Fact: The excitement for Deadpool 3 is palpable now that the movie has officially begun filming. Second fact: The Merc’s addition to the MCU spells exciting opportunities for the studio’s somewhat shaky future. However — and this is a big however — the claim from comic book writer and co-creator of Deadpool, Rob Liefeld that the threequel will be “more of a Wolverine movie” is giving me serious pause, and for a very good reason.
The last time we were presented with a major superhero’s long-awaited sequel with hints it would heavily lean into a secondary character’s storyline was with Wanda Maximoff in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. You don’t need me to tell you how that one turned out.
There isn’t enough space on the page to grill director Sam Raimi. I will say, however, that Elizabeth Olsen’s recent comments corroborating fans’ complaints about Marvel walking back on Wanda’s story arc put my mind at ease and had me feeling less alone on my island of disdain, but I digress.
Truly, I should not let Multiverse of Madness’ faults in juggling Wanda, Stange, and America Chavez’s storylines become the bedrock for my Deadpool 3 concerns. Yet, the truth of the matter is Marvel has been struggling, so when I hear that Deadpool 3 will see Wolverine essentially take top billing over Wade, my palms become sweaty.
Hugh Jackman’s addition to the Deadpool family is inarguably the threequel’s selling point, next to the fact that it will be the first R-rated film in the MCU and that Ryan Reynolds and Rhett Reese will team up again to write the script, this time with the help of The Adam Project director Shawn Levy. That’s promising, I won’t deny it.
However, because it’s so early in the production process, there’s virtually nothing to go on at this point regarding the movie’s plot. We know the X-Force will be back, we know the likes of The Crown‘s Emma Corrin and Matthew Macfadyen have joined the family, and we know that the one and only Rob Delaney will return. (And maybe even a cameo from an X-Men veteran). All exciting things, yes. But also a lot to juggle. Kind of like how Multiverse of Madness had a lot to juggle.
This is what happens when a film is labeled the savior of a franchise. It becomes weighed down by the pressures to keep an entire ship afloat. Because both Deadpool and Deadpool 2 were massive successes, it’s scary to think this threequel will fall victim to the threequel curse. Just look at Iron Man 3 and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. While there are exceptions to that rule like Thor: Ragnarok, it’s still concerning. Here’s an even scarier thought: The idea that Marvel will do to Wolverine what it did to Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Now there’s something to shudder at.
Alas, patience is a virtue, but like Wade Wilson, I’m short on any. Good thing we at least have a locked-in release date. For better or for worse. Deadpool 3 will premiere in theaters on Nov. 8, 2024.