Summary
Marvel Studios might already have the perfect solution to a major problem that comes with bringing an R-ratedDeadpoolinto theMCUproper. Given Deadpool’s violence, profanity, and mature nature in Marvel Comics, the only way to accurately depict him on-screen would be with an R-rating. This has proven itself incredibly effective inRyan Reynolds' live-action appearances as Deadpool, as 2016’sDeadpooland 2018’sDeadpool 2are two of the most popular installments of 20th Century Fox’sX-Menfranchise. However, this presents an issue when bringing Deadpool into the MCU.
Marvel Studios has always stressed the MCU’s family-friendly nature, but this will change with therelease of 2024’sDeadpool & Wolverine. As the franchise’s first R-rated movie,Deadpool & Wolverinewill continue the best elements of Ryan Reynolds' previous adventures in his first standalone MCU story. This will also mark the secondR-rated appearance of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, who previously let loose in 2017’sLogan. When introducing Deadpool into the wider franchise, however, Marvel Studios needs to be careful to make the Merc with a Mouth appropriate for the MCU’s usual audience.
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R-Rated
Deadpool’s PG-13 Release Shows How The MCU Can Approach The Hero
Luckily, Marvel Studios already has the perfect solution to Deadpool’s R-rated problem when introducing him into the wider world of the MCU. Following the release ofDeadpool 2, Fox re-released the movie for a PG-13 audience, retitledOnce Upon a Deadpool.Once Upon a Deadpoolremoved most of the violence and cursingthat makes Deadpool’s live-action stories so entertaining for more mature audiences, but this allowed Fox to cater the Merc with a Mouth to a younger crowd, and Deadpool used his own censorship button to ensure the movie stuck to its strict PG-13 regulations.
While little of the actual movie was changed, bar the removal of several violent moments, Deadpool used a censorship button to bleep out curse words and inappropriate moments shared between himself and Fred Savage. Recreating scenes fromThe Princess Bride, having Deadpool read the story ofDeadpool 2to a now-adult Fred Savage, allowedOnce Upon a Deadpoolto be broken up into clear, entertaining segments.This allowed Deadpool to use his censorship button several times, and Marvel Studios could bring back this device in future MCU crossover projects featuring the Merc with a Mouth.
Once Upon A Deadpool: Every Change In The PG-13 Version (& Why It’s Worse)
Once Upon A Deadpool cleans up the gore and potty mouth of Deadpool 2, but does it work as a standalone movie or is it simply a gimmick?
Deadpool Can’t Always Be R-Rated In The MCU (But Can Still Stay True To Himself)
Deadpool’s solo MCU projects, kicking off with 2024’sDeadpool & Wolverine, will surely be R-rated, but if Deadpool appears in future crossover movies, such as theAvengersprojects in Phase 6, he needs to be edited to fit a PG-13 rating. It will be something of a shock to see Deadpool taking part in non-R-rated movies, but this will cement him as a clear part of the wider franchise. While this means that Deadpool won’t always be R-rated in the MCU, bringing back the censorship button fromOnce Upon a Deadpoolis the perfect solution.
Having Deadpool equipped with his censorship button will create the opportunity for some hilarious moments of interaction between the Merc with a Mouth and the MCU’s pre-established PG-13 superheroes.Deadpool will be able to stay true to himself while engaging with the family-friendly tones of the MCU, and this could also raise excitement for the hero’s solo movies. Ryan Reynolds' future solo movies in the MCU could also see him teaming up with other heroes, allowing unexpected characters to play in an R-rated world alongsideDeadpool.
