Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios head, initially rejected Ryan Reynolds’ initial proposal for “Deadpool & Wolverine,” highlighting the significance of the film within the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise.
In an Empire Magazine feature on Deadpool & Wolverine, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige discusses the original pitch for Deadpool 3 and why it was ultimately rejected.
“Deadpool 3 was originally conceived as a ‘Rashomon’ story exploring different perspectives from Wolverine and Deadpool,” Ryan Reynolds revealed. “It aimed to create a large-scale film with an intimate feel.”
In Akira Kurosawa’s classic “Rashomon” (1950), the murder of a Samurai triggers a series of unreliable accounts from the three central characters: the bandit, the wife, and the Samurai himself (through a psychic medium). Each narrative paints a different picture of the fateful encounter, with each individual idealizing themselves and denigrating the others. These conflicting perspectives highlight the subjectivity of truth and the flaws in human recollection. Only the detached account of an objective witness (a woodcutter) provides a glimpse of the true events.
Ryan Reynolds suggested using the Rashomon approach for Deadpool 3 to create a “blockbuster” from a modest-budget movie by reusing footage. However, the timing and focus were not ideal for this concept.
“I was unsure how to incorporate Deadpool,” Feige admitted about the initial pitches for ‘Deadpool 3’. “I focused on bringing mutants and the X-Men into the MCU, but Ryan is extremely imaginative. He pitched that idea and numerous others.”
Reynolds discussed the creative process behind developing “Deadpool & Wolverine,” revealing that he explored various treatments, ranging from small-scale indie films to larger-budget blockbusters. He experimented with unconventional uses of the IP, seeking to innovate within the franchise.
Feige and co. should consider incorporating the Rashomon concept into a future MCU movie, TV show episode, or Marvel One-Shot. This approach allows for unique storytelling and budget efficiency, providing fans with fresh and engaging content.
Introducing the highly anticipated action-packed adventure, Deadpool & Wolverine, hitting theaters July 26th.