As Marvel Studios continues expanding its interconnected cinematic universe across movies and Disney+ shows, some fans have bemoaned the “homework” required to fully understand all the moving parts. However, director Shawn Levy aims to make the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine an entertaining theatrical experience that won’t demand viewers study up on previous MCU entries.
“I was a good student in school. I’ll do my homework as an adult. But I am definitely not looking to do homework when I go to the movies,” Levy told the Associated Press. “This movie is built for entertainment, with no obligation to come prepared with prior research.”
The director acknowledges the film’s rabid fanbase possessing “peak fluency” in the Marvel mythology but stresses he “didn’t want to presume that” level of foreknowledge would be required. Instead, Deadpool & Wolverine will provide sufficient context for audiences to follow along.
Of course, the movie itself stems from complicated multiversal circumstances. The Time Variance Authority from the Disney+ series Loki will reportedly play a role in transporting Ryan Reynolds’ wisecracking Deadpool into the Marvel Cinematic Universe and pairing him with a previously unseen iteration of Hugh Jackman’s iconic Wolverine. Levy implies any necessary TVA explanations will be succinctly delivered.
While keeping things new viewer-friendly, the film will surely capitalize on nostalgia for the previous X-Men films as well. The latest trailer featured appearances from Lady Deathstrike and other classic X-villains, now working alongside the movie’s main antagonist Cassandra Nova, played by Emma Corrin.
Levy has been adamant in interviews that despite bringing back Jackman’s Wolverine, who was killed off in the 2017 film Logan, the new movie isn’t simply “Deadpool 3” but its own inventive buddy adventure. He describes the tone as “gnarly” and “funny,” highlighting the chance to pair the two iconic characters in their biggest roles yet.
With the freedom to craft a fresh, self-contained story blending the irreverent Deadpool humor with beloved X-Men lore, Deadpool & Wolverine seems poised to deliver a blockbuster crowd-pleaser this summer. Early test screenings have already left Levy confident in the film’s entertainment value, even for casual viewers.
While diehard Marvel fans will surely be hunting for Easter eggs and lore connections, Levy’s audience-first approach could make Deadpool & Wolverine a rare “no prerequisites required” entry point into the MCU when it hits theaters on July 26th.
