With Disney's mega-acquisition of Fox, the future of the Fox-owned Marvel franchises is in serious question. Along with the Fantastic Four and the X-Men, the prospect of Deadpool being brought into the hyper-successful Disney-owned Marvel Cinematic Universe (or MCU) is a hazy one at best, with some insiders claiming a Deadpool threequel is a sure thing, and others claiming Disney isn't planning one at all.
One thing we're sure of, if the R-Rated superhero is brought into the PG-13 MCU, changes are definitely going to have to be made. The concept was toyed with in the PG-13 Once Upon A Deadpool, but we have yet to see a non-R-rated Deadpool movie built from the ground-up. Here are 5 of those changes that will have to make, along with 5 aspects of the Deadpool movies that will have to remain the same.
CHANGE: Swearing
They don't call him the Merc With A Mouth for nothing. In his first two movies, Deadpool makes full use of the R-rating, dropping a total of 84 F-bombs in the first movie alone. With him moving under Disney's more family-friendly banner, this aspect will definitely have to be toned down.
The movie will likely have to find a creative way to make his lack of a foulmouth work within the story, such as Deadpool self-referencing quit swearing or some fourth-wall-breaking censorship. Either way, they'll be limited to a single F-bomb for Wade (or someone else) to drop. They better use it right.
STAY THE SAME: Meta Humour
One seriously unique aspect of Deadpool that makes him stand out as a hero is his special talent to break the fourth wall and acknowledge the fact that he's a comic book character in a movie. He hilariously speaks to the audience, making pop-culture jokes and even cracks wise at the expense of Ryan Reynolds himself.
Just think of the possibilities, Ryan Reynolds coming into the MCU and referencing the actors playing the roles around him, pointing out the similarities between Cable and Thanos, or even buying an MCU box set and watching the movies to catch up on current events. The comedy potential is real.
CHANGE: Violence
Another difference from the R-rated Deadpool and most other superhero movies is the gratuitous violence Deadpool disperses to his foes. While The Wolverine, Logan, Watchmen, and Wesley Snipes' Blade movies have utilized the violent potential of the R-rating to its full potential, not a single one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies have even come close to that level of violence.
Bringing Deadpool into the MCU would seriously limit his sword-swinging potential.
STAY THE SAME: Powers
Superhero fans are very possessive over the comic accuracy of the characters they follow, for better or for worse. Captain America has his shield, Wolverine his claws, and Deadpool has his swords and healing factor. Deadpool's healing factor, speed, and skill with his weapons are integral to his personality and story arcs.
No matter what Disney decides to do with Deadpool, there's no way they're going to change anything about his superhero capabilities.
CHANGE: X-Men Tie-Ins
The future of the X-Men franchise as a whole is one of the scariest things to think about for comic book fans. While the movies were very hit-or-miss, many of them hold a special place in the audience's hearts, especially due to the cast.
This is what's going to make changing Deadpool's involvement in the MCU so complicated, as his movies are very referential to the X-Men, even involving a cameo from the cast of X-Men: Apocalypse. That will all be set to change, as the X-Men don't yet exist in the MCU.
STAY THE SAME: Supporting Cast
While the Deadpool movies are great as solo outings, they also have a fantastic supporting cast. From lovable cabbie Dopinder to infinitely lucky Domino, and from anti-villain Cable to the entirety of the now-deceased X-Force, and X-Men members Colossus, Yukio, and Negasonic Teenage Warhead.
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Hopefully, Deadpool is able to bring most of the cast back, as they have become as integral to the success of the movies as Deadpool himself is. Bonus points if they bring Blind Al into the MCU and have her interact with Daredevil.
CHANGE: Except T.J. Miller
One seriously unlikely return is T.J. Miller as Weasel. Serving as Deadpool's best friend and sidekick, Weasel gives a handful of very funny and off-beat lines that add levity to some of the movie's more serious moments.
However, T.J. Miller has proven himself to be problematic as of late, leading to the franchise distancing themselves from him, and his removal from plans to return for sequels. It's especially unlikely he'll be welcome under the Disney banner.
STAY THE SAME: Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick
They're not the most recognizable names, but these two writers have as much to do with the success of the Deadpool movies as anyone. They wrote both movies, perfectly weaving in Deadpool's signature humor, fourth-wall breaks, and plenty of action in a story that keeps audiences interested.
They also work well enough with Ryan Reynolds, putting any ego aside and letting him co-write the second movie and being asked to come on set for filming. The Deadpool films' success is very much thanks to these two, and audiences would be let down with anyone else taking the reins.
CHANGE: Timeline & Universe
While the X-Men franchise as a whole hasn't been perfectly straightforward in terms of its timelines, the existence of the Deadpool movies throws several more wrenches into it. The MCU certainly isn't short of plot devices that can bring the universes and timelines together.
No matter what route they take, Marvel will definitely have to change things up. Whether the X-Men are involved, reality-bending Doctor Strange, or the Infinity Stones, it's up to Kevin Feige and the team to decide.
STAY THE SAME: Ryan Reynolds
Even after only two appearances (X-Men Origins: Wolverine does NOT count), Ryan Reynolds is as inseparable from the role of Wade Wilson as Robert Downey Jr. from Iron Man or Hugh Jackman from Wolverine. From the first time we saw him in that "accidentally" leaked test footage, Marvel fans knew Reynolds was a perfect Deadpool.
At this point, the idea of him not being Deadpool, or someone else donning the costume is unthinkable. If Marvel did try it, it would cause a fan revolt, so it's unlikely anyone other than Ryan Reynolds will be our Deadpool. That is if the movie ever gets made.
NEXT: Marvel's New Phase 4 Slate: Ever MCU Movie Release (2020-2022)