Summary
It is hard to find anyone who doesn’t agree with the notion thatX-Men Origins: Wolverinebutchered its portrayal of “Deadpool,” but the truth is that the earlyMarvelmovie could never have used the real one. In 2009 Fox’s X-Men franchise attempted a spinoff series of origin movies starting with Wolverine’s.X-Men Origins: WolverinedepictedWolverine’s pre-X-Men storywhere he encountered a number ofother mutants including Taylor Kitsch’s Gambit, Will-I-Am’s John Wraith, and Kevin Durand’s Blob. Wade Wilson also played a central role and was portrayed for the first time by Ryan Reynolds.
WhileX-Men Origins: Wolverinewas not devoid of enjoyable moments, such as Wade Wilson’s early scenes, this depiction of Deadpool stands out as one of its biggest low points. The creative license that Fox used was gratuitous, turning Deadpool into a mute amalgamation of several mutant powers, inexplicably equipping him with Cyclops' optic blasts and the ability to extend his iconic katanas from within his arms.
Thankfully, 7 years later, Ryan Reynolds and Shawn Levy would redeem the Merc' with a Mouth inDeadpool.Nevertheless, their version of Deadpool would never have worked inX-Men Origins: Wolverine.
10 Major Realizations I Had Rewatching Deadpool’s First X-Men Appearance
Deadpool’s first movie appearance was in the highly derided X-Men Origins: Wolverine, but years later, his depiction has taken on a new inflection.
Modern Movie Deadpool Would’ve Been Jarring In X-Men: Origins
Ryan Reynolds recently divulged that themissteps inX-Men Origins: Wolverinewere not the fault of the creative team, but “studio mandates.” While studio interference tarnishing the final product is nothing new in cinema, there is at least something to be said for Fox’s decisions when it came to its Deadpool adaptation. Specifically,a more authentic Deadpool in the context ofX-Men Origins: Wolverinewould have been completely out of place.
The revised Deadpool would revisit his ill-fated first encounter with Wolverine in the post-credits scene ofDeadpool 2.
Despite its sillier moments,X-Men Origins: Wolverineattempted to strike a relatively serious tone befitting its troubled protagonist. Even its moments of levity did not strike the same exuberant tone asDeadpool’s future solo movies, and introducing Reynolds' more comic-accurate vision of the character would have been grating.Deadpool & Wolverinedemonstrates how a decidedly cantankerous Wolverine works well to counterbalance Deadpool’s irreverence, but that is not the kind of character that Wolverine was in the earlier days of superhero movies.
The Superhero Genre Wasn’t Ready For Reynolds' Modern Deadpool In The 2000s
WhileDeadpool & Wolverine, with its vibrancy and excess, may be precisely what comic book movie fans are clamoring for today, the same was not necessarily true in the ’00s. The success ofX-MenandSpider-Man, two pioneers of the modern superhero genre, hinged on their ability to tread the line between comic book silliness and a more grounded tone.Deadpoolwas released at a time when superhero movies were a well-established if not dominant cinematic mainstay, helping to make his irreverent take-downs of the genre stick the landing.
Despite the raucous approval of the comic-accurate outfit debuting in Deadpool & Wolverine, a spandex-clad Wolverine in X-Men truthfully would have been too silly.
At a time when the superhero genre was still finding its feet,Deadpool’s meta-commentary would have been a bridge too far. This is exemplified by Cyclops' Easter egg comment inX-Menas he asks Wolverine if he’d “prefer yellow spandex” in response to Wolverine’s derision of their black leather costumes. Despite the raucous approval of the comic-accurate outfit debuting inDeadpool & Wolverine,a spandex-clad WolverineinX-Mentruthfully would have been too silly.
Deadpool & Wolverine Proves Just How Far Superhero Movies Have Really Come
Fox’s X-Men franchise was famously coy about adapting Marvel’s mutants with 100% accuracy. Making the leap from fantastical comic book panels to live-action was limited by more than tech.X-Men wasreleased just three years afterBatman & Robinwas lambasted for its excessively campy depiction of superheroes in cinema, putting pressure on Fox to deliver a more muted take on the genre. At that time, winning audiences over to the notion that Superhero movies weren’t solely for kids required establishing an element of maturity.
X-Men Origins: Wolverineis a far cry from the groin-stabbing scenes in theDeadpool & Wolverinetrailerin a world where comic book silliness is celebrated. Meanwhile,The Batmanhas embraced one of the grittiest portrayals of a superhero in cinema,Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesshired one of the movie industry’s foremost horror directors, andWandaVisiondepicted a superhero story through the lens of a sitcom.
In this context,Deadpool is freer than ever to indulge in the meta-commentarythat defines his character and mock the superhero franchises that have become a bona fide cinematic mainstay.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Cast
X-Men Origins: Wolverine explores the backstory of the iconic mutant Wolverine, portrayed by Hugh Jackman. Released in 2009, the film delves into Logan’s journey through the Weapon X program as he seeks revenge for his girlfriend’s death while uncovering complex relationships with other mutants.
