“Iconic”: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Shawn Levy, Emma Corrin, Rob Delaney and Wendy Jacobson on Deadpool & Wolverine

Hugh Jackman makes his highly anticipated, and somewhat unexpected (even to himself), return as Wolverine to form the ultimate bromance with Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool.

Having played the character for over 24 years, Jackman claimed, “I meant what I said when I said “I’m done,” so what caused the change of heart? “The money,” Jackman joked. “I announced [my retirement from Wolverine] and three days after I saw the first Deadpool, and 15 minutes into the movie, I said, ‘Whoops.’ I could see how these two characters would work.”

Shawn Levy talked through the process of directing a story that is character-anchored by two personalities that are larger than life, “When these guys step onto set, in the yellow, in the red, they become iconic.” The trio bounce off one another both on-screen and off-set, Levy having already worked closely with Reynolds on Free Guy and The Adam Project, as well as with Jackman making Real Steel.

Reynolds elaborated on the bond the three had made working together, “I don’t mean to sound esoteric about it, or too sappy about it, but we really feel like the three of us loved each other into this moment, and the way this movie turned out, it’s one of those rare experiences which comes across even better on screen.”

Reynolds also spoke to how it felt to step back inside the spandex for the third instalment, “It’s straight clown-work. Your hands, your voice, your mannerisms, the slightest movement, the largest movement, they’re all basically conveying my facial expressions that I can’t use.” Though dressed head-to-toe in latex and leather, Reynolds says he’s “never felt freer when I’m under that mask (…), I really love it and I don’t take it for granted.”

Emma Corrin also explained the importance of costume in her role as Cassandra Nova Xavier. “I had this bald cap and prosthetic fingers. Once I had the fingers on, from that point there was literally nothing I could do. I couldn’t even go to the bathroom alone, it was humbling. But it’s super important, especially in this role, as all of Cassandra’s power comes through, if not her mind, her gesture.”

Although Reynolds disproved the rumour that King Charles was set to appear in the movie, director Levy promised there are cameos “peppered throughout”. He also confirmed that the Marvel film features “a lot of characters”, like the resurrected Peter (Rob Delaney). Yet audiences will also meet some new cast members, like Dogpool.

The movie is the first Deadpool film to be released under Disney following the company’s acquisition of Fox, which made Reynolds’s first two R-rated Deadpool movies, a fact which is humorously acknowledged using Deadpool’s signature breaking of the fourth wall and cheeky asides. It’s fair to say, Disney didn’t have a chance at reigning in the film’s raunchy humour, and for that reason, it has the potential to be the best Deadpool yet.

Watch the full press conference here:

Olivia Gardener

Deadpool & Wolverine is released nationwide on 25^th July 2024.

Watch the trailer for Deadpool & Wolverine here: