Is Deadpool 3 the Marvel Jesus?

 

Deadpool 3 dropped its much-awaited trailer during the Super Bowl on Sunday (02-11-2024). This is one of the most anticipated movies this year. Set to feature the dynamic duo of Hugh Jackman & Ryan Reynolds produced by Marvel Studios, Maximum Effort & distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Deadpool 3 is in continuation of the Deadpool Movie series. Deadpool 1 was released in 2016 & Deadpool 2 in 2018. Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds first shared the screen in the 2009 movie “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”.

In this film, Jack portrayed the iconic Marvel character Logan, also known as Wolverine, while Ryan Reynolds played Wade Wilson, a.k.a. Deadpool. It would be exciting to see both of them again.

However, amidst the anticipation lies a looming question: Can Deadpool, the antihero played by Reynolds, become a Messiah for Marvel?

While we all are excited for the movie to release, we doubt its performance owing to the ongoing failure of the Marvel Cinematic Movies. Can an Antihero like Deadpool be the Messiah for them?

Are Antiheroes gaining popularity?

Deadpool is a wisecracking mutant mercenary who is essentially the black sheep of the X-Men family. So why is that an Antihero character like Deadpool has gained so much popularity?

Over the years people felt that their heroes’ were being portrayed accurately and in a way they could still enjoy. The rise of Deadpool as a beloved character reflects a broader shift in audience preferences toward flawed, relatable protagonists.

Maybe with these Antihero characters, people can connect more with reality, unlike the so-called perfect superhero, who are paragons of virtue.

The decline in revenue of movies from Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Over the last couple of years, we have seen a considerable decline in the revenue for the Marvel Cinematic Universe Movies. In fact “The Marvels” movie starring Brie Larson is now officially the lowest-grossing installment in the history of Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The below chart illustrates the downward trajectory in revenue, signaling a need for reinvention within the Marvel universe.

(Source: https://www.the-numbers.com/)

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While there can be multiple reasons for this decline, one thing is for sure whatever the studio is trying to revive isn’t working out. The success of Deadpool stands in stark contrast to the recent struggles faced by the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Can Deadpool 3 be a Messiah/Jesus for Marvel?

In the trailer, Reynolds' character, Wade Wilson, cheekily proclaims himself as the "Marvel Jesus," When the agent in the trailer shows him some clips of probably a parallel universe, Wade says “Your little cinematic universe is about to change forever. I am the new Messiah; I am the Marvel Jesus”. 

This one statement says a lot about the ongoing struggles in the Marvel Universe to revive.

Deadpool’s character Wade Wilson is known for making such sarcastic comments in a silent humorous way. Deadpool's trademark sarcasm underscores a deeper truth: the studio's desperation for a resurgence.

Could Deadpool indeed be the messiah that Marvel needs?

As the franchise places its bets on the irreverent antihero, audiences await eagerly to witness whether Wade Wilson's antics can breathe new life into a cinematic universe in need of redemption.