An Unequivocally “Marvel-lous” Pairing

The cinematic melding of Deadpool and Wolverine is an unlikely, but not altogether unexpected, development given the characters’ comic book history in the Marvel universe. The origins of the duo’s on-screen viability traces back about 20 years to yet another studio. Back then, 20th Century Fox held the reins and under its banner, the X-Men, featuring Deadpool and Wolverine star attractions, struck a chord with audiences. However, coming from a stable that seemed to have a penchant for R-rated violence and profanity contrasted sharply with the sanitized world of PG-13 that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Moreover, the fact that Hugh Jackman, who personified Wolverine, had given a final salute to his superhero persona in 2017’s “Logan” was a resounding signal that a Wolverine revival was not on the cards. Death by tree impalement is usually a strong hint.

Dusting Off the Comic Covers

Yet, one might argue that the very factor making Deadpool & Wolverine’s return improbable, is actually what makes it possible. A previous attempt at this crossover in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”, resulted in a cinematic disaster of such magnitude that it threatened both characters’ onscreen existence. Somehow, much like a badly drawn comic panel that somehow sells for millions, we find ourselves on the precipice of a sequel featuring Deadpool and Wolverine as co-leads. Probability is God’s way of remaining anonymous after all.

Fox’s first stab at branching out their popular X-Men franchise was marked by numerous oddball decisions. The subsequent spinoffs and standalone movies swirled together such a cocktail of creative confusion that a distinct taste of “what the hell are they thinking?” was left in viewers’ mouths. Is it a prequel showcasing Logan’s (Wolverine) nascent bourgeoning powers? Perhaps, but also the story of how Wolverine acquired his Adamantium claws, and yes, something about an undying warrior doomed to wander the world alone. But oh, aren’t we forgetting Cyclops? Let’s shoehorn him in, too, because why not?

Does Comic Book Logic Make Sense, Anyway?

The plot line meandered through loosely adapted Marvel comic narratives revealing Logan’s shared childhood with Victor (Sabretooth) their eternal-youthful selves locked in endless skirmishes from the Civil War through Vietnam. The duo eventually caught the attention of one William Stryker (Danny Huston) who recruited them to his secret mutant force. Once again, the audience was reminded that logic, much like taxes, can be conveniently ignored in superhero movies.

Among a motley crew of mutants who had wildly varying powers ranging from teleportation to immovability, there was Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), jovial tinkerer of lethal blades. His wisecracks provided little respite amidst the head-shaking inconsistencies of a plot crowded with mutants; a plot that fluttered aimlessly even as the once-dapper Wade Wilson returned transformed into a talking-deprived, hairless mutant amalgam who bore the moniker ‘Deadpool’.

From Deadpool to…Dead…Pool?

It’s quite a curveball treatment for Deadpool, who earned the nickname ‘The Merc With a Mouth’ in the Marvel comics. Suddenly silencing his light-speed banter was a bewildering decision. Not exactly a touch of genius, making a mindless assassin out of a famously talkative character. Factor in puzzling scenes such as Stryker sending his top gun Zero to eliminate Wolverine without equipping him with the requisite Adamantium bullets, the plot certainly had a generous serving of “what the heck just happened?” moments.

However, beneath the eccentric jumbling of narratives and oddball characterizations, there existed tantalizing flashes of potential for the Deadpool-Wolverine pairing. Reynolds’ Deadpool, with his rapid-fire dialogue and hyperactive on-screen persona, bore hints of how a few tweaks and thoughtful writing could reinvent his character, in a future outing maybe?

The Birth of a Marvel Cinematic Phantom

It’s clear that ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ ended up as a tonal, visual, and structural Titanic. Despite that, Deadpool and Wolverine as a duo found a way to tread above the tainted waters. Indeed, when you filter out the rest of the cinematic mess, Reynolds’ scenes as Deadpool alongside Jackman’s gruff Logan offered glimpses of how the duo could strike a complementary balance. Highlighting this particular cinematographic ‘Easter egg’ reveals the kernel of why Deadpool & Wolverine, as confusing as that may sound following the disastrous outing of ‘Origins’, might end up surprising MCU fans. Furthermore, isn’t deciphering the layered complexities of convoluted comic books the thrill that keeps pulling us back to such franchises?