It’s kind of unbelievable that Ryan Reynolds pitched 19 different ideas forDeadpool 3before he andMarvelfinally settled onDeadpool & Wolverine. It goes without saying that the immensesuccess ofDeadpool & Wolverineis proof that the correct decisions were ultimately made. After a significant run in theaters,Deadpool & Wolverineended up grossing $1.3 billion worldwide, making it one of thehighest-grossing superhero moviesever made, and breaking the record for the highest-grossing R-rated movie - an accolade previously held byJoker.
It’s no real surprise, of course. Money-spinning nostalgia was decidedly piqued by Wolverine’s starring role alone but certainly spurred further by the myriadcameos inDeadpool & Wolverine. I find it crazy to think that this success was thanks to Hugh Jackman’s epiphany while on holiday, leading to a call with Reynolds in which Jackman expressed his enthusiasm for making what he called a “Wolverine & Deadpool” movie. Before this fateful call, Reynolds and other Deadpool filmmakers were in the process of pitchingDeadpool 3ideas to Disney.
Deadpool & Wolverine’s Behind The Scenes Reveals Reveal How Many Ideas Ryan Reynolds Has For Deadpool 3
Ryan Reynolds Proves That He Is An “Ideas Machine”
Assembled: The Making of Deadpool & Wolverinewas released on Disney+ alongsideDeadpool & Wolverineand shows how the threequel materialized through behind-the-scenes snippets and interviews with filmmakers. Ryan Reynolds and Executive Producer Wendy Jacobson were among those interviewed, with the latter revealing that, during the pitching process,she believed “Ryan had 19-20 ideas, throwing anything at the wall.” While Reyolds' passion for the character and his franchise makes me inclined to believe her - I think the fact that he pitched this many is wild.
Kevin Feige also mentions in the documentary that Ryan Reynolds is “an ideas machine.”
It’s unclear how many pitches are normal fora new MCU movie, butfor Reynolds to have circled even the lower end of that estimation is a testament to his dedication. As these pitches were made for the first Deadpool movie to be officially part of the MCU and Disney’s official lineup, there would have no doubt been added pressure to ensure the character could suitably assimilate. Then again, Reynolds' own comments about the many ideas suggest that he really was throwing everything at the wall.
What Ryan Reynolds Has Said About His Deadpool 3 Pitches
Ryan Reynolds Pitched Movies Of All Sizes
In his interview, Ryan Reynolds mentioned just one of the ideas he had in the earliest stages ofDeadpool 3’s development: a $4 million Sundance-style movie that would feature Deadpool in his suit but no action sequences. He also mentions that, in addition to the toned-down Sundance movie,he pitched more small-to-mid-sized movies that were obviously far more understated thanDeadpool & Wolverine, which was reportedly made with a $200 million budget according toThe Numbers. Reynolds then states that he felt like he’d “run the gamut” after each of his pitches, clarifying that he blamed himself and not Disney for their failure.
Wendy Jacobson, meanwhile, added two more ideas that the pair had floated after rediscovering notes from the process. These includeda movie that would essentially be aThor: The Dark Worldremake before pivoting to another story halfway through and a “Deadpool’s Deleted Scenes Extravaganza"in which it would have been revealed that Deadpool was present throughoutthe MCU’s main timelineall along. Considering Reynolds had exhausted so many unused ideas, the featurette makes me feel as thoughDeadpool & Wolverinewas destined - especially after Jackman revealed he felt the impulse to call Reynolds at such a crucial moment.
Deadpool & Wolverine’s Final Story Plan Is Even More Impressive With All The Unused Ideas In Mind
Deadpool & Wolverine Ended Up Being The Best Possible Result
The serendipity of Jackman’s call is one thing - but the fact thatDeadpool & Wolverinewas the final product after Reynolds had “run the gamut” on so many others now feels even more impressive. While it’s true that the many cameos and moments of fan service had a huge part to play in the movie’s success, and even prompted derision from certain critics, there’s no denying thatthe movie stands on its own merits. The movie was the perfect love letter to the Marvel movies of yesteryear and integrated Deadpool and Wolverine into the MCU perfectly.
On the contrary, knowing now that Reynolds' ideas have gone from strength to strength makes me wonder if all of his other ideas should be given another chance now that he’s officially part of the MCU.
I’m not suggesting that Reynolds' deleted scene extravaganza and Sundance movie shouldn’t be given a chance down the line, however (though perhaps these would work best as bits within a larger movie). On the contrary, knowing now that Reynolds' ideas have gone from strength to strength makes me wonder if all of his other ideas should be given another chance now that he’s officially part of the MCU. Only time will tellwhen Deadpool will next appear - but afterDeadpool & Wolverine’s incredible success, I’m willing to bet we won’t have to wait long.
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.
