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Superhero fans had ample reason to keep their eyes glued to the 2024 Super Bowl even if they care not for the games of mere mortals, because this was the only place to get a glimpse of the only Marvel Cinematic Universe movie coming out this year (well, until the teaser trailer hit the internet shortly thereafter). Not counting 2020, when many theaters were pandemic-closed for much of the year, there hasn’t been a normal year with just one MCU movie since 2012. What we’re saying is, in 2024, it’s all up to Deadpool. And also Wolverine.
Yes, this teaser also functioned as a title reveal: Deadpool 3 is actually called Deadpool & Wolverine, although you’ll have to wait until closer to the July 26, 2024 release date to actually see more than Wolverine’s back or shadow. What we can tell from this trailer matches up with various online rumors: Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), also known as the sketchy, mouthy, ultimately goodhearted superhero Deadpool, who previously existed in the continuity of the X-Men movies made by 20th Century Fox, gets a visit from the TVA – the Time Variance Authority seen in the MCU series Loki – who enlists him for some kind of multiverse-hopping mission.
Presumably this will bridge the gap between the MCU movies and the out-of-continuity Fox X-Men movies that became corporate siblings when Disney bought Fox a few years back. In addition to Hugh Jackman’s beloved Wolverine, cameos galore from past X-Men-and-more superhero movies have been reported online, and The Marvels, which just dropped on Disney+, includes a mid-credits cameo from Kelsey Grammer as Beast. Whether Deadpool & Wolverine will integrate this cast into the MCU or simply give them a final send-off won’t be certain until the movie drops this summer.
So continuity charts aside, how is the trailer itself?
To be honest, there aren’t a lot of especially memorable sights, gags, or sight gags in this teaser; it mostly just re-introduces Deadpool and repeatedly hints at his clash with Wolverine, supplemented by a handful of quips (the Merc with a Mouth considers himself “Marvel Jesus”) and violent poses. The presence of director Shawn Levy, who has made pseudo-Amblin movies with both Jackman (Real Steel) and Reynolds (The Adam Project), does not inspire great confidence.
On the other hand: At one point, Deadpool can be seen frolicking around what looks like a gigantic, wrecked Fox logo, and a bit of smarmy, R-rated insouciance will be a change of pace from the MCU usual.
It’s also fun to see fans online get excited about minor characters like Aaron Stanford’s Pyro (from X2 and X-Men: The Last Stand):
Though superhero movies have been in a box office slump lately, it’s impossible to imagine this one not making huge waves when it comes out. Deadpool & Wolverine hits theaters July 26, 2024. After that, no more MCU movies until next February at the earliest, and maybe the break will do everyone some good. (And there are better-than-decent odds that Deadpool will have something to say about that, too.)
Scroll up to watch the trailer.
Jesse Hassenger (@rockmarooned) is a writer living in Brooklyn. He’s a regular contributor to The A.V. Club, Polygon, and The Week, among others. He podcasts at www.sportsalcohol.com, too.
