Shawn Levy, a director known for his work on “Stranger Things” and “Free Guy,” recently sat down for an interview to discuss his latest project, “Deadpool & Wolverine.” This film, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, is one of the most anticipated movies of the summer and marks a significant entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Levy shared insights into the film, his collaboration with Marvel, and the unique challenges and opportunities that come with directing such a high-profile project.
Levy, who is no stranger to the world of rumors and speculation, admitted that the buzz around “Deadpool & Wolverine” has been overwhelming. “The rumors around this movie are overwhelming,” Levy said. “But so is the anticipation, which is a nice situation.” The excitement is palpable, especially since this film will be the first to feature Reynolds’ Deadpool and Jackman’s Wolverine within the MCU, following Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox.
The film’s first trailer, which aired during the Super Bowl, broke records with 365 million views in its first 24 hours. The second trailer, released recently, set another record for the most “F-bombs” in the MCU, with six in less than three minutes. This level of anticipation is partly due to the unique blend of humor and action that Deadpool brings to the table, a tone that Levy was keen to maintain. “There was no way I was going to reinvent a wheel, a tonal wheel, that works so beautifully,” Levy explained. “Both Disney and Marvel, up and down the food chain, empowered Ryan and I to make this movie exactly as we dreamed.”
One of the most intriguing aspects of the film is the return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. Jackman had previously retired the character after “Logan,” but the multiverse concept in the MCU allows for his return without disrupting the continuity of “Logan.” “It’s a really interesting duo,” Levy said. “They’re built for huge conflict with each other because they’re so different individually. But that makes for a very interesting story.”
Levy also highlighted the real-life friendship between himself, Jackman, and Reynolds, which has spanned over a decade and includes collaborations on films like “Free Guy” and “Real Steel.” This camaraderie allowed for a creative freedom on set that Levy believes has resulted in some of the film’s most surprising and entertaining moments. “The real benefit of being friends off set is that you can try crazy stuff without fear of falling,” Levy said. “This movie is filled with moments, both comedic and character-based, that we didn’t expect and were the result of a freedom that came from being friends.”
For fans worried about needing to catch up on MCU lore before watching “Deadpool & Wolverine,” Levy reassured that the film is designed to be accessible. “I was a good student in school. I’ll do my homework as an adult. But I am definitely not looking to do homework when I go to the movies,” Levy said. “This movie is built for entertainment, with no obligation to come prepared with prior research.”
The production of “Deadpool & Wolverine” was not without its challenges. Like many other projects, it was affected by the writers’ and actors’ strikes, which caused a multi-month pause in filming. However, Levy saw a silver lining in this disruption. “The impact was real,” Levy said. “For me as the director, and the producer, the multi-month pause happened right in the middle of filming. All I could do was edit and review the footage. But it taught me about my movie, and it really revealed what was working and what the movie wanted to be.”
When filming resumed, Levy felt more focused and confident in what needed to be done. “It really focused our work and I think improved our work in the second half,” Levy said. “That’s not a luxury we ever get in live-action filmmaking.”
As for the film’s content, Levy remained tight-lipped, focusing instead on the overall experience that “Deadpool & Wolverine” aims to deliver. “Audiences are hungry for a great time at the movies,” Levy said. “They want to be delighted, transported, and entertained. And when they are given that, whether it’s ‘Barbie,’ ‘Oppenheimer’ or any number of other recent movies, they show up.”
Levy’s confidence in the film’s potential is evident, and he believes it could be a major success for the MCU, possibly even breaking box office records. “The movie is built for audience delight. I think that they’re in for a very fun ride,” Levy concluded.
With “Deadpool & Wolverine” set to be the only Marvel movie released in 2024, all eyes are on Levy and his team to deliver a film that not only meets but exceeds the high expectations of fans and critics alike.
