Sometimes the internet can be a real game-changer, especially when it comes to movie titles.
Logline
Ryan Reynolds revealed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that the original title for Deadpool & Wolverine was changed at the last minute due to negative reactions online.
A Title Born of Necessity
While guest-hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Ryan Reynolds dropped a behind-the-scenes bombshell about Deadpool & Wolverine. Originally, the movie was set to be called Deadpool & Friend, a title that didn’t sit well with the online community. Reynolds explained to co-star Hugh Jackman how the change came about.
“I’ve never told this story anywhere, but the movie was originally called Deadpool & Friend. I am actually not joking,” Reynolds said during the show. “On the eve of the Super Bowl, the Super Bowl is where we first launched the trailer for Deadpool & — not Friend, but Wolverine — it leaked because of the son of the bitches on the internet. The title leaked. We looked at it and listened, and they f***ing hated that title. We were not feeling so good about that anymore.”
Convincing the Powers That Be
Despite the marketing materials already printed with the original title, Reynolds and the team managed to persuade Marvel Studios and Disney to switch to Deadpool & Wolverine. “We were like, ‘No, we’re f changing the title, I will never call this movie Deadpool & Friend.’ And they did it, they did it. They really changed the title,” Reynolds added.
This revelation also adds a layer of humor to a joke Hugh Jackman made on social media after the Super Bowl trailer’s premiere. Jackman posted a mock title card reading “Wolverine & Asshole,” likely made in jest following the title’s change from Deadpool & Friend.
Plot Beats
- Setting and Premise:
- Six years after Deadpool 2, Wade Wilson lives a quiet life as a car salesman.
- Time Variance Authority agents yank him from his mundane existence for a mission to save the multiverse, guided by Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen).
- A Wolverine variant (Hugh Jackman) joins Deadpool on this mission.
- Key Scenes and Dynamics:
- The film marks the first X-Men-related movie produced by Marvel Studios.
- It’s the inaugural entry of Deadpool into the MCU.
Cast and Crew
- Cast:
- Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool
- Hugh Jackman as Wolverine
- Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Paradox
- Director:
- Shawn Levy
Buzz and Highlights
The anticipation for Deadpool & Wolverine is high, with projections estimating a huge opening weekend. Tracking numbers suggest the film will gross between $160 million and $165 million domestically from July 26-28. Even on the lower end, this would break the record for the best R-rated opening, currently held by 2016’s Deadpool at $132.4 million. Global projections estimate between $340 million and $360 million, a strong start for the MCU following The Marvels’ disappointing $110 million global opening in late 2023.
Production Notes
The title change from Deadpool & Friend to Deadpool & Wolverine was a pivotal move. The initial title leak led to widespread backlash, prompting a quick rebranding. This anecdote underscores the power of fan feedback and the dynamic nature of film production.
Closing Credits
Directed by Shawn Levy, Deadpool & Wolverine promises to be a major hit, merging the irreverent humor of Deadpool with the rugged appeal of Wolverine. The film opens in theaters on July 26, 2024, and is poised to break box office records, proving that sometimes, the internet’s voice can lead to a title—and a film—that fans truly love.
Source: Jimmy Kimmel Live!
