Variants play a core role inDeadpool & Wolverinebut I’m shocked to learn that the bestMCUmontage scene nearly didn’t happen. For the vast majority of the movie, Hugh Jackman portrays “Worst Wolverine.” This is a variant from a universe in which the X-Men were eradicated by a mob of humans, causing him to kill the perpetrators before, it’s implied, he went too far and murdered innocents. This leads to Wolverine becoming an alcoholic with a particularly belligerent personality, unlike his slightly more amenablevariant in Deadpool’s Earth-10005.
Worst Wolverine isn’t the onlyvariant to appear inDeadpool & Wolverine, however. After Deadpool gets his hands on Paradox’s tempad, he proceeds to traverse universes ina hunt for a Wolverine variantto replace his universe’s anchor being, Logan. This sparks a montage to the tune of Huey Lewis and the News' “The Power of Love” featuring several Wolverine variants mostly portrayed by Jackman, although Henry Cavill’s “Cavillrine” certainly stood out. The entire scene is a highlight, which is why I’m shocked to learn that it almost never happened.
Deadpool & Wolverine’s Logan Variant Montage Wasn’t The Original Plan
Deadpool & Wolverine’s Editors Explained That They Didn’t Initially Have All The Necessary Pieces
Assembled: The Making of Deadpool & Wolverinereveals how Marvel’s billion-dollar movie was made through interviews and behind-the-scenes snippets. These interviews revealed such details as how the effigy of the Scarlet Witch made its way to the resistance hideout and Channing Tatum’s shock at wearing a comic-accurate Gambit costume. Nearly halfway through the featurette,Deadpool & Wolverineeditors, Shane Reid and Dean Zimmerman, also mentioned howthe Wolverine montage scene was nearly but a pipe dream, stating:
“When we put it together, it almost wanted to be this montage. But we didn’t have enough pieces to make it a montage. So it wasn’t until we showed Shawn like “here’s what we’re thinking”, and then all of a suddenly it’s like- well let’s get the John Byrne brown and tan costume, let’s get wolverine on the cross, let’s get the Cavillrine.”
Every Cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine Explained
Deadpool & Wolverine is packed to the brim with cameos from across the entire run of Marvel films, combining the numerous timelines together.
The editors go on to say thattheir intention was to display “deep cut” variants from Marvel Comics as a tribute to Wolverine’s biggest fans and his iconic legacy. They also express how accommodating Marvel Studios was in this effort, granting them access to the Hulk to replicate one of the most iconic comic book covers in Marvel history. It was a wise move from Marvel, as the entire scene helped to makeDeadpool & Wolverineas celebratedas it currently is.
Deadpool & Wolverine’s Variant Montage Ended Up Being One Of The Movie’s Best Scenes
It Fit The Narrative While Commemorating Wolverine’s Legacy
Deadpool & Wolverineis replete with iconic moments, with not one, but two tussles between the titular characters and the resistance against Cassandra Nova comprising beloved heroes from Marvel movies of yesteryear being standouts. It also started strong with Wolverine’s decimation of TVA agents and desecration of Logan’s corpse to the tune of NSYNC’s “Bye, Bye, Bye.” Yetthe Wolverine montage was an amalgamation of everything that madeDeadpool & Wolverineso great, comprising cameos, irreverence, action, fan service, and humor in the space of just a few minutes.
Reid and Zimmerman also revealed how obtaining the right to use “The Power of Love” was a hurdle for Marvel Studios in itself.
It also didn’t feel at all tacked on. While moments like the Wolverine montage can sometimes feel unnecessary, Deadpool’s jaunt through the multiverse was entirely warranted as he searched for a replacement anchor being. While I’m sure I’m not alone in wishing we could have seen a little more of the Cavillrine,it was also the perfect length of time to celebrate Wolverine’s legacy without feeling overstuffed.
It Was The Perfect Use Of The Multiverse
I do find it kind of ironic that Deadpool goes on to lambast the multiverse concept later in the movie so soon after proving its benefits with the Wolverine montage.The scene proves how the multiverse is perfect for commemorating the colorful histories of Marvel characterswithout going to extreme lengths to alter their characters entirely. Having the Logan of Earth-10005 adopt Wolverine’s Patch persona inFox’s X-Men movies, for instance, would have likely felt shoehorned and not entirely in keeping with his longstanding characterization throughout his cinematic career.
Ultimately,Deadpool & Wolverinewas the perfect example of how the multiverse provides a strong narrative tool, even when it is unashamedly used to indulge comic book fans.
I’m also heartened to hear how cooperative Marvel Studios has been throughout the creative process. While we were all expecting plenty of cameos, to see Hulk - even if only for a few short seconds - appear inDeadpool & Wolverinewas a moment akin to some of the best collaborations and cameos in the MCU’s history. Ultimately,Deadpool & Wolverinewas the perfect example of how the multiverse provides a strong narrative tool, even when it is unashamedly used to indulge comic book fans. I’m here for it, and I hope we see more.
Deadpool & Wolverine
Cast
A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
