Deadpool inches closer

The last two major blockbusters of summer 2024 are coming up over the next couple weeks, with Twisters opening next week, and then Deadpool & Wolverine on July 26. 

Deadpool is expected to be one of the biggest films of the year, and is tracking for a $160-165 million opening weekend. It’s the first R-rated movie from Disney (not counting subsidiaries like Touchstone and Searchlight), and an opening weekend in that range would be a record for an R-rated film. Frankly, it seems too low. I think Deadpool could go upwards of $200 million, especially if the reviews/word of mouth turn out to be good. (Similarly, the $50 million estimate for Twisters feels low, I won’t be surprised if that movie hits around $80 million.)

There is a lot riding on Deadpool besides some stats about R-rated box office. Marvel needs the win, frankly, which Ryan Reynolds knows as he’s literally making “Marvel Jesus” jokes in the trailer. To a lesser extent, it’s on Hugh Jackman not to ruin the legacy of Logan. But mostly it’s about providing what is hopefully the first in the one-two punch of Deadpool and Agatha All Along getting Marvel back on track after their time in what amounts to the pop culture wilderness. Interestingly, the embargo doesn’t lift until the week the film opens. Usually, the earlier a studio lifts an embargo, the better, as it allows for word of mouth to build. Holding an embargo until the week of release is…a choice, to say the least.

Here is Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, director Shawn Levy, and Peggy the dog in London yesterday. Emma Corrin looks AMAZING. Also attached - shots of the cast at the London photo call today.