Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, the iconic stars, made their triumphant return to the silver screen in Marvel Studios' groundbreaking first R-rated feature, which premiered with a grandiose splendor in New York City on Monday. It marks a triumphant reunion of over a decade since they first introduced Deadpool and Wolverine to the world in the critically acclaimed yet flawed X-Men: Origins - Wolverine. Now, the dynamic duo is giving their beloved characters a buddy movie that they deserve.
The star-studded premiere in New York was attended by Reynolds and Jackman, who walked the red carpet with much enthusiasm and fanfare. The nationwide press also got to witness the film's first full screenings, with early reactions flooding social media, preceding the official critics' reviews set to be released on Tuesday. (Scroll down to witness the overwhelming responses.)
Amidst the glitz and glamour of the premiere, NSYNC made a surprise appearance, adding a dash of nostalgia and excitement for the attendees. The film is expected to make a colossal domestic debut this weekend, surpassing the $165 million mark, potentially becoming the biggest R-rated opening in history.
The directorial wizardry of frequent Reynolds collaborator Shawn Levy brought Deadpool & Wolverine to life, while Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and Zeb Wells collaborated on the script. Emma Corrin stars as the formidable antagonist, and the film boasts a stellar cast of familiar faces from the Deadpool and Wolverine universe, including Dafne Keen, who portrayed Wolverine's daughter, Laura, in Logan (2017).
The journey to the big screen for this feature was a long and arduous one. 20th Century Fox's Deadpool emerged as a surprise hit in 2016, catapulting Reynolds and the anti-hero into the stratosphere of success. Its sequel, Deadpool 2, followed suit two years later, but the third installment faced numerous challenges, taking six years to finally hit the theaters due to the complexities of 20th Century Fox's acquisition by Disney. This monumental event not only gave Marvel Studios access to the Deadpool and X-Men characters but also marked the studio's foray into R-rated territory.
The premiere sets the tone for the upcoming San Diego Comic-Con panel for the film on Thursday, as well as Marvel's Saturday evening panel, where fans are eagerly anticipating a glimpse into the future of Marvel's cinematic universe, including Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts.
