On the afternoon of July 2, the superhero movie "Deadpool & Wolverine" produced by Disney Group and Marvel Studios held its Chinese premiere at Shanghai Film City. Three main creators, including director Shawn Levy, starring Ryan Reynolds, who is nicknamed "Jianjian" by Chinese audiences, and "Uncle Wolf" Hugh Jackman, came to the scene to share behind-the-scenes secrets with Chinese audiences.
"Wolf and the Mean CP" combined
It is worth mentioning that this China premiere is the global first stop promotional event for this summer blockbuster which will be released simultaneously in North America, China and other places on July 26; at the same time, it is also the first time in five years that the main creative staff of a Marvel movie has landed in China to meet the audience since the main creative staff of "Spider-Man: Far From Home" came to China in June 2019.
Yesterday, the weather was fine. Shanghai just happened to have entered the threshold of the plum rain season, and the sun, which had not been seen for a long time, occasionally peeked out from the clouds. However, the high temperature that escaped from the plum rain season obviously left a deep impression on the creators of "Deadpool and Wolverine".
At the beginning of the premiere, Hugh Jackman said: "I haven't been to China for a while. I am very happy that Ryan and I can choose Shanghai as the first stop of our global promotion. This morning, we went out for a walk. Although it was very hot, we found that the city was still very beautiful."
Hugh Jackman
Ryan Reynolds said: "This is my third time in this beautiful city. It's... a little warm, but I can stand it. Maybe we Canadians are just better at dealing with the cold. What I want to say is that I am surprised and excited that the Chinese market can fully accept this film that retains the most unique qualities of Deadpool and Wolverine. We will not take this for granted, but feel greatly honored."
Ryan Reynolds
Perhaps, not only Ryan Reynolds, but also many Chinese audiences were surprised that "Deadpool and Wolverine" could be released simultaneously. After all, the first part in 2016 had no chance to be released on the big screen in mainland China, and the second part was released 8 months after North America. This time, not only are they released simultaneously, but the release date is also in July, which is a rare opportunity.
Director Shawn Levy is visiting China for the first time, which is not surprising. He is well-known in the industry for Night at the Museum. He has worked with Hugh Jackman in Real Steel, Ryan Reynolds in Free, and The Adam Project, but this is his first time directing a Marvel movie.
“This is the first time that I have brought together two superhero characters that are so beloved by the public to make a movie. Together, they go through an adventure full of action, humor and heartwarming moments. We are very excited to share this with audiences in China and other parts of the world,” said Shawn Levy. “Although this is my first time in Shanghai and China, I feel that cultures in different parts of the world are so different, but I believe that people’s desire to experience joy and emotional resonance when they go to the cinema is common.”
Director Shawn Levy
Talking about the significance of filming "Deadpool and Wolverine", Levy revealed: "Hugh and Ryan are my closest friends in real life. Being able to make a movie with them is the best experience of my life. And the value of this movie itself goes beyond the significance of this matter. It is more special than anything I have experienced because the three of us have invested a lot of emotions in it."
Hugh Jackman also has a lot of feelings about returning to play Wolverine. "You know, I have played this role for 25 years, but this experience is beyond the past. The script created by the two people around me - they are also the director and producer - gives Wolverine a unique charm. Seven years ago, I was planning to retire from this role, but when they shared the idea with me, I knew that this is what I wanted, what Ryan wanted, and what the fans wanted. In this movie, I will face unprecedented challenges, and I believe that fans will see a more multifaceted Wolverine."
"Deadpool vs. Wolverine" trailer screenshot
When it was Ryan Reynolds' turn to speak, he was still as mean as ever, complaining, "I'm such a bad listener. Before coming to Shanghai for this event, I asked what I should wear, and I remember someone said, 'Just dress casually, a T-shirt will do.' Now you see, I'm the only one out of the three who's not wearing a suit, and it looks like I'm the only one who doesn't take this event seriously."
He added: "I remember seven years ago when Hugh invited me to a Christmas party and he told me the theme was ugly Christmas sweaters. I turned up and I was the only one wearing an ugly Christmas sweater."
Christmas ugly sweater version of belike: i-man and his e-man friends.
"That's the only time you listened to what I said," Hugh Jackman added.
"Look, this is my daily routine on the set. I just stand there and watch the two of them having fun." Shawn Levy also interjected.
When asked how this collaboration with Wolf was possible, Reynolds became Deadpool again: "You know, Disney and Marvel bought 20th Century Fox and took over the copyright. No kidding, this may not be a good investment. I don't know, just ignore me. Anyway, Disney got the copyright, which means Deadpool can join the Marvel Universe. Although he was originally a Marvel character, he never officially joined the Marvel Universe. So, this is a big change."
"In fact, I started talking to Marvel five or six years ago, saying that I wanted to make a movie where Deadpool and Wolverine come together. At that time, Kevin Feige replied to me, 'Forget it, it's never possible.' After that, Sean and I went to Kevin to discuss the project plan many times, but it was always rejected. Just when I wanted to go to him one last time and tell him that we planned to wait a few years and then come back to him after we have a better proposal, I received a call from Hugh. He said that he wanted to come back to play Wolverine. Later that day, I met with Kevin and told him that Hugh had agreed to come back. I wanted to shoot "Deadpool and Wolverine" now. It would be a very special movie. Unexpectedly, Kevin agreed immediately."
"But Kevin said Wolverine had to wear yellow," Shawn Levy added.
Later, Reynolds specifically mentioned: "You just saw the scene in the movie where we fought. I had a knife, and Hugh walked towards me with bare hands. Those action scenes were all done by Hugh himself. Hugh, you are still as good as ever. I know you are 55 years old, but you look like you are only 54."
The three main creators appeared at Shanghai Film Studios to attend the China premiere of "Deadpool vs. Wolverine".
Marvel fans may get a surprise
"Deadpool vs. Wolverine" is the third film in the "Deadpool" series, which was released in 2016. It has been six years since the release of the previous film "Deadpool 2: I Love My Family". It is also the first new work released by Disney after its acquisition of 20th Century Fox and subsequent recovery of the anti-hero IP born from Marvel Comics. It is also the first film in the series to be rated PG-13 in North America. The first two films were rated R (restricted).
The 37 minutes or so of content shown at yesterday's premiere was basically the beginning of the whole film. The story tells that although "Deadpool" Wade Wilson brought back a group of relatives and friends through the time wheel of the steel cable, he was also targeted by the Time Administration. Agent Mr. Paradox threatened him to either travel through the sacred timeline and bring back Wolverine from the multiverse; or he could only accept the reality that with the death of the core figure Wolverine, he and his relatives and friends in the same universe would also be wiped out. Wade, who had no choice, arbitrarily snatched Mr. Paradox's time shuttle, but after many times of traveling through time, the Logan he found was an alcoholic and decadent uncle who was not in Mr. Paradox's eyes at all. So, this pair of brothers in distress were thrown into a garbage universe like a wasteland world together...
Stills from Deadpool and Wolverine
Judging from these 37 minutes, Deadpool and Wolverine still retains the tradition of the first two films in the series of intensive use of memes and Easter eggs, especially the most memes and Easter eggs related to the Avengers. I believe Marvel fans will get a lot of surprises from watching this new film. Of course, everything has two sides, and for passers-by who have not watched many Marvel movies, I am afraid it will not be very friendly.
Another joke that has been used many times, second only to Marvel, is Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox. As for whether it is funny or not, that's a matter of opinion. I think that for viewers who grew up watching Fox's classic movies and listening to the iconic horn sound, seeing its huge logo half buried in the wasteland should be a bit complicated.
Other jokes, such as "A person has 206 bones in his body, but when I watch Gossip Girl, I have 207 bones in my body," can only be understood by viewers who have a certain understanding of the lead actor Ryan Reynolds.
A little "cheap" face gift
Let's talk about the rating. In fact, the PG-13 rating has little impact on the lines. Although the words starting with F are silenced with "di--", everyone knows what the characters are going to say. In my opinion, the rating still affects the bloodiness of the fighting scenes. At the beginning of "Deadpool vs. Wolverine", Wade fights against a group of people sent by the Time Management Bureau to kill him. As a result, after the fight, everyone's limbs on the screen are intact. Comparing the fight scene in the opening of the first "Deadpool" where one fights against many people, you can clearly understand the difference between R and PG-13.
Stills from Deadpool and Wolverine
What I care about most is the change in Deadpool's character. As the original villain, he should be indifferent to whether he is super or not, heroic or not. But in the latest film, he has become very concerned about his connection with the Avengers. In fact, this movie looks like it is paving the way for Deadpool to join the Avengers family. Of course, judging from Reynolds' speech at the premiere and Shawn Levy's decision to direct Avengers 5, this seems inevitable.
Finally, let me talk about my biggest concern about the next 90 minutes of the plot that I didn't get to see. That is, until the first 37 minutes, the number one villain played by Emma Corrin didn't have a chance to appear. Judging from the appearance alone, this character is still quite outstanding. It would be a pity if he could only become a background board for Deadpool and Wolverine to talk nonsense.
Emma Corrin plays the villain
