Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman Reflect on Wolverine’s MCU Journey and Deadpool’s Humor

Inside the irreverent heart of Deadpool & Wolverine with the stars and director.

A team crafted the unique blend of irreverent comedy and emotional stakes in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” They truly understand what fans crave. At a recent Critics Choice Awards press conference, director Shawn Levy and stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman opened up about the film. They discussed the challenges and triumphs of blending Wolverine’s storied history with Deadpool’s disruptive antics. The trio also talks about working within the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). You can read our review here!

Keeping It True While Surprising Fans

The challenge of blending iconic characters with larger MCU storylines was a major theme in the film’s development. Levy described the process as balancing “big picture and character-based intimacy.” For Reynolds, it was about keeping fans on their toes: “When Deadpool enters the MCU, people configure that he’s going to interact with characters like Thor. But we thought, why not reintroduce Wolverine in a way that honors his character while surprising everyone?”

Jackman, who has embodied Wolverine for over two decades. He praised his co-stars for the respect and nuance they brought to the character. “I’ve never felt that level of care before,” he remarked. He felt that both Reynolds and Levy aimed not just to deliver laughs, but also to honor Wolverine’s legacy with depth and precision, something he described as “making the character exist on a deeper, more nuanced level than ever before.”

Tapping Into the MCU’s Legacy

The film is packed with cameos, but these were far from throwaway additions. As Reynolds put it, they were “supporting characters with a beginning, middle, and end,” allowing classic Marvel figures like Blade, Elektra, and Gambit to return in meaningful ways. “It was always going to be about legacy and redemption,” Levy explained. From the onset, the team wanted to give certain characters, like Wesley Snipes’ Blade and Jennifer Garner’s Elektra, the chance to leave their mark, emphasizing the importance of offering “a grace note” to characters who might have felt unfinished in past films.

Levy’s approach to introducing these legacy characters was deeply considered. Rather than a quick, crowd-pleasing cameo, each character was meticulously worked into the script to align with the film’s themes. Reynolds’ direct outreach approach, bypassing agents and pitching ideas personally to the actors, added a layer of authenticity and trust. “To have Wesley [Snipes] sign on felt like finding gold,” he said, underscoring the excitement for fans and creators alike.

Variant Wolverines and the “Cavillrine”

During the press conference, I asked Jackman about his favorite Wolverine variant in the film. I also asked about his reaction to the idea of a “Cavillrine” variant inspired by actor Henry Cavill. “The moment I heard that idea, I thought it was genius,” Jackman shared. One variant in particular, the classic brown-and-tan Wolverine costume from the John Byrne comic series, stood out as a favorite. He also reminisced about playing a shorter, comic-accurate version of Wolverine, laughing, “The comic-accurate short king! That just made me laugh so hard.”

The shoot was challenging, with Jackman recalling scenes where he donned a loincloth amid London’s chill, surrounded by “2000 purple skulls.” Despite the discomfort, he described the experience as a realization of a long-held dream, inspired by the many Wolverine trading cards he had collected from the first X-Men film. Reynolds noted that Jackman’s “Patch” variant was even filmed in a location used for a James Bond movie, adding to the sense of iconic nostalgia.

Pushing Boundaries, with One-Line Off-Limits in Deadpool & Wolverine

I also asked if there were any gags or stunts that pushed boundaries. Reynolds noted that Marvel and Disney were surprisingly supportive. “They gave us control of this movie, and I think people sometimes think of control as this ugly word, but it’s actually trust,” he said. However, one line did cross the line for Disney CEO Bob Iger, who requested its removal. Reynolds initially hesitated but ultimately agreed, taking weeks to find a suitable replacement. Levy teased that they’d take the original line “to our graves.”

Another instance where they self-censored involved Deadpool’s sharp critique of the Honda Odyssey’s entertainment system. Reynolds admitted, “I just arbitrarily picked the Honda Odyssey,” laughing about the running joke. For Levy, the car’s reference became a comedic addition, even if some lines about it were ultimately cut from the final script.

Iconic Costumes and Long-Awaited Team-Ups

One of the film’s defining moments was Jackman’s debut in Wolverine’s classic yellow suit. It was a choice that was more than just fan service. “It was one of our first decisions,” Reynolds revealed. The suit symbolized a return to Wolverine’s roots, bringing authenticity and nostalgia. Another iconic costume choice was Channing Tatum’s Gambit, an idea that had been percolating in Hollywood for over a decade. “To finally see Gambit in his full comic-accurate regalia, rocked by Tatum, was magic,” Levy added, crediting special effects and costume designer Bill Corso.

A particularly poignant scene finds Deadpool and Wolverine standing on subway tracks as Reynolds’ Deadpool confesses, “I waited a long time for this team up.” This line, Levy noted, expressed the sentiments of both characters and actors alike, encapsulating the sense of fulfillment in bringing these characters together at last.

Crafting Comedy with Depth

While known for his comedic chops, Reynolds underscored the importance of balancing humor with depth, ensuring that the film didn’t devolve into a series of one-liners. “Comedies work best when they’re immersed in drama. They need each other to sustain tension,” he said, adding that his approach to Deadpool’s humor was always rooted in creating empathy and connection rather than simply mocking.

For Levy, orchestrating the humor to land within the MCU’s larger structure was a challenge. “Comedy and drama both rely on tension. The audience had to believe that, beneath the laughs, the stakes were real,” he explained. Jackman’s take on Deadpool’s humor was equally enlightening, sharing that Deadpool never “punches down” and always redirects the humor to himself or Wolverine, avoiding any sense of malice or mockery toward other characters.

Music: The Unexpected Backbone

The film’s iconic music choices played a pivotal role, adding depth to the action and humor. The soundtrack features Madonna’s “Like a Prayer,” which was integral to a single-shot action scene, influenced by iconic long takes like the hallway scene from “Oldboy.” Reynolds and Levy admitted they had to personally visit Madonna to gain her blessing to use the song, adding a touch of levity to their shared passion for the musical elements that define the film. “That was a wild evening,” Reynolds laughed, “but it ended up defining the orchestral arrangement.”

The NSYNC song “Bye Bye Bye” also stands out in a memorable fight scene. Originally one of 30 potential songs, its lyrics and infectious beat made it a runaway hit in the edit room. “It was like lightning in a bottle,” Reynolds noted, acknowledging that the song set the perfect tone for the violent, chaotic action that unfolded to its playful rhythm.

Fan Reactions and Theatrical Magic

For all three, seeing fans’ ecstatic reactions has been a career highlight. “Reaction videos are everything,” Jackman shared, noting that watching fans respond to key scenes was like experiencing the theater’s immediacy in a cinema setting. The emotional investment of the audience—finding moments to cheer, laugh, and gasp—was crucial in cementing the film’s success.

The team also embraced the value of shared viewing experiences, which feel more significant in the theater. Reynolds spoke passionately about the importance of theatrical releases. “You get a babysitter, drive to the theater, and invest emotionally and financially. That creates a stronger bond with the story and characters.” Levy echoed this sentiment, adding that the communal experience of laughter and excitement is something streaming can’t replicate.

A Love Letter to Fans

Throughout, Levy, Reynolds, and Jackman emphasized that “Deadpool & Wolverine” was a labor of love crafted for fans who have followed these characters for years. The film’s blend of humor, legacy, and innovation created what Reynolds described as “collective effervescence.” It’s a testament to the emotional power of well-crafted cinema that bridges the gap between nostalgia and fresh storytelling.

“Deadpool & Wolverine” isn’t just another superhero film—it’s a celebration of what makes Marvel’s characters resonate across generations. For fans and creators alike, the film marks a long-awaited and deeply satisfying collaboration. And as Jackman quipped, “This is for everyone who ever dreamed of seeing Wolverine and Deadpool together on the big screen.”

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