The journey to bringing “Deadpool 3” to life has been a rollercoaster for Ryan Reynolds and director Shawn Levy. As they neared the point of giving up on the sequel, a pivotal phone call from Hugh Jackman rekindled their hopes. According to Levy, Reynolds was on the brink of telling Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige that they couldn’t find the right story when Jackman, inspired during a break from his Broadway stint, called with a proposition: a Deadpool-Wolverine crossover.
Reynolds, who had long wanted to collaborate with Levy again, especially after their work on “The Adam Project,” found a glimmer of hope in Jackman’s enthusiasm. Despite initial uncertainties about continuing Wolverine’s story post-“Logan,” Jackman saw new potential in the dynamic between Deadpool’s irreverent humor and Wolverine’s stern demeanor. The trio, alongside screenwriters Paul Wernick, Rhett Reese, and Zeb Wells, eventually developed a fresh storyline that satisfied Marvel’s high standards.
Levy, Reynolds, and Jackman, who share a close friendship, believe this camaraderie has significantly enhanced the film’s creative process. Levy noted that their willingness to experiment and fail in front of each other led to innovative and inspired ideas. Jackman echoed this sentiment, expressing his excitement about exploring a different side of Wolverine while working with his close friends.
While specific plot details remain under wraps, the film is set to explore the contrasting personalities of Deadpool and Wolverine. Reynolds highlighted the intriguing overlap between the characters’ shame cycles and the juxtaposition of Deadpool’s playful nature with Wolverine’s stoic persona.
However, the production faced an unexpected halt due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, which joined the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike. This double strike forced a suspension of filming, threatening the planned May 2024 release. The strike underscores the broader industry issues, with calls for fair compensation and working conditions for writers and actors, highlighted by Disney CEO Bob Iger’s controversial remarks.
As the industry navigates these challenges, fans are urged to support the striking workers through donations and solidarity actions. The legacy of past production struggles during strikes serves as a reminder of the essential roles writers and actors play in creating beloved films like “Deadpool 3.” Despite the setbacks, the creative team remains hopeful for a resolution that will allow them to resume production and deliver a film that lives up to fan expectations.
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