I’ll admit that I thought theDeadpool & Wolverineopening scene was a bit disrespectful to Wolverine’s legacy after his emotional send-off inLogan, but knowing how Ryan Reynolds pitched the scene has belayed my criticism significantly.Deadpool and Wolverinepromised chaos, irreverence, and plenty of meta-humor, as the eponymousMarvelcharacters officially joinedthe MCU timeline. This was delivered in spades in the iconic opening sequence. The scene may seem outrageous on the surface, but the care with which it was crafted shows that Reynolds and the filmmakers were well aware of its implications.
TheDeadpool & Wolverineopening scene wastes no time making a statement. Deadpool digs up the grave of Wolverine, whose death inLoganmarked one of the most poignant moments in superhero cinema. With an air of gleeful disregard for emotional closure, Deadpool uses Wolverine’s adamantium skeleton as a weapon to fend off TVA agents pursuing him through a chaotic time-jumping adventure, all set to N-Sync’s “Bye, Bye, Bye.” Initially, this scene felt like a deliberate slap in the face toLogan, particularly followingDeadpool’s quote inDeadpool & Wolverine, which he pretty much claims as much.
Deadpool & Wolverine’s Opening Credits Logan Skeleton Scene Was Ryan Reynolds' Idea
The infamousDeadpool & Wolverineopening credits sequence wasn’t just a random gag - it came directly from Ryan Reynolds himself. InAssembled: The Making of Deadpool & Wolverine, director Shawn Levy shared how the idea came to life, andReynolds’ hesitancy in even suggesting it. Levy stated,“Ryan’s like, ‘I hate myself for the idea I’m about to pitch. I should use his body as a weapon.’”Despite his reservations, Reynolds pitched the idea, and it became one of the film’s most talked-about moments.
This insight into the creative process underscores the level of self-awareness that went into crafting the scene. Reynolds recognized how inherently disrespectful the concept was to the emotional resonance ofLogan. However, he also understood thatDeadpool’s character thrives on this kind of boundary-pushing humor. The acknowledgment of the scene’s audacity reflects a delicate balance between honoring Wolverine’s legacy and staying true to Deadpool’s gleefully chaotic energy.
I’m Relieved Ryan Reynolds Knew How Disrespectful The Scene Would Be To Logan
Reynolds’ comment about“hating himself”for pitching theDeadpool & Wolverinescene is telling. It reveals a deep awareness of the potential backlash from those who viewLoganas sacred ground. Despite the ridiculous premise, the filmmakers didn’t approach this scene flippantly - they knew exactly how sacrilegious it would seemto desecrate Wolverine’s grave for a laugh.
That self-awareness is crucial in ensuring the moment lands as a joke rather than a genuine dismissal of the character’s legacy. Rather than being a thoughtless gag, the scene reflects a respect forLoganby engaging with it directly. The filmmakersknew they had to address Wolverine’s deathto bring him back intoDeadpool & Wolverine, and precisely how they would navigate this was a major talking point.
10 Best Wolverine Quotes In Deadpool & Wolverine
Wolverine delivers some of the best dialogue of his history in Deadpool & Wolverine, with both revealing personal insights and surprising expletives.
Rather than shy away from it,Deadpool & Wolverineconfronted it head on, with Deadpool even commenting"How are we gonna do this without dishonoring Logan’s memory? And I’ll tell you how. We’re not.“By making the grave-digging sequence both ridiculous and self-aware, theysignal that they understand the importance ofLoganwhile also committing fully to Deadpool’s irreverent perspective.
Why Deadpool & Wolverine Gets Away With Disrespecting Logan’s Ending
Ultimately, theDeadpool & Wolverineopening scene works because italigns perfectly with Deadpool’s character. As the ultimate fourth-wall-breaking antihero, Deadpool has no respect for boundaries - emotional, narrative, or otherwise. His complete disregard for solemnity and reverence is a cornerstone of his humor, and using Wolverine’s skeleton as a weapon is the kind of outrageous gag only he could pull off. In this context, the moment doesn’t feel like a betrayal ofLoganso much as an extension of Deadpool’s chaotic ethos.
10 Most Impressive Displays Of Power In Deadpool & Wolverine
Deadpool & Wolverine depicts both heroes in all their glory, but several other powerful characters also appear, each flaunting their abilities.
It’s also worth noting that Wolverine himself, as portrayed inDeadpool & Wolverine, would have a few choice words about the grave-robbing incident. The tension between Deadpool’s irreverence and Wolverine’s seriousness is a core dynamic of their relationship, andthe scene sets the stage for their conflicting personalities to clashin a hilarious and heartfelt way. By fully leaning into Deadpool’s lack of decorum,Deadpool & Wolverinemanages to walk the line between comedy and respect, proving that Ryan Reynolds’ pitch wasn’t just a cheap joke - it was a carefully considered piece of storytelling.
Deadpool & Wolverine Couldn’t Have Avoided Logan’s Ending
While the decision to go all in on the wayDeadpool & WolverineaddressesLogancertainly leads to one of the more notable moments of the movie, it’s also one that the release couldn’t really avoid, due to the nature of both movies.To avoid mentioningLoganaltogether in the story that brings Hugh Jackman back after Wolverine’s 2017 movie death would have been to leave an elephant in the room perpetually- something all the more impossible to not notice given how much Deadpool addresses this exact kind of topic consistently in both the comics and movies.
Similarly, to only make a toned down reference also has its own share of issues, since Hugh Jackman’s appearance as a new variant of Wolverine would make any attempt to addressLogansubtly or in passing feel somewhat jarring. This means the decision to explore the aftermath ofLoganvia Deadpool desecrating the hero’s adamantium skeleton is arguably the wisest move, as a bold and direct approach both makesDeadpool & Wolverine’s intentions clear, and carries the trademark humor that helps Deadpool work so well and distinctively as a character.
Deadpool & Wolverineestablishes itself as bombastic and not afraid to enter territory that other superhero movies would give a wide berth from the very start of its story, and a big part of its success in doing so is the way it approachesLoganand its somber conclusion. Ryan Reynolds' pitch for the scene certainly helps to underline this, as it’s clear he also felt the scene needed to go the specific way that it did - a mindset that appears to have massively paid off based on the response to the movie.
Deadpool & Wolverine
Cast
A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
