“Deadpool & Wolverine” is Hugh Jackman’s return to a character who was killed off in 2017’s “Logan.” Of course, how Wolverine is alive for “Deadpool 3” probably isn’t the mystery viewers may think it is, as Jackman’s likely playing a variant of his hero. But like the previous version of the X-Man, this one is still clearly haunted by something in his past, and “Deadpool 3” won’t be solely jokes at his expense. There’s a real dramatic core to the film, and that’s probably another big reason why Wolverine breaking the fourth wall just wouldn’t work.
How could the audience take Wolverine’s turmoil seriously if Jackman cracked a joke about how he’s only back because he got paid a ton of money? Shawn Levy explained elsewhere in the Vanity Fair piece that Jackman truly brought it for his big return. “Hugh’s performance gives the movie a gravitas and a raw, soulful quality that is unbelievable, and I can’t say much more without spoiling it,” Levy said. Of course, it’s also bound to lead to even more comedy, as Ryan Reynolds’ wacky Deadpool treats Wolverine as the straight man in their comedy duo.
Wolverine should get ample screen time alongside the Merc with a Mouth, considering he’s name-checked in the film’s title. Plus, it’s not like Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine was ever a barrel of laughs in the first place, so he doesn’t really need to make jokes this time around, lest audiences believe he’s acting out of character. Fans are apparently ecstatic to see Jackman back with the claws, as “Deadpool & Wolverine” is already tracking to bring in over $200 million in its opening weekend. That’s enough money to make even Wolverine smile.
