Can Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman save Marvel?

“I am the Messiah…I am the Miracle Jesus!” Ryan Reynolds, in his third starring role in Deadpool, positions himself as a snarky, X-rated, satirical antihero , which will return to theaters for the first time since 2018 on Thursday.

This is a typical subversive route. But the sharpest jokes also have some truth to them.

Disney’s Marvel franchise has no shortage of superheroes, but it’s now in need of rescuing.

Traditionally, heavyweights like Spider-Man, Thor, the Hulk or the Avengers could be relied upon to save the world. But these are not normal times for Marvel after a controversial slump.

It’s a good thing, then, that Reynolds’ Deadpool is fully joining the ranks with Aussie Hugh Jackman – thanks to the creative joys of the Marvel Multiverse (parallel worlds of alternate realities), he’s able to revisit Playing his iconic role: Wolverine with late metal claws.

A few years ago, Marvel’s declining fortunes would have seemed unthinkable even in the craziest timelines. Avengers: Endgame alone took in £2.1bn in 2019, the highest point in the studio’s cinematic universe, which has hit the ground running across 33 films since 2008 A dizzying gold rush that earned Hollywood nearly £23 billion.

But its iron grip loosened last year. The confusing name “Miracle” Opening price hits franchise record low £38m.

From traditional blockbusters to TV series released on streaming during the pandemic, the sheer amount of interconnected multiverse content is causing serious fatigue for viewers.

Tatiana Siegel writes that this creates “a confusing narrative that leaves the audience confused” In a variety show titled “Marvel Crisis”. She described Marvel mastermind Kevin Feige as being spread too thin across projects, struggling to maintain standards and be ready to swing the axe.

Disney CEO Bob Iger publicly admits the number of “Diluted” the brandpromising to rein in sequel-heavy culture and put story first.

Reynolds emphasized the film’s unique identity at a press conference earlier this month – bringing edge and self-mockery to an increasingly stale universe. As co-writer and producer, he said he was “very proud” of “making a different kind of movie for the Marvel Universe.”

He told the BBC in an interview that the Messiah lines reflected Deadpool’s enduring legacy of being “in the right place at the right time.”

“These lines were written prior to a larger analysis of media storytelling trends,” he added.

In this movie, Deadpool tries to escape his superhero past. But his peaceful life is shattered when the Marvel Universe’s Time Change Authority, the agency entrusted with balancing the dizzying multiverse timelines, finds itself out of control.

Corporate puppet Mr. Paradox, played by Succession’s Matthew Macfadyen, attempts to secretly recruit Deadpool to help preserve reality’s central “sacred” timeline at the expense of his world. He refuses and drags a reluctant, living Wolverine into his timeline to save the world.

When asked about possible future spin-offs from the duo, Reynolds insisted he wanted to avoid Marvel’s recent pitfalls. “I love being able to make a film that is a film in itself,” he told the BBC. “Deadpool and Wolverine are not an advertisement for another movie. It’s just not part of the DNA.”

Reynolds and Jackman have known each other for nearly two decades, first working together in 2008’s “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” where Reynolds began his superhero career. Their friendship is palpable.

“You’re so lucky, because a lot of people don’t know how jealous Wolverine is,” Jackman joked. “If you mention anyone else, I’ll kill them. Especially if it’s another Australian superhero.

“You know, his claws are out…” Reynolds scoffed.

“So Thor is out!” director Sean Levy added, referring to Australian Chris Hemsworth.

The exchange reflected how Reynolds viewed their real-world relationship reflected on screen. The Canadian star said it was a real pleasure writing dialogue for the film because it felt like “crossing that line – me and Hugh talking to each other as friends who have… been through a lot together.”

“Hugh and I were joking on the outside, but in real life our conversations were intense and emotional, about life and all kinds of things.”

As victims of the U.S. government’s Weapon X program, both Deadpool and Wolverine were given similar powers that they both loved and hated.

They first appeared as rivals in the 1980s, and by 1999, they had become staunch “frenemies” in the comics. In one issue, they bonded over their mutual torture in the Weapon X program and even shared a beer. “It was the beginning of an awkward friendship,” Eric Diaz of Nerds writes.

In 2019, Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, making Deadpool and Wolverine official members of the MCU.

The film fulfills an ambition years in the making. 2017’s critically acclaimed Logan saw the end of the superhero, and Jackman insists he “really meant it” when he announced he was “splitting” from Wolverine.

But weeks after filming wrapped in 2016, he saw the first Deadpool — which offered a different twist on the genre in an anarchic comedy — and regretted his decision.

“For four or five years, all I could see was these characters together,” he explains, thinking of classic buddy comedy/drama combos like “48” or “The Odd Couple.”

Eventually, it became an itch that he had to scratch. “I can tell you the date. August 14, 2022. I was driving and it just occurred to me – I want to do [Wolverine] Once again…Ryan plays Deadpool.

He pulled over and called Reynolds to plead his case. The timing is perfect, as the actor is just hours away from pitching the third Deadpool movie to Marvel alongside Levy.

Levy said Jackman’s arrival was key to giving the third film “reason” and “heart.”

For Reynolds’ Deadpool, that means Disney will be responsible for a lot of X-rated jokes. For Jackman, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore new depths with his beloved Wolverine.

“There are parts of the character that I always have different versions of and try to express. It’s something I’m always working on. And these guys nailed it.”

Jackman, 55, said his renewed enthusiasm may come from the perspective that age brings, after years on stage and a starring role in the screen musical “The Greatest Showman.”

“When you desperately want to come back, especially in this form, it feels very fresh.

“I heard more words in one monologue than I’ve ever heard in countable words. [previously] for the entire movie,” he explains.

The final trailer sent fans into meltdowns, with Dafne Keen making a shocking return as an older version of Wolverine’s daughter Laura in the famous “Logan Farewell.”

This is the epitome of fan service. But willpower alone won’t make a blockbuster possible to revive Marvel’s fortunes. Instead, this relies on authentic, cohesive storytelling.

Deadpool and Wolverine are the only Disney-backed Marvel Cinematic Universe releases this year (due to delays caused by the writers’ strike), but that’s probably not a bad thing.

Reviews from critics were mixed, but many described the film as the shot in the arm Marvel needed.

Three-star rating from The Guardian Said the film “teased the resurrection of the Marvel Cinematic Universe” and Deadpool’s quip about his savior complex was “basically spot on.”

Variety praises Deadpool and Wolverine’s “tear-eyed” fan service As a “welcome corrective” to 15 years of MCU convolution, even the special effects and action sequences don’t always match the 2018 sequel. “The entire genre needed a complete overhaul, and this clown-like character was just the man to do it,” added Peter De Bruges.

However, Two stars from The Independent It’s impossible to ignore “a boring and annoying corporate merger for a movie.”

The Hollywood Reporter says the film is on track The film’s US opening weekend gross of $165m (£127m) would make it the highest-grossing R-rated opening of all time.

Can it save the MCU? Not in itself – the problem of multiverse content runs deep. But it’s certainly dynamic and, quietly, fun – no matter which timeline you’re in.