Italian
Marvel’s “Deadpool & Wolverine” aims for awards season glory
Aiming for the gold: Marvel’s latest blockbuster
Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” is not just content with its massive box office success; it’s now setting its sights on the awards season. Disney is determined to push this Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman multiverse spectacle into contention for major awards. Directed by Shawn Levy, this billion-dollar summer blockbuster will be submitted for consideration at the Golden Globes in the comedy categories. Reynolds’ performance as Wade Wilson, a.k.a. Deadpool, is vying for one of the six spots in the actor (comedy or musical) category. In a surprising move, Jackman’s return as Logan, a.k.a. Wolverine, will be positioned in the supporting actor races across all key awards shows, including the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards, Critics Choice, and even the Oscars.
New categories and technical achievements
The film is almost guaranteed a spot in the Golden Globes’ recently introduced Cinematic and Box Office Achievement category. This category, added last year, celebrates the year’s most critically acclaimed and highest-grossing films. To qualify, films must gross at least $150 million, with $100 million coming from the U.S., or achieve comparable digital streaming viewership figures recognized by industry standards.
In terms of Oscars attention, “Deadpool & Wolverine” will also aim for nominations in technical categories, including production design, sound, and visual effects. The original “Deadpool” (2016), directed by first-time filmmaker Tim Miller, was both a critical darling and a box office sensation, raking in over $780 million worldwide. It also became the highest-grossing R-rated movie at the time, a record now overtaken by the latest Deadpool entry.
The legacy of “Deadpool”
The original “Deadpool” earned two Golden Globe nominations, including best motion picture (musical or comedy) and best actor for Reynolds. It was also recognized by major industry guilds, including the Directors Guild of America for First-Time Director, the Writers Guild of America for Adapted Screenplay, and the Producers Guild of America for Best Picture. Levy’s film feels like a strong candidate for a PGA nomination once again, as the guild often embraces box office successes such as “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022), ”Knives Out” (2019), “Crazy Rich Asians” (2018), and ”Wonder Woman” (2017).
Star power and production excellence
Reynolds, a two-time Emmy winner for his FX reality series “Welcome to Wrexham,” is one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. In addition to starring in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” Reynolds also produced the film alongside Levy, Kevin Feige, and Lauren Shuler Donner. He co-wrote the screenplay with Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and Zeb Wells. Levy received his first Oscar nomination as a producer the same year as the first “Deadpool,” but for the sci-fi drama “Arrival” from Denis Villeneuve. Feige received his Oscar nomination as a producer for the box office smash “Black Panther” (2018), which went on to take home three statuettes, including historic wins for Black artisans Hannah Beachler (production design) and Ruth E. Carter (costume design).
Hugh Jackman’s award-winning pedigree
Jackman, one of the most accomplished actors of his generation, brings an impressive awards pedigree to his resume. With a Tony Award for ”The Boy from Oz,” an Emmy for hosting the 58th Tonys, a Golden Globe win, and an Oscar nomination for “Les Misérables” (2012), along with a Grammy for “The Greatest Showman” soundtrack, Jackman is no stranger to accolades. While superhero films typically don’t dominate the Oscars, the Globes and SAG voters have not been shy about embracing genre performances, with past nominees like Globe nominee Tom Cruise in “Tropic Thunder” (2008) and SAG nominee Javier Bardem in ”Skyfall” (2012).
Ensemble cast and surprise appearances
“Deadpool & Wolverine” also boasts an ensemble cast that includes Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Aaron Stanford, and Matthew Macfadyen. The film also features surprise appearances from stars like Chris Evans, Wesley Snipes, Jennifer Garner, and Channing Tatum. This summer, the Marvel entry crossed the $1 billion mark at the global box office, surpassing 2019’s smash hit “Joker.”
Critical acclaim and home release
In his review of the film, a prominent film critic described it as an “irreverent send-off to Fox’s X-Men movies,” writing that it “tests Disney standards while giving superhero fans closure on nearly a quarter-century of variable-quality Marvel fare produced across town.”
“Deadpool & Wolverine” comes to digital platforms, including Prime Video and Apple TV+, starting October 1. The film will also be released on 4K Blu-ray and DVD on October 22.
Did you enjoy this article? Share it on your social channels and let us know your thoughts! Don’t miss out on the latest updates! Follow us on social media to stay informed about the newest releases.
