The following contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine, currently in theaters.
Deadpool and Wolverine finally team up in an adventure that blends humor, action, and a tribute to the 20th Century Fox era of Marvel films. The big question on everyone’s mind, especially for those still sitting in theaters, is whether Deadpool & Wolverine includes any mid- or post-credits scenes. The answer is yes, but they aren’t the typical teasers for future MCU projects. Instead, these scenes serve as a celebration of the past and a comedic wrap-up to the movie’s wild ride.
A Decade in the Making
After nearly ten years of jokes and anticipation, Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine joins forces with Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool. This pairing has been a long time coming, and the film delivers on the promise of their combined chaotic energy. Deadpool & Wolverine stands alone as part of the Marvel Cinematic Multiverse, making numerous jokes about the state of the MCU post-Avengers: Endgame. Deadpool humorously comments to Wolverine about joining the MCU “at a low point,” and during a climactic scene, Prime Deadpool mocks the Multiverse Saga for not living up to expectations.
Despite Kevin Feige’s assurances that Deadpool is in the MCU, this film remains a distinct celebration of the Marvel universe as imagined by 20th Century Fox. The mid-credits scene is a testament to this, filled with references and homages to the Fox-era Marvel movies. The post-credits scene is equally noteworthy, providing a humorous and fitting end to the film without teasing future plotlines.
Subverting the Post-Credits Tradition
Marvel Studios has trained fans to stay through the credits with the promise of additional story snippets and teases for future films, a tradition that started with 2008’s Iron Man. However, Deadpool has always approached this tradition with a twist. The first Deadpool movie paid homage to one of the earliest modern post-credits scenes from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, with Reynolds donning a robe similar to Matthew Broderick’s and urging the audience to go home.
Deadpool 2 continued this trend with mid-credits scenes featuring Wade Wilson traveling through different timelines, but it notably lacked an official post-credits scene. Deadpool & Wolverine, however, brings back the tradition with both mid- and post-credits scenes that offer something unique and fitting for the characters.
A Marvel and Fox Tribute
The mid-credits scene of Deadpool & Wolverine is reminiscent of Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2, which featured video clips alongside the credits. Instead of new footage, audiences are treated to behind-the-scenes clips and highlights from past Marvel movies produced under the 20th Century Fox banner. This includes the X-Men films, the Fantastic Four series, and co-productions like Daredevil and Elektra. Jennifer Garner reprises her role as Elektra in the movie, and Jon Favreau appears as Happy Hogan instead of Foggy Nelson.
This nostalgic sequence is accompanied by audio from a 2000 interview with Hugh Jackman, taken from the X-Men DVD special features. Considering Jackman began playing Wolverine in 1999, 2024 marks his 25th year in the role. The montage is humorously underscored by Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life),” adding a layer of irony to the celebration of Fox’s Marvel legacy.
Why the Tribute Matters
The mid-credits scene is a heartfelt nod to the past quarter-century of Marvel films produced by Fox, acknowledging both their successes and their missteps. It features clips of the X-Men cast, both iterations of the Fantastic Four, and even the ill-fated reboot by Josh Trank. Despite mixed receptions, these films are an integral part of the superhero genre’s history and have left a lasting impact on fans and pop culture.
The Must-See Post-Credits Scene
The post-credits scene of Deadpool & Wolverine offers a surprising and entertaining moment that fans won’t want to miss. One of the original Avengers, Chris Evans, makes a cameo appearance. Initially faking out the audience by appearing as Captain America, he quickly flames on, revealing himself as Johnny Storm from the original Fantastic Four cast. This clever nod to Evans’ Marvel past is both surprising and hilarious, especially when Johnny Storm meets a gruesome yet comedic end, with Deadpool making quips all the while.
Set in the TVA control room, the scene sees Deadpool clearing his name regarding Johnny Storm’s demise. Despite Logan and others blaming him, Deadpool hilariously defends his actions, emphasizing that he was merely repeating Johnny Storm’s own words. This scene doesn’t tease future Marvel projects or introduce new characters, but it offers a few more moments of humor with a beloved actor and character.
A Fitting End for Wolverine?
For many fans, Logan was the perfect conclusion to Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine. The film was an emotional and poignant farewell to the character, exploring themes of failure, heroism, and legacy. Deadpool & Wolverine doesn’t shy away from this legacy, instead using it as a backdrop for its irreverent humor. The film opens with Deadpool literally desecrating Logan’s grave, using his adamantium skeleton to fight TVA agents. This scene sets the tone for a movie that balances respect for its characters with the trademark Deadpool irreverence.
A Celebration, Not a Promise
Deadpool & Wolverine’s post-credits scenes serve as a celebration of what has come before, rather than a promise of what’s to come. The film pays tribute to the actors, filmmakers, and stories that paved the way for superhero cinema, all while maintaining the raunchy, irreverent humor that fans expect from a Deadpool film. While it doesn’t provide hints about the future of mutants in the MCU, it offers fans a satisfying conclusion and a celebration of 25 years of Marvel movies under Fox.
Deadpool & Wolverine is currently playing in theaters, delivering a unique blend of humor, action, and nostalgia that is sure to delight fans old and new.
SEO Tags: Deadpool 3, Wolverine, Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, MCU, Deadpool & Wolverine, post-credits scene, Marvel Studios, 20th Century Fox
