Spoiler alert! This article contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine.
Summary
Deadpool & Wolverinecelebrated several aspects ofMarvelhistory, including a tribute to Wolverine’s famed comic book debut.Deadpool & Wolverinefeatured a swathe of Wolverine variantsdrawn from comic book history. One of theseDeadpool & WolverineEaster eggscelebrated two iconic moments from Wolverine’s history in Marvel Comics simultaneously, most notably his scene-stealing first appearance.
Deadpool & Wolverineofficially concluded Fox’s Marvel movie timeline. Appropriately,Deadpool & Wolverineboasts a wealth of cameoappearances from this era, bidding a fond farewell to the early Marvel movies while leaving open the possibility for the titular heroes to return in the MCU’s future.Deadpool & Wolverinealso featured a comic-accurate Wolverine costume for the first time. Moreover,Deadpool & Wolverineincluded an array of comic-accurate Wolverines, including one from one of his most famous comic book battles.
10 Fake Leaks From Deadpool & Wolverine That Completely Threw Off Expectations
Deadpool & Wolverine was subject to some notorious leaks and rumors, but it turns out that some of these were faked by the filmmakers themselves.
Wolverine Fought Hulk In His First Marvel Comics Appearance
The Hulk cameo inDeadpool & Wolverineserved as a two-fold reference. Firstly, it honored Wolverine’s Marvel Comics debut. Created by writer Len Wein and artist Herb Trimpe, with some uncredited input by John Romita Sr., Wolverine first appeared inThe Incredible Hulk #181, in 1974. In the issue, Wolverine is dispatched by the Canadian government to subdue the Hulk and Wendigo in the Canadian wilderness.
The almighty three-way battle that ensues quickly cemented Wolverine as an icon.The Incredible Hulk#181 alsointroduced many of Wolverine’s most famous characteristics: his short stature, his short temper, his fierce fighting capabilities, and his remarkable set of razor-sharp claws that allow him to go toe-to-toe with the Hulk. This initial clash highlighted Wolverine’s resilience and combat skills, establishing him as a formidable opponent even against someone as powerful as the Hulk.
Wolverine’s Tragic Backstory In Deadpool & Wolverine Has Roots In A Shocking X-Men Comics Storyline
Deadpool & Wolverine adapts a familiar moment from X-Men movies and X-Men comic book lore to create the most harrowing backstory for Wolverine.
In his first appearance, Wolverine wore an early prototype of his famed canary yellow and blue costume. This early renditiongave Wolverine a more animalistic mask design complete with whiskers. However, in theDeadpool & Wolverinescene with the Hulk, Wolverine is wearing his brown and tan costume, referencing another iconic Wolverine moment.
Deadpool & Wolverine’s Hulk Cameo Is A Comics Reference
During the Hulk scene inDeadpool & Wolverine, Deadpool comments on Wolverine’s yellow and tan costume and even references legendaryX-Menartist John Byrne. As Wolverine approaches, he unsheathes his claws, revealing the Hulk in their reflection. This visual isa direct homage to the cover ofThe Incredible Hulk#340, another iconic issue that features Wolverine facing off against the Hulk.
This 1988 comic book cover, created by artist Todd McFarlane, has becomeone of the most memorable images in Wolverine’s history. By including this specific shot, the filmmakers acknowledged Wolverine’s rich comic book heritage but also delighted audiences with a thrilling reveal. The reflection of the Hulk in Wolverine’s claws symbolizes their enduring rivalry and the deep connection between the two characters within the Marvel Universe.
Deadpool & Wolverineshowcased numerous Wolverine variants, each based on and celebrating iconic comic book events. These variants included different costumes and personas that Wolverine has adopted throughout his storied career in the comics. His fight with Hulk managed to honor two moments, and hiswhetted audience appetites for a full-blown confrontationbetween the Marvel legends.
How The MCU Can Still Deliver A Proper Hulk Vs. Wolverine Fight
At theend ofDeadpool & Wolverine, Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine remains alive and active within the MCU multiverse. Thisopens up exciting possibilitiesfor future storylines, including the potential for a proper Hulk vs. Wolverine showdown. One potential avenue for this epic confrontation could be through the highly anticipatedAvengers: Secret Warsstoryline.
Hulk and Wolverine fought during one segment of the Marvel animated movieHulk Vs.
In the comics,Secret Warsinvolves a multiverse battle that brings together numerous variants. This would allow Jackman to return as the Wolverine variant fromDeadpool & Wolverine.This could therefore serve asthe perfect backdrop for a clash between Wolverine and Mark Ruffalo’s Hulkwhile maintaining their established cinematic history. Alternatively, the MCU could explore this rivalry further down the line when Wolverine is inevitably recast for the MCU’sX-Menproject.
The introduction of a new actor to portray Wolverine would offer a fresh take on the character and an opportunity to revisit his iconic battles, including those with the Hulk. This approach wouldallow Wolverine to be introduced as an adversarial figurebefore joining the X-Men, like his comic book counterpart. This would pay homage to Wolverine’s origins, much asDeadpool & Wolverineachieved with its Wolverine montage.
Deadpool & Wolverine
Cast
A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
