Deadpool

Matt_Black

Matt_Black

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Now, what, if anything, does this mean for Marvel Studios? While we still don't know the long term, it looks like Deadpool is going to go down as a hit. So, do we think this might prompt Marvel to greenlight some Rated R films, like Blade?
 
Bairstow

Bairstow

Well-Known Member
doctornick said:
I'm sure that any sequel will have a much healthier budget. The reality is that with this film, Fox did not have much faith in the project and provided only a small budget and allowed the passion project to occur but tried to minimize their risk. They obviously have to be overwhelmed by the reception by the public and will respond according for the sequel.
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I'll bet their marketing budget was three times the film's.
 
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doctornick

Well-Known Member
Matt_Black said:
Now, what, if anything, does this mean for Marvel Studios? While we still don't know the long term, it looks like Deadpool is going to go down as a hit. So, do we think this might prompt Marvel to greenlight some Rated R films, like Blade?
Click to expand...

I think it is fantastic that Deadpool has been successful and I think that having a variety of comic book films is important. It keeps the genre fresh and we want to have films that have distinct flavor.

That said, I neither expect nor want Marvel Studios to have R-rated films as part of the MCU film franchises. They've worked hard to build up a brand that is (relatively) family friendly and has a certainly level of quality control that people expect from their offerings.

But Disney/Marvel does now own some characters that, were they developed into films, would be better off as R-rated films -- I think Blade, Punisher and Ghost Rider are probably the easiest examples (which all, interestingly, have previously been developed for feature films). They obviously have not shied from more adult content in the Netflix series and so that's obviously a venue that could be used. but if they decided to go the R-rated film route, I'd guess they probably make it detached from the MCU and potentially release it under a different banner, like Touchstone. This would provide the creative freedom to properly develop the characters while not "soiling" the MCU brand with something that could take away from the general audience following they have built.
 
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doctornick

Well-Known Member
Another thought about the R-rating and future productions. With this success, other studios will probably try to copy it but I don't think it will be as successful because Deadpool is a fairly unique character. IMHO the success of this film is based more on the humor/sex (like a superhero teen sex film) than the violence. I am skeptical that a comic book film that just has R-rating level violence will be anything special, unless it is a quality film in its own right. But the comedy/sex aspects of Deadpool work so much better because of his character and how he can break the fourth wall and be self aware. You can do a "comic book accurate" version of Deadpool and have lots of snarky jokes that are unique in the genre; but if you try it with other characters it could easily blow up as a non accurate adaptation and seem more like parody.

Also, Deadpool is a very popular character to begin with, which helps to at least create initial buzz. I think the best bet for a similar treatment would be a Harley Quinn solo by DC who has a similar level of cult following.
 
Matt_Black

Matt_Black

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
doctornick said:
Deadpool is a fairly unique character.
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Wacky, irreverent superhero who knows he's fictional? Yeah, totally unique.

latest
 
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doctornick

Well-Known Member
Matt_Black said:
Wacky, irreverent superhero who knows he's fictional? Yeah, totally unique.

latest
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I don't really know who that character is, though I'm not a hard core comics collector. I did say "fairly unique" of course, which doesn't mean that no others are like that just that it would not be common (especially among characters who are actually marketable for a film).

Anyway, I mentioned Harley Quinn as a good option for an R-rated film. Another DC character I've seen suggested would be Lobo and I could see that, but IMHO he's not nearly at the level of popularity/public awareness of Deadpool.
 
Bairstow

Bairstow

Well-Known Member
doctornick said:
I think it is fantastic that Deadpool has been successful and I think that having a variety of comic book films is important. It keeps the genre fresh and we want to have films that have distinct flavor.

That said, I neither expect nor want Marvel Studios to have R-rated films as part of the MCU film franchises. They've worked hard to build up a brand that is (relatively) family friendly and has a certainly level of quality control that people expect from their offerings.

But Disney/Marvel does now own some characters that, were they developed into films, would be better off as R-rated films -- I think Blade, Punisher and Ghost Rider are probably the easiest examples (which all, interestingly, have previously been developed for feature films). They obviously have not shied from more adult content in the Netflix series and so that's obviously a venue that could be used. but if they decided to go the R-rated film route, I'd guess they probably make it detached from the MCU and potentially release it under a different banner, like Touchstone. This would provide the creative freedom to properly develop the characters while not "soiling" the MCU brand with something that could take away from the general audience following they have built.
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Surely the normal movie-going public has no conception of what is and isn't "MCU".
I can't imagine anyone not fully-versed in studio and corporate doings to understand what does and doesn't qualify.
 
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doctornick

Well-Known Member
Bairstow said:
Surely the normal movie-going public has no conception of what is and isn't "MCU".
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While obviously there are going to be wide variations on movie goers with different levels of awareness, I think you are totally wrong.

Marvel Studios and the MCU has a reputation that is known among much of the general public, much like Pixar has a positive rep for their films that distinguishes them from other animated fare. In fact, the entire premise Sony and Disney coming to an agreement over Spider-Man rights centered on making Spider-Man part of the MCU and having the Marvel Studios creative team develop the films in order to get the bump and position reception from being associated with the MCU.

Marvel Studios has made it a point to link their movies with references between films, shared characters and the obvious post-credit teaser scenes. Many casual fans might not call it the MCU or distinguish it with any formal name, but can probably tell someone that a superhero movie is in the same universe as Iron Man/Captain American/Thor/etc or not. Again, not saying this applies to everyone, but it is surely more widespread than you are indicating.
 
Tony Perkis

Tony Perkis

Well-Known Member
ItlngrlBella said:
My hubs said they've been green lighted for a sequel so with the money this one made, perhaps they will go bigger and less "cheap?"

I have yet to see it and have no opinion yet, except Ryan Reynolds is hot. ;)
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I hope the filmmakers will be restricted by budget one again (even if given a bit more breathing room). There were 3-4 great comedic moments knocking the film's budget.
 
Hakunamatata

Hakunamatata

Le Meh
Premium Member
I saw it today. Mixed feelings about it. I assume that in the comic Deadpool was self aware that he was a comic book character as he was in the movie?
 
ItlngrlBella

ItlngrlBella

Well-Known Member
There is a hilarious fan-made film of Deadpool doing the Gaston-tavern scene floating around the internet today. I won't post the link here but I'm sure through the magic of Google you can find it - if not, PM me and I can send it to you. It's done well and it's hysterical.
 

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