Inside ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’s Shockingly Sweet Eulogy for 20th Century Fox

As a movie enthusiast with over three decades of watching superhero films under my belt, I can confidently say that “Deadpool & Wolverine” is not just another action-packed blockbuster – it’s an emotional rollercoaster that pays tribute to the studio that birthed these beloved characters. The film serves as a heartfelt farewell to 20th Century Fox, a studio whose Marvel films were an integral part of my childhood and adulthood.


Despite its crude humor, drug references, graphic violence, and self-referential wit, the summer’s “Deadpool & Wolverine” movie might surprise you as one of the most emotional films. Even seasoned Hollywood professionals and devoted superhero enthusiasts were moved by the film’s poignant goodbye to 20th Century Fox, reminiscent of the tear-jerking drama “Steel Magnolias.”

Originally, the popular character Deadpool made his screen debut at a studio that was once operational, established in 1935 and later purchased by Disney from Rupert Murdoch in 2019. This is where Deadpool first danced onto our screens in a tight leather suit with guns. Notably, this studio produced approximately two decades’ worth of Marvel films, including the X-Men series, which launched Hugh Jackman to fame. Initially, these characters originated from Marvel Comics but were licensed to Fox, keeping them separate from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Disney’s label for their film and TV adaptations). The merger with Disney brought about a change in this situation.

Simon Kinberg, a well-known writer-director from the Marvel universe under Fox and executive producer of the “Deadpool” series, shares with EbMaster his perspective: “Given that we all came up together in the Fox Marvel realm and eventually the Marvel Fox movies, it’s hard for me to envision this particular group not considering the heritage of the films they’re moving on from.”

Despite fans’ fondness for many films produced by Fox, it’s hard to deny that maintaining quality wasn’t one of their strong suits. For every critically acclaimed film like “X2” or “Logan”, there was a less popular addition to their superhero series – such as “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer”, which is best left unmentioned.

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2024-07-31 01:46