‘We Did Not Crack It’: Shawn Levy Credits Hugh Jackman For Saving Deadpool & Wolverine From Failing

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As a lifelong Marvel fan who’s seen more superhero movies than I can count (and that’s saying something!), I must say that Deadpool & Wolverine has to be one of my all-time favorites. The way Hugh Jackman saved this movie from flopping, it’s like he donned the claws and came to the rescue just in time!

During its time in theaters, Deadpool and Wolverine shattered numerous box office records, earning widespread acclaim. Fans adored Ryan Reynold’s comedic delivery and the surprise guest appearances, but director Shawn Levy asserted that it was Hugh Jackman who kept the movie from falling flat.

As I sat down for an exclusive chat with the brilliant mind behind “Wicked,” Jon M. Chu, for a special feature on Variety, he confided in me that we, his dedicated team, found ourselves at a loss, disheartened by the initial script that fell short of our expectations.

Approximately a year or so down the line, Levy resumed work on the third installment of the Deadpool series. This is what prompted Jackman to reach out and confirm that he would portray the role of Wolverine in the movie, which was initially titled “Deadpool and Friends.

In simpler terms, Levy shared that he had discussions with Kevin Feige about Deadpool 3. They attempted for months but couldn’t find the right idea – it was either too grand for Deadpool or not suitable for Marvel. In the end, they admitted defeat and decided to postpone the project until a later time.

The director shared more details, stating that he received a call from Jackman approximately one to two years after their initial conversation. He explained, “Exactly then, Hugh [Jackman] phoned and shared, ‘I’ve had an inspiration. I wish to be associated with Deadpool.’ At the time, he was unaware that the film was about to end. As soon as Hugh called, I knew what direction it would take. It’s a film centered around friendship, redemption, and a road trip, similar to Midnight Run or 48 Hrs.

During a challenging time for Marvel, with films like Thor: Love and Thunder and Ant-Man: Quantumania not meeting expectations, Deadpool and Wolverine stepped in to provide a much-needed boost. Their joint venture went on to gross over $1 billion at the worldwide box office.

In the storyline of the film, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman teamed up to combat the villainy of Cassandra Nova (portrayed by Emma Corrin). Simultaneously, Jennifer Garner, Channing Tatum, Wesley Snipes, Dafne Keen, Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth made appearances in supporting roles.

Deadpool & Wolverine is available to stream on Disney+.

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2024-12-18 23:08