Deadpool is the perfect candidate to pop-up wherever he might fit in.
- How Long Was Bill Murray Stuck In Groundhog Day?
- Vaping DiCaprio Sends Internet Wild
- Deadpool Gets UK 15 Rating
Deadpool has always been a force unto himself, a character who almost-literally exists on a separate plane to his peers. In the comics the character is aware he’s in a comic, which allows him to break the fourth wall, and if that’s reflected in the movies too there’s certainly a lot of fun to be had.
He can pop up wherever he wants and there’s enough scope to make it work, even in the 12A / PG-13 world of the core 'X-Men’ series. Deadpool is most at home in blood soaked and profanity-laden R-rated tales, but he can also exist in the more box office-friendly films.
He can do it without sacrificing what makes the character work as well, because swearing and gore aren’t key to his popularity or appeal. If they accounted for even most of the appeal, he wouldn’t be a good character to begin with.
So we could see Deadpool pop-up alongside Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in his final film as the character, or alongside any new actor who takes up the role in future 'X-Men’ films (OF COURSE they’ll recast). He could pop up in 'Gambit’ or in the long-in-gestation 'X-Force’ movie.
Deadpool could appear anywhere, alongside anyone, and if he’s a hit with audiences he’ll only create more opportunities for characters to flourish on the big screen.
- Pope To Make Acting Debut
- Zoolander Stars Hit Rome
- John Krasinski Wore Captain America Costume
Picture Credits: 20th Century Fox
