Deadpool & Wolverine had a lot to live up to. It represented a huge change in the narrative of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as it attempted to do many ambitious feats: it had to close of the X-Men movie universe, as established since 2000 in X-Men. It also had to bring Deadpool and his R-Rated chaos into the family-friendly MCU without causing a stir. It also had to bring Wolverine back after the character’s death in Logan, after a regretful Hugh Jackman decided to make a comeback. And finally, it had to be a part of ‘The Multiverse Saga’ an ongoing concern in the MCU since Black Widow.

Development for a third Deadpool film began at 20th Century Fox in 2016, but was put on hold after Disney’s acquisition of the studio in 2019. Eventually, control of the character shifted to Marvel Studios, which collaborated with Ryan Reynolds to create a new film. The project stumbled when the writers and Reynolds couldn’t find a way to gel the character’s R-Rating over into the family-friendly Disney fold.

The film’s breakthrough came when Hugh Jackman decided to reprise his role as Wolverine. Known for his portrayal of Logan in the X-Men films, Jackman’s return injected excitement into the project. His partnership and real-life friendship with Reynolds promised an electrifying on-screen dynamic.

Upon its release, Deadpool & Wolverine grossed over $200 million worldwide on it’s opening weekend, becoming the highest-grossing R-Movie ever. As part of Phase Five of the MCU, it fans flocked to witness the epic team-up of these beloved characters, marking a successful box office run. As to the future… well, as Paradox says to Wade: “Let’s just forget you ever saw that…”

Oh for fu–. Fine. You do it Wade. I’m going to get a bucket – start scrubbing the blood you just dragged in off the floor…

Hey there, fellow reality-hoppers! Wade Wilson here, the one and only Merc with a Mouth. Buckle up, buttercup, ’cause we’re about to dive into a cosmic blender of chaos, mutants, and more plot twists than a telenovela. 

So, picture this: I’m done slicing and dicing bad guys (the Avengers were busy), retired my red suit, and now I’m peddling used cars. Yeah, life’s a real carnival of mediocrity. But then, bam! The Time Variance Authority (TVA) crashes my birthday bash. They’re like cosmic hall monitors, and they’ve got beef with my timeline. Apparently, it’s unravelling faster than my sanity during a chimichanga shortage. 

Turns out, my timeline’s falling apart because of Logan – yeah, the grumpy claw guy. He’s the anchor, the cosmic duct tape holding everything together. So, what’s a Merc to do? Steal Paradox’s fancy TemPad and hop through the multiverse like a caffeinated kangaroo. 

I meet Logans left and right: some brooding, some berserker-raging. But one Logan, let’s call him “Snikt Supreme,” might just save the day. Problem is, he accidentally nuked his own universe. Now we’re stuck in the Void, where discarded timelines go to chill. It’s like a cosmic junkyard, but with more existential dread. 

Cue the villain parade! Sabretooth, Captain America (who’s actually Johnny Storm – don’t ask), and Cassandra Nova – the evil twin sis of Professor X. She’s got mind mojo for days. Oh, and Alioth, this cosmic vacuum cleaner that snacks on Void-dwellers. Yum. 

We bump into Nicepool (yep, another me) who gifts us a sweet ride. I also steal his dog. We hit the Void’s borderlands, where the Others hang out – Elektra, Blade, Remy LeBeau, and X23. They’re like the Avengers, but edgier. Logan’s all broody, but X23 gives him a pep talk about saving her X-Men. Spoiler alert: it’s emotional. 

The gang takes on the big bad gang and Nova’s the big bad gang leader, pulling mind tricks and scheming like a cosmic chess master. Pyro’s works for Mr. Parazone though, and we slap Juggernaut’s helmet on her. Boom! Pyro goes flamethrower crazy. Nova’s toast. But then Alioth crashes the party, and it’s like Godzilla meets a migraine. Race ya to the portal home. 

Back on Earth-10005, Para-nox-face got this Time Ripper – a cosmic euthanasia machine. Nova’s ticked off, and the Deadpool Corps (yep, more me’s) gatecrash. Logan and me suit it up, slap on the Madge and Streets of Rage our way through ladies, zombie heads, babies and… oooh Welshpool… 
 
In the end the only way to save the frickin’ universe if for me and Log to flip the big switch. Bad news, it’ll make us crispier than Gambit’s burned beignets. Logan shoves me, I shove him, but in the end we share (cos, we’re like, buds) and save the day. No death. And happily, much flesh. 

Logan gets a golden ticket to stay in my timeline. No more decay! But he’s all broody about changing his past. B-15, the TVA agent, drops truth bombs: Logan’s the anchor, and life’s about to get peaceful. I hug it out with Vanessa, and Logan’s off to retire. Cue the sunset. 

And That’s a Wrap: So, kiddos, remember: timelines are like chimichangas: sometimes they explode, but you gotta savor the flavor. And if you see a guy in red spandex selling cars, tell him Deadpool says hi.

Now, who’s up for schwarma?

(1) The opening scenes of the movie take place in the 616 universe with Happy Hogan, played by Jon Favreau, who is surrounded by Avengers memorabilia including Iron Man helmets, Captain America’s prototype shield and Tony’s arc reactor from his funeral in Avengers: Endgame. 

(2) The Time Variance Authority first appeared in Thor #272. It’s their job to observe the myriad of alternate timelines and keep the multiverse from imploding. They’ve been doing the job onscreen in the MCU series Loki, which is where Hunter B-15 comes from. Paradox comes from She-Hulk #3 in 2006. He was one of three judges who preceded over Jennifer’s case. The other two were Loki cast members Ouroboros and Mobius. 

(3) There’s a multitude of connections to the MCU: scenes from Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor: The Dark World and Captain America: Civil War can be seen on the TVA monitors. When he finally returns to the TVA with the Logan he has chosen, Deadpool says “On your left” – a code phrase used between Cap and the Falcon in Avengers: Endgame. 

(4) When Wade goes searching through the multiverse for a Logan to call his own, he literally bumps into a host of variants from across the cosmos: one, in a barn, is exactly as he should be, but played by Superman star Henry Cavill. He encounters Old Man Logan on a porch, a very short Logan who he calls ‘comic-accurate size’, the Age of Apocalypse Weapon X and a John Byrne inspired costume that Wade likes – until a Hulk, in a replay of Wolverine’s first appearance, bats him aside. There’s an homage to the cover of Incredible Hulk #340 as well. We also meet Patch, his disguise while he’s working in Madripoor and finally, in the most gruesome, a Wolverine crucified to an X, exactly as seen on the cover of Uncanny X-Men #251.

(5) Various vehicles from across the Marvel movies can be seen in the Void, including a version of the Fantasti-Car, the Red Skull’s car and Captain America’s motorbike from Captain America: The First Avenger, a downed Helicarrier, the Milano from Guardians of the Galaxy, the Marie Celeste and a von Darrelman Cupcake van from Moon Knight.

(6) We can also see the Golden Gate Bridge from X-Men: The Last Stand, a triangular Captain America shield, a discarded Thor helmet and the statue of Wanda Maximoff from Wundagore from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. 

(7) Villains from across the Marvel movies appear in cameos in the film, as part of Cassandra Nova’s army. Look closely and you’ll spot the Russian (from The Punisher), Toad (X-Men), Lady Deathstrike (X2), Juggernaut and Callisto (X-Men: The Last Stand), the Blob (X-Men Origins: Wolverine), Azazel (X-Men: First Class), Psylocke (X-Men: Apocalypse) and Bullseye (Daredevil). 

(8) Cassandra Nova first appeared in New X-Men #114 and is the twin sister of Charles Xavier who is merged with a psychic parasite known as a mummudrai. Her look matches her comic garb, as does her habit of sticking her hands through people’s brains to read them.

(9) The Deadpool Corps are a team of misfit Deadpools from across the multiverse assembled by Wade 616 to save reality. They made their first comic book appearance in Prelude to Deadpool CORPS. 

(10) The Others consist of heroes from other branches of the Marvel movies: Elektra appears for the first time since her spin-off feature, Blade hasn’t been seen since Blade: Trinity and X23 returns from Logan. Channing Tatum was cast as Gambit for other X-Men movies and has never appeared until now, fulfilling his goal after nearly 20 years. 

(11) Elektra nonchalantly brushes off Daredevil’s death, a real life reference to the actors’ relationship. Blade makes reference to ice-skating up hill from his first appearance in Blade in 1999. Johnny Storm appears briefly, as played by Chris Evans, from Fantastic Four and it’s sequel Rise of the Silver Surfer. Deadpool hilariously mistakes him for Captain America. 

(12) Deadpool says there’s been more than one Punisher, a reference to the four actors to have played the role on screen since 1989. Logan makes reference to the yellow spandex statement from X-Men now that he’s finally wearing the comic accurate suit. Laura is seen wearing her sunglasses from Logan.

(13) Sabretooth, briefly played once again by Tyler Mane (X-Men) is decapitated by Logan almost immediately, similar to one of their many ‘final battles’ in the comics. 

(14) It’s ironic that Psylocke takes on X23. When they first met in Uncanny X-Men #460, Laura was so taken by Betsy that she emulated her every stance. 

(15) Logan refers to Deadpool as ‘God’s perfect idiot’, Wade’s own self-description from Deadpool. His cowboy variant is voiced by Matthew McConaughey, while the zombie Headpool is voiced by Nathan Fillion. Fittingly, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynold’s wife, voices Lady Deadpool, while their children voice Kidpool and Babypool.  

(16) The end credits pay tribute to the various FOX Marvel movies of the past, in particular the X-Men and Fantastic Four films as well as Daredevil and Elektra.

(17) And onto the meta: