Deadpool’s marketing is some of the best in recent years. Along with the expected trailers (which captured the film’s irreverent tone perfectly), there was a long-running viral campaign with Ryan Reynolds appearing as the Merc with a Mouth in all manner of humorous skits that made it seem almost like an anti-superhero flick; exactly what you’d expect from a film that got green-lit based on leaked test footage. That the film itself was so different to what audiences expected from a formulaic superhero movie certainly helped, but this long lead-in is an essential part of what made it such a box office success.
There may be nothing to promote - the film’s record-breaking box office run has long since ended and it’s been on Blu-ray for months, while the sequel is a long way off - but Reynolds hasn’t stopped his in-character promotion, clearly just having fun in a role he finally got to do right. Far from simply repeating the same jokes and quips, however, each time he tries to bring something new to the discussion.
The latest part of this is a review of 2016 as part of Empire’s end of year round-up, where Reynolds (as Mr Pool) fields various questions about the past twelve months. It’s mostly the exact sort of humour you’d expect from Wade Wilson - the stand-out gag’s the statement that he was paid in cocaine for the film because, well, Fox - although there is a very interesting reveal of the character’s (or actor’s) favorite film of 2016: Hunt for the Wilderpeople.
Can you blame him? Taika Waititi’s hilariously heartfelt tale of an unconventional duo living in the New Zealand mountains is an absolute standout, guaranteed to make many critics’ best of the year lists over the next month. The “Serious answer” addendum at the end of the quote means that it’s probably Reynolds speaking there, but let’s pretend the real Deadpool loves it - that’s more fun. If so, does that mean he’s also excited for Thor: Ragnarok, Watiti’s next film, despite it coming from a rival superhero studio? Possibly, although unlike the coke jab, that may be a line too far for Fox.
While 2016 was mostly a year of success for Deadpool, things have got a bit rocky recently, with original director Tim Miller departing the sequel unexpectedly last month and being replaced by John Wick’s David Leitch. Next to nothing is known about what the sequel will entail, with the only concrete news being that Cable will feature in some form. It doesn’t even have a proper release date, (although is expected to be set for Fox’s March 2nd, 2018 slot). When asked what to expect by Empire, Reynolds/Deadpool had only this to say:
You get the feeling he’s having a joke.
“T.J. Miller snorting live mice off a mirror in the bathroom at the Minneapolis airport. Followed by a festival of handjobs.”
Source: Empire
- Deadpool 2 Release Date: 2018-05-18
