The much-anticipated “Deadpool & Wolverine” made its splashy debut at Comic-Con, drawing hordes of Marvel enthusiasts who flocked to the convention for a surprise screening and a special panel.
The convention, renowned for celebrating pop culture, kicked off on Wednesday, with the spotlight on Thursday’s panel dedicated to the new film. Fans showcased their excitement by donning costumes and apparel featuring characters from the movie.
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, who reprise their roles as Deadpool and Wolverine, were joined by director Shawn Levy and Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige in the San Diego Convention Center’s iconic Hall H. To manage the crowd, organizers implemented a lottery system for ticket distribution, ensuring that the 6,000-seat venue was filled with eager fans who were treated to a full screening of the film. Reynolds humorously referred to the screening as the “worst kept secret on Earth,” acknowledging that fans had long speculated about seeing the entire movie.
Following the screening, the film’s team returned to the stage to express their gratitude. Feige described the experience as “the best movie experience of my life,” while Jackman called it “one of the most incredible experiences of my life.” Reynolds then welcomed several special guests—including Jennifer Garner, Dafne Keen, Channing Tatum, Chris Evans, and Wesley Snipes—who joined them on stage to enthusiastic applause. Feige hinted at the end of the event, likely alluding to Marvel’s tradition of post-credit scenes.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” marks the introduction of Reynolds and Jackman’s characters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with the film poking fun at Disney and Marvel’s MCU through various jokes in the trailer. The characters previously appeared in films produced under 21st Century Fox.
The release comes amid growing discussions about “superhero fatigue,” as audiences show waning interest in superhero films. Levy addressed this concern, emphasizing that the film is designed for entertainment without requiring extensive background knowledge. He wanted to ensure that the movie could be enjoyed without needing prior research into the characters’ lore.
Despite recent underperformances of Marvel films like “The Marvels” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” “Deadpool & Wolverine” is projected to open with around $160 million, potentially surpassing “Inside Out 2” for the year’s biggest opening. Positive reviews, Comic-Con enthusiasm, and an endorsement from Taylor Swift—who called it a “joy portal”—suggest that the film is poised for a major box-office success.
