February 12th is a date you’re going to want to put in your calendar because that’s the day superhero movies are going to change forever, thanks to Deadpool.
“‘That’s a bold statement”, I hear you cry but I do have a reason, and its the chimichanga of all reasons.
Deadpool is finally being released. After 11 long years in development, it is finally happening. The ‘Merc with the mouth’ will be on our cinema screens in all his glory, for all the world to see.
If you aren’t aware of Deadpool then here is a little rundown: His real name is Wade Wilson and after finding out he has cancer pretty much ravaging his body, he’s offered a spot on the Weapon X program (same one that gave Wolverine his healing powers). Although he’s given a healing factor which makes him pretty much indestructible, it does cover him from head to toe in scars. It also messes with his mind a bit and its safe to say that he’s a wee bit loco. To seek revenge on the people who experimented on him, he becomes Deadpool.
With me so far? Good.
Never before has there been a more faithful adaptation of a character going from page to screen. And I’m not just talking about the way the costume looks (which is pretty much as close as you can get by the way). The humour is there. The violence is there. It’s worth mentioning that he is a mercenary for hire. Yep, he’s not out to save the world, he’s out kill everyone who messed him up. Then there is the little fact it’s an R-rated superhero film. Will this open the door for more R-rated comic films being made? Deadpool is also the first comic character who is somewhat self-aware, and will constantly break the fourth wall. I’m happy to report this little quirk carries over to the big screen.
I’m not saying this will make The Avengers a bunch of stone-cold killers, because lets face it, we all love The Avengers. I think it’s going to change the way these types of movies take shape. The whole Deadpool package (pun intended), is in my opinion a breath of fresh air. Lets start with the trailers. They weren’t full of massive bits of dialogue that gave away most of the story in under three minutes. Most of the trailers involved the scene where Deadpool is taking out bad guys on the bridge and then they added in small bits to the other ones that came out. I’ve had many discussions with friends where there is a split between us about what a good trailer should include. I am in favour of more like Inception or Cloverfield, where you don’t get any massive hints to what’s going on but hooks you into watching the film. I believe it’s about time that studios cut the amount of information that we get to see in trailers and T.V spots. Have one great trailer, that will captivate your audience and you will still get people’s attention.
“If you ace it, they will come”
Next is the way the studio is marketing and publicizing the movie. I have loved the viral videos that have appeared on social media. The mimicking of Hunger Games with Deadpool taking the place of Katniss was delightful. I especially enjoyed the 12 Days of Deadpool we experienced over Christmas.
The main way that I hope it changes things is if Deadpool makes appearances in other franchises. Will this make the films a higher rating or will they need to tone down Mr Pool to make sure they fit in with how they have previously been made? I think it would be great to see some of the upcoming films take on a slightly more edgy tone and Deadpool is the perfect character to help ease this. I believe he is the character that the fans get excited about being redeemed after the let down with the end result in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Speaking of the fans, this film probably wouldn’t be made if it wasn’t for someone leaking the test footage after Comic Con in 2014 (the rumour that Ryan Reynolds himself leaked it is a complete fabrication). Here’s the link for the test footage [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBHjzZX5dyM[/embedyt]
Once it released there was a tidal wave of noise from the fans begging for this film. Luckily for us, the studio buckled and gave it the green light. When the cast were at Comic Con this year they gave a great panel talk and had some great stuff to say about getting the film made. Be warned, this is not for anyone with a delicate ear. You will definitely get a sense of what is to come. Especially from T.J Miller who plays Weasel. Have a look at it here [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze0sfeLX3as[/embedyt]
What really has people excited about with this movie is the main man himself Ryan Reynolds. Mr Reynolds is no stranger to comic book adaptations. To date he has played Hannibal King in Blade Trinity, Wade Wilson in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (he was the best thing in the film until they sewed his mouth shut), Hal Jordan in Green Lantern (no-one mention the suit) and Nick in R.I.P.D. It’s fair to say that his hit rate hasn’t been the best with the old superhero flicks but I think the next one will wipe that slate clean for him.
The cast for Deadpool absolutely needs a mention. Joining Ryan are T.J. Miller as Weasel, Morena Baccarin as Vanessa/Copycat, Ed Skrein as Ajax, Gina Carano as Angel Dust, Stefan Kapicic as Colossus and last but no means least Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead (best name ever!)
In the hands of the talented Tim Miller, Deadpool (which is his first live action job) is going to give fans a film that I think will be a big hit next year. It will also open the door for him to appear in other Marvel movies over the next few years. We can only hope.
And now I will leave you to gaze upon the awesomeness that is the Red Band Trailer for DEADPOOL, enjoy.[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIM1HydF9UA[/embedyt]
As always, please feel free to comment and discuss any of the above.
That’s all for now.
See you soon.
