Despite being the third Deadpool film, the highly anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine is not Deadpool 3, director Shawn Levy has said.
Speaking to Screen Rant, Levy made clear the titular Wolverine isn't just an accessory to the adventures of Deadpool but that the incoming film is "a two-hander character adventure". It's unclear exactly how much the film will acknowledge what's come before for either character as both are incorporated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but Levy is adamant it works as a standalone entry.
"As far as crafting the Deadpool & Wolverine story, I just felt privileged every day because you're talking about two massive movie stars in their most iconic roles," he said.
"It also gave me an opportunity. It's the third Deadpool movie, but it's not Deadpool 3. It's a different thing that's very much Deadpool & Wolverine. And it's not trying to copycat anything from the first two movies. They were awesome, but this is a two-hander character adventure."
The film will feature much more than just these two, however, as it sees the pair take on all manner of baddies from Marvel multiverse history.
It therefore promises plenty of cameos. "What blew my mind also is how easy some of those cameos have been," director Shawn Levy said in 2023. "People love Deadpool. People love Ryan [Reynolds]. Thankfully, people also seem to like my work. They know that Ryan and I are in a groove of creative brotherhood that is unique and seems to be working."
Wolverine's look in the film was more recently revealed through a soda cup of all things, showing star Hugh Jackman in the classic comic book outfit for the first time. Nine minutes of raunchy footage was also shown at CinemaCon 2024, making clear Deadpool & Wolverine is just as R-rated as the first two films despite it noy officially being the third.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.
source https://www.ign.com/articles/deadpool-wolverine-isnt-deadpool-3-director-shawn-levy-says