Deadpool, also known as Wade Wilson, made his debut in the 1990 comic “New Mutants #98,” co-created by Fabian Nicieza and Rob Liefeld. However, it wasn’t until his solo comic series took a more comedic and self-aware turn, starting with “Deadpool #28” in 1997, that he really caught the public’s eye. He went from being a serious villain to a comic relief character who often pokes fun at more serious heroes like Wolverine.
Ryan Reynolds, who plays Deadpool, became interested in the role after a 2004 comic issue humorously compared Deadpool’s appearance to “Ryan Reynolds crossed with a shar-pei.” Although Deadpool’s movie journey started off rocky, with a poorly received cameo in 2009’s “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” (where they even sewed his mouth shut!), Reynolds eventually starred in two successful and critically praised films that stayed true to the comic book character.
Deadpool’s transition into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has had its ups and downs, but now he’s back with Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) in the 2024 film “Deadpool and Wolverine.” This film might have major implications for both the Deadpool franchise and the MCU.
What’s the Plot of “Deadpool and Wolverine”?
“Deadpool and Wolverine” kicks off with Deadpool causing a bit of chaos by digging up Logan’s adamantium skeleton. This is a cheeky reference to the end of “Logan” (2017), which was considered a fitting end for Jackman’s Wolverine and the 20th Century Fox X-Men universe. Deadpool, not one to show respect, waves Wolverine’s bones around and even uses them as a weapon.
Deadpool’s mission is prompted by a rogue TVA agent named Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen), who reveals that without Logan, Deadpool’s universe is doomed to fall apart. To save his world, Deadpool hops through the multiverse to find a new Logan. He ends up with a different, depressed Logan and brings him back to the TVA. Despite Deadpool’s attempts to convince Mr. Paradox to save his universe, the plan falls through, and Deadpool and his new Logan end up in the Void—a sort of apocalyptic limbo.
What Happens at the End of the Movie?
In the Void, Deadpool and Logan encounter various characters from past Marvel films, like Chris Evans as Johnny Storm from the 2005 “Fantastic Four” (whom Deadpool initially mistakes for Captain America). They discover that the Void is ruled by the evil Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin), Charles Xavier’s villainous twin from another universe.
Deadpool and Logan join forces with a group of superhero variants, including X-23 (Dafne Keen), Blade (Wesley Snipes), Elektra (Jennifer Garner), and Gambit (Channing Tatum), to fight Cassandra. Cassandra has her own plans to use a special device to destroy all timelines except for the Void’s. In the end, Deadpool and Logan manage to stop her and save the multiverse. They both survive, and Logan decides to retire quietly in Deadpool’s universe, which has been saved.
What Does the Ending Mean?
On one level, the ending of “Deadpool and Wolverine” serves as a sort of farewell to the older Marvel movies that came before the MCU’s official start in 2008 with “Iron Man.” The film gives closure to many characters from those earlier Marvel films and acknowledges their contributions.
The ending also hints that Deadpool might now be part of the MCU’s main timeline, given the film’s references to the “Sacred Timeline” and the many Marvel characters from past films. This could mean that future MCU films might see Deadpool interacting more directly with the main MCU continuity.
In the movie, Channing Tatum makes a cameo as Gambit. Although Tatum never played Gambit in any X-Men films, this appearance is a nod to the solo Gambit movie that was planned but never made. The cameo serves as a tribute to that unfulfilled project.
Wesley Snipes also reprises his role as Blade. This is particularly noteworthy given the upcoming “Blade” reboot, and the film references past tension between Snipes and Reynolds during the making of “Blade: Trinity.” The film’s dialogue reflects their past working relationship, adding an extra layer of humor.
