New concept art fromDeadpool & Wolverinehas revealed a new variant, which I’m annoyed wasn’t used in theMCUmovie, as this could have improved on the best scene from 2016’sX-Men: Apocalypse. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s debut in the MCU explored the multiverse more than most previous movies, bridging the gap betweenEarth-616 and Earth-10005, and introducing many new variants to live-action. Having said that, I thinkDeadpool & Wolverinecould have showcased even more of the multiverse’s potential, and new concept art has proven me right.
One of myfavorite moments inDeadpool & Wolverinesaw Ryan Reynolds' titular Merc with a Mouth journey to several different realities on the hunt for a replacement Wolverine. He meets a Wolverine of comic-accurate height, Patch, Old Man Logan, Fever Dream Logan, a Hulk-fighting Wolverine, the Cavillrine and the Wolverine from Marvel Comics’Age of Apocalypse, but there were manyWolverine variantsmissing from this line-up.I wanted to see one missing variant in particular, exploring a key moment in Wolverine’s history thatX-Men: Apocalypsealready attempted.
I Can’t Believe We Missed Out On The Best Deadpool & Wolverine Variant But I Know How He Can Join The MCU
The first look at the major variant that was cut from Deadpool & Wolverine reveals what was lost, but there’s a way for him to still come to the MCU.
Wolverine’s Escape Was X-Men: Apocalypse’s Best Moment
Hugh Jackman Made A Cameo Appearance In The 1980s-Set X-Men: Apocalypse
Let’s take it back for a moment. RememberX-Men: Apocalypse?I tend to considerX-Men: Apocalypseto be every Marvel Comics fan’s worst nightmare, but every casualX-Menfranchise viewer’s solid watch, as the movie threw Marvel Comics' history away, but delivered a strong story nonetheless. While it had its problems,X-Men: Apocalypsedid include one of theX-Menfranchise’s best moments, asHugh Jackman’s Wolverine made a cameo appearance during his escape from the Weapon X program at Alkali Lake.
This was probably the closest we ever got to seeing a comic-accurate version ofWolverine in 20th Century Fox’sX-Menfranchise. Jackman was in very little clothing, and sported a retro helmet and wiring on his head and in his body. This image was strikingly similar to Wolverine’s outfit during his escape from Weapon X in Marvel Comics, so I was overjoyed to see this play out in live-action. However,this scene still didn’t match up perfectly, butDeadpool & Wolverinehad the chance to improve on it, and I’m annoyed Marvel Studios didn’t use it.
Deadpool & Wolverine Almost Made Wolverine’s Weapon X Escape Even More Comic-Accurate
Wolverine’s Weapon X Storyline Was Detailed In Marvel Comics In 1991
In September, Marvel Studios concept artistPhil Saundersrevealed a design for a Wolverine variant that unfortunately didn’t make it intoDeadpool & Wolverine. This design reimaginedWolverine’s escape from the Weapon Xfacility, but would have seen Hugh Jackman sport a much more comic-accurate costume. Rather than the dulled-down headgear fromX-Men: Apocalypse,Deadpool & Wolverine’sWeapon X Wolverine variant would have worn a full 1980s-style helmet, fit with a pink visor, just like his Marvel Comics counterpart.
I’m obsessed with Saunders' design for acomic-accurate Wolverine inDeadpool & Wolverine, especially since this image looks like it’s taken directly from Barry Windsor-Smith’sMarvel Comics Presents #79from 1991, which detailed Wolverine’s escape from the Weapon X program.Including this version of Wolverine in the MCU’s Phase 5 would have putX-Men: Apocalypse’sWeapon X escape scene to shame. I would have loved to have seen this moment play out more faithfully to Marvel Comics, especially withDeadpool & Wolverine’sR-rating.
I’m Annoyed This Wolverine Variant Wasn’t Included In Deadpool & Wolverine
Deadpool & Wolverine Didn’t Include Enough Wolverine Variants
Of course,I loved seeing the different versions of Wolverine included in a montage towards the beginning ofDeadpool & Wolverine, but I was also a bit disappointed with this moment. This scene was over incredibly quickly, after only showing us a few different variants of Wolverine - I wanted more.Deadpool’s numerous variants comprised the Deadpool Corps, and had a meaty role in the movie, but Wolverine’s variants were practically ignored. It would have been great to see more Wolverine variants inDeadpool & Wolverine, especially comic-accurate ones such as the Weapon X escapee.
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.
