Not much is known at this time about Deadpool 3’s plot. Some of the casting is known, without any detail about the story. Recent reveals for the film consist of set photos showing Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds. Those set photos have not given audiences much additional plot information. What they do accomplish is an answer to an essential question about the film. Deadpool 3 is definitely going to be a multiverse movie. Except this multiverse is more than just one interconnected comic book movie.
Deadpool 3’s set photos show our characters killing the previously named “20th Century Fox” universe. That image proves the film is a multiverse “buddy comedy” with Wolverine and Deadpool. A “20th Century Fox” universe is not the only one that our protagonists could enter into. That universe could be the tip of the iceberg for the film. Before Deadpool joins the MCU, his travel could take him to another studio universe. Deadpool and Wolverine have to destroy Sony’s Spider-Man Universe.
The Sony Universe Needs to Be Demolished
Sony and Marvel’s begrudging partnership was a logistical business nightmare. Deadpool could poke fun at this rocky relationship. That rocky relationship can also call to light Sony’s failings as a film studio. Recent films like Morbius (which failed) and the upcoming Kraven The Hunter (which could potentially bomb) are a perfect target for the merc with a mouth to poke fun of.
Those are not the sole targets that Deadpool 3 could be going after. The film is already said to be stacked with cameos from other heroes. What is to say that more characters from the “Spider-verse” could make an appearance?
The Sony Spider-Man universe was rumored to be building a version of the Sinister Six. Their first attempt at this plan failed with the Amazing Spider-Man films. Deadpool could help restart this corner of the universe by satirizing the old one first. Satirizing the Sony universe could offer some hilarious moments. Simultaneously, it would also allow for cameos of other famous characters to appear. Those cameos could be more than just the expected Sinister Six villains.
The Sony universe could not be the sole-destroyed universe in Deadpool and Wolverine’s adventures. That concept promises numerous cameos in the story. Besides obvious MCU, Fox, and Sony cameos, other fan-favorite appearances could happen. These appearances could include characters from early 2000’s superhero films (correlating with Hugh Jackman's X-Men films).
If Ryan Reynolds makes those deep cuts, it will make this story even more of a multiversal one. Reynolds and Company would be skewering the entire superhero genre. To properly satirize early superhero films, Deadpool 3 has to reference the ones before the “cinematic” universes began.
The Film Could Kill Early 2000’s Superheroes
Other Fox characters, like Jennifer Garner’s Elektra, are confirmed to return in the film. Garner, along with her ex-husband Ben Affleck is rumored to be appearing in the movie as well. Both of those films were infamously panned by fans and critics upon their initial release. Deadpool 3’s inclusion of early 2000s superheroes could be more than just Jackman, Garner, and possibly Affleck. The cameos of Deadpool 3 could include even more appearances deep into the 2000s era.
The early 2000s gave audiences numerous superhero film interpretations. Characters like Spider-Man, Blade, Eric Bana’s Hulk, and even the Punisher, had the spotlight. None of those films had the same relevance as modern Marvel movies. Their chance at an appearance (even a brief one) in Deadpool 3 could help redeem them.
No matter the length of their scenes, each character could be given a moment to shine. Those “moments” could be more than a joke-filled cameo. Each of those cameos could be a satirical jab at those films' failures and a celebration of their accomplishments.
At the same time, those cameos could redeem certain actors (Affleck or Thomas Jane) from failed portrayals. Whereas an actor like Wesley Snipes could relish the chance to play this character again. Every cameo could be an homage or a shot at redemption for what came before.
Reynolds's love of the “Deadpool” character could help create loving portrayals of other heroes. This killing of the 2000s heroes could be an act of love, which could be completed with Hugh Jackman's Wolverine by his side. These two characters recking havoc on the universe that they started, promise some great on-screen entertainment.
Deadpool 3 promises to be a superhero film and multiverse movie unlike any other. Those first set photos prove that the film is a massive multiversal story. With Hugh Jackman returning as Wolverine, the film could have limitless cameo possibilities. Those cameos could be in service of the story. The film even has the potential to reboot the entire X-Men universe. Saying that the film will go “out with the old” and “in with the new” is an understatement. Deadpool 3 can be the film that reboots the entire superhero genre for modern audiences.