MarvelBlog News for July 7th, 2024

We are less than three weeks away from Deadpool & Wolverine.

As the release date approaches, Marvel shows off more of the film, while the press tour begins in earnest.

This week’s events started in Shanghai, China, but we’ve got a little bit of everything in the latest edition of MarvelBlog News!

Deadpool 3 Tracking Slows

Last month, I discussed the early tracking for Deadpool 3, which suggested that the film could open to $240 million.

Now that we’re three weeks out, the “more accurate” tracking has been released.

When I say it’s more accurate, that’s like calling daily horoscopes plausible. Little of this stuff is ever correct.

Keeping that in mind, the tracking is no longer as glowing about Deadpool 3, although it’s definitely not any cause for concern.

The recently released tracking data from one service suggested a $160 million opening weekend.

Meanwhile, another one believes that $200 million remains in the cards for the MCU film.

Either amount would represent the biggest R-rated opening weekend ever.

So, I’m confident that Marvel would happily take either one, and its owner, Disney, is feeling no pain anyway.

Pixar’s Inside Out 2 just crossed $1 billion and is pacing to be a top five performer since 2020.

Disney already claims the number one film of the year, and it’s likely to have the other biggie with Deadpool 3.

Overall, the news is quite glowing, although there is some curiosity regarding why the film lost $40+ million in tracking.

The answer nobody likes is that box office tracking is woefully inaccurate.

No matter what happens with Deadpool & Wolverine, it won’t be for lack of trying, though.

In fact, the film’s two stars and director are currently participating in a world tour.

First Stop, Shanghai!

When director Shawn Levy and actor Hugh Jackman agreed to make the movie, they accepted that it would require heavy marketing.

Nobody could honestly state that Levy, Jackman, and their friend, Ryan Reynolds, are failing in their task.

The three of them spent the July 4^th holiday week in Shanghai, China, which Reynolds revealed in a series of pictures.

Shanghai was the first stop on the #DeadpoolAndWolverine tour — and we thank you from the heart of our bottom. What a city and what a welcome. ⚔️🇨🇳⚔️ pic.twitter.com/xIBNioWjw4

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) July 3, 2024

This trio displayed 35-40 minutes of footage from Wolverine 3, enough to heighten expectations without risking piracy concerns.

Then, they jetted off to Seoul, Korea, for a professional baseball game and other publicity events.

Wasn’t expecting to be in this beautiful ballpark watching baseball in Seoul, Korea. But it happened. No take backs. ⚔️🇰🇷⚔️ #DeadpoolAndWolverine pic.twitter.com/0uDS80kyiC

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) July 3, 2024

Also, Reynolds apparently volunteered Jackman to join a K-Pop band as the only member.

As they say in Seoul: Chk Chk Boom! @RealHughJackman @Stray_Kids #DeadpoolAndWolverineWorldTour pic.twitter.com/4MXUsctEfV

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) July 5, 2024

These people like one another and are clearly having a best, and their impending success will reinforce this point.

As a reminder, Disney has NEVER released an R-rated film. Deadpool & Wolverine will be the first.

Given that the success of the film is already assured, this is a fascinating turn of events all around.

We’re seeing hints that Reynolds is about to become a key part of the MCU as well.

The character will stomp all over established MCU tropes and years of intricate plot details.

If you don’t believe me, here’s a picture of Deadpool taking a selfie with a dead TVA agent.

Deadpool taking a selfie with a TVA agent 🤳😂#DeadpoolAndWolverine pic.twitter.com/UMnq7WQVuD

— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) July 4, 2024

EW just posted a detailed article regarding all the ways Deadpool will change the MCU, if you’re interested.

Meanwhile, Deadline questioned EW’s accuracy on one topic. The latter publication swore that Taylor Swift isn’t in the film.

A recent Ryan Reynolds post has reopened that can of worms. Who is right and wrong? We’ll find out in three weekends!

Marvel Miscellany

Speaking of EW, the publication has confirmed the longstanding rumor that What If…? will end with season three.

Now, when I say it’ll end, I mean that in the same way that X-Men: The Animated Series finished in 1997.

Nothing is ever truly dead in Hollywood. However, Marvel will apparently walk away from these characters next year.

Since the production team knows this in advance, What If…? will include a satisfying conclusion that finishes the story of The Watcher.

A Marvel executive describes the story as the “completion of a trilogy” and adds the following.

“It takes us to places that you’d never expect. It goes beyond the first two seasons in its exploration of the multiverse.

It pulls in characters that are very unexpected, and has what I think is an extremely moving and very fulfilling culmination for Uatu the Watcher”

So, we’ve got the heartbreak of What If…? ending, but we’ve also got the joy of a fitting finish for an excellent series.

Speaking of great shows, Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio performed a joint appearance at Fan Expo Boston 2024.

During their conversation, the two actors described their happiness with Daredevil: Reborn.

“Here’s what I’ll say. Marvel had been incredibly open-minded and willing to correct course, and incredibly supportive.

Early on, we were trying something that was a bit different, and very quickly, they were able to identify that that wasn’t maybe working as well as it could’ve done.

And, where we are now, I think I can speak for both of us when I say we feel very, very happy.”

That’s very encouraging to hear.

Marvel Miscellany Part Two

I mentioned last time that Thunderbolts has finished filming.

As part of saying goodbye, actor David Harbour posted a picture and a message about the film.

The message is “Wrapped. Loved making this. Love the ‘bolts. #thunderbolts* #redguardian”

The picture shows a classic Captain America riff on heroism, but it’s an image of Red Guardian in Russia instead. Very clever!

Finally, Empire Online published the other image of the week.

This one shows Agatha Harkness and her coven, but that’s something of a misnomer.

The core conceit is that this group of witches is coven-less. So, they start their own.

As an aside, Kathryn Hahn will guest host Jimmy Kimmel Live later this summer.

During her appearance, she’ll interview at least one cast member from Agatha All Along. So, that should be newsworthy, too.

 

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