Deadpool 2

Plot summary

The film opens with Wade Wilson, also known as Deadpool, fighting organized crime while celebrating his anniversary with his fiancée, Vanessa. After the couple decides to start a family, a criminal target inadvertently kills Vanessa, sending Wade into a deep depression and a series of failed suicide attempts. He is eventually recruited by the X-Men, specifically Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead, to help with a situation involving a young, unstable mutant named Russell Collins, also known as Firefist, at the Essex Corporation orphanage. When Wade witnesses the abuse Russell has suffered, he kills a staff member and is arrested alongside Russell, both being sent to the high-security Ice Box prison. The plot is complicated by the arrival of Cable, a cybernetically enhanced soldier from the future who travels back in time to kill Russell, believing the boy will grow up to murder his wife and daughter.

After Cable attacks the Ice Box, Deadpool escapes with Russell and, following another vision of Vanessa, decides to protect the boy. He assembles a team called X-Force to intercept a prison transfer convoy, but the mission goes disastrously wrong, with all members except Deadpool and Domino dying during the parachute assault. Russell frees the powerful mutant Juggernaut, who helps him return to the orphanage to kill the headmaster. After being ripped in half by Juggernaut and recovering, Deadpool agrees to work with Cable and Domino to stop Russell, on the condition that Cable gives him a chance to change the boy's mind. At the orphanage, a final confrontation ensues where Deadpool sacrifices himself by taking a bullet meant for Russell, which dissuades the boy from killing the headmaster and thereby saves Cable's family.

In the afterlife, Wade is reunited with Vanessa. Cable, moved by the sacrifice, uses his last time-travel charge to go back a few minutes and place Vanessa's token in front of Wade's heart, allowing him to survive the bullet. Cable then decides to remain in the present. Later, Negasonic Teenage Warhead and her girlfriend Yukio repair Cable's time device for Wade, who uses it on several personal missions. These include saving Vanessa's life, saving X-Force member Peter, killing an alternate version of himself, and killing actor Ryan Reynolds after he reads the Green Lantern screenplay.

Cast and characters

Ryan Reynolds returns as Wade Wilson, the fast-healing, scarred mercenary known as Deadpool, who also co-wrote the film and ad-libbed much of his dialogue. Josh Brolin portrays Cable, the time-traveling, cybernetically enhanced soldier from a dystopian future who is initially an antagonist. Morena Baccarin plays Vanessa Carlysle, Wade's fiancée whose death at the film's start motivates his journey. Julian Dennison stars as Russell Collins, the young pyrokinetic mutant hunted by Cable, a role Reynolds insisted on tailoring for Dennison after seeing him in Hunt for the Wilderpeople.

Zazie Beetz plays Domino, a mercenary whose mutant power is the manipulation of luck, who becomes a key member of Deadpool's team. The supporting cast includes several returning faces from the first film, such as T.J. Miller as Weasel, Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead, Leslie Uggams as Blind Al, Karan Soni as Dopinder, and Stefan Kapičić as the voice of Colossus. New characters include Jack Kesy as the mutant inmate Black Tom Cassidy, Eddie Marsan as the abusive orphanage Headmaster, and Shioli Kutsuna as Yukio, Negasonic's girlfriend. Ryan Reynolds also provided the voice for the Juggernaut, with the character's face modelled after director David Leitch.

The film features numerous cameos, including brief appearances by X-Men characters portrayed by James McAvoy, Nicholas Hoult, and Evan Peters. The ill-fated X-Force team includes Terry Crews, Lewis Tan, Bill Skarsgård, Rob Delaney, and a cameo by Brad Pitt as the invisible Vanisher. Matt Damon also makes a disguised cameo credited as Dickie Greenleaf. Archive footage of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine from X-Men Origins: Wolverine is used in a mid-credits sequence.

Production and development

Discussions for a Deadpool sequel began before the first film's February 2016 release, with producer Simon Kinberg confirming early ideas. The post-credits scene of the first film explicitly confirmed the inclusion of the character Cable. By the time of the first film's successful release, 20th Century Fox had greenlit the sequel with writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick set to return. Director Tim Miller and star Ryan Reynolds were confirmed to be returning in April 2016, though Miller had not formally signed on. In October 2016, Miller left the project due to creative differences with Reynolds, and David Leitch was soon hired as the new director. An extensive casting search was undertaken for the role of Cable, with actors like Kyle Chandler and Dolph Lundgren expressing interest before Josh Brolin was ultimately cast, signing a four-film deal.

Casting for Domino also involved a shortlist of actresses before Zazie Beetz was selected. Principal photography took place in British Columbia, Canada, from June to October 2017. The production faced creative challenges, including reducing the roles of certain villains like Black Tom Cassidy to streamline the story and budget, and incorporating a larger ensemble for the X-Force sequence. The writers decided to cut back on Black Tom's role as a 'devil on Firefist's shoulder' when they felt there were too many antagonists, choosing to allocate resources to characters like Juggernaut instead.

Release and box office performance

Deadpool 2 had its world premiere at the Empire Leicester Square in London on May 10, 2018. It was released theatrically in the United States by 20th Century Fox on May 18, 2018. The film was a major commercial success, outperforming its predecessor. It earned $785.9 million worldwide against a production budget of $110 million. This made it the ninth highest-grossing film of 2018 globally. The film also set significant records within its franchise, becoming the highest-grossing film in the X-Men series.

A modified, PG-13-rated version of the film, titled Once Upon a Deadpool, was released on December 12, 2018. This version framed the story with new scenes of Deadpool telling the story to Fred Savage, parodying The Princess Bride. The release was a charitable effort, with proceeds benefiting the Fudge Cancer charity, later renamed Fudge Family Cancer Foundation. Following the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by The Walt Disney Company, the film rights to Deadpool and associated characters reverted to Marvel Studios, setting the stage for the character's integration into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Critical reception and themes

Deadpool 2 received generally positive reviews from critics upon release. Many praised the film's humour, the performances of the cast, particularly Ryan Reynolds and Josh Brolin, and its action sequences. Some critics considered it an improvement over the first film, noting a more emotional core to the story. The critical consensus highlights the film as a violent, provocative, and often hilarious sequel that builds on the original's successes while expanding the franchise's scope.

Common criticisms focused on the film's tone, with some finding it inconsistent, and its script, which was seen by some as recycling jokes from the first film. The film's handling of female characters was also a point of discussion. The deaths of Vanessa and Cable's wife and daughter, which motivate the male protagonists, were cited as examples of the 'fridging' trope. Director David Leitch and the writers stated they were not consciously aware of the term during production, noting they aimed to create suffering for the heroes and that the deaths are ultimately reversed via time travel by the film's end.

The film included several notable elements of representation. Negasonic Teenage Warhead is revealed to be in a same-sex relationship with Yukio, marking the first openly LGBTQ relationship depicted in a Marvel film. GLAAD praised this as a milestone for inclusive storytelling. Actor Julian Dennison also noted the significance of his casting, expressing excitement at representing a body type not commonly seen in superhero films for young audiences.

Sequel and integration into the MCU

The success of Deadpool 2 and the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney paved the way for the character's future within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Development on a third film began with Ryan Reynolds heavily involved. The sequel, titled Deadpool & Wolverine, was officially announced and pairs Reynolds' Deadpool with Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. This film integrates the characters into the MCU, marking a significant shift from the previous X-Men film series continuity. Deadpool & Wolverine was released on July 26, 2024, as part of Phase Five of the MCU. The film's legacy includes its record-breaking box office run for an R-rated film and its role in demonstrating the commercial viability of adult-oriented superhero content.

A PG-13 rated version of the film, titled Once Upon a Deadpool, was released on December 12, 2018. Deadpool 2 is a 2018 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Deadpool. Ryan Reynolds stars in the title role. Josh Brolin signed a four-film deal for the role of Cable. Following the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney, Deadpool's film rights were returned to Marvel Studios. A sequel, Deadpool & Wolverine, starring Reynolds and Hugh Jackman and integrating their characters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was released on July 26, 2024.

Key filming locations in Canada

Principal photography for Deadpool 2 took place entirely within the province of British Columbia, contributing to the local film industry. The production utilized several soundstages and locations around Vancouver and its surrounding areas. Filming occurred from June to October 2017, with the schedule accommodating the complex action sequences and visual effects required for the story. The use of Canadian locations and crew is a consistent feature of the X-Men film series, with British Columbia providing a versatile backdrop for both urban and more isolated settings like the fictional Ice Box prison.

The production created several key sets within studio facilities. The X-Mansion interiors were constructed on soundstages, as were the sets for Weasel's bar and the interior of the Ice Box prison. Location shooting around Vancouver provided the urban environments for the convoy chase and other street-level action. The film's reliance on British Columbia's film infrastructure highlights the province's role as a major hub for Hollywood productions, often referred to as Hollywood North. The production period lasted from June to October 2017, with Vancouver serving as the central hub for all filming activity.

• Primary filming period: June 2017 to October 2017.
• Province: British Columbia.
• Major hub: Vancouver and surrounding areas.
• Key types of locations: Soundstages for interior sets, urban Vancouver streets for action sequences.

Questions about Deadpool 2

Who plays Cable in Deadpool 2?

Cable is portrayed by Josh Brolin. The role involved an extensive casting search before Brolin was selected. He signed a four-film deal with the studio, with his appearance in Deadpool 2 serving as an introduction to the character. Brolin trained for eleven weeks for the role, working out for three hours a day and forgoing sugar to achieve the character's physicality.

Who directed Deadpool 2?

David Leitch directed Deadpool 2. The film is the sequel to Deadpool (2016) and the eleventh installment in the X Men film series. Leitch was hired after the original director, Tim Miller, left the project in October 2016 due to creative differences with star Ryan Reynolds. The film was written by Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and Ryan Reynolds. Leitch compared the dynamic between Deadpool and Cable to classic buddy cop fare.

What is the connection between Deadpool 2 and the X-Men movies?

Deadpool 2 is the eleventh installment in the X Men film series. The film features X Men characters such as Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead, who are part of the X Mansion. It also includes a brief cameo by other X Men played by James McAvoy, Nicholas Hoult, Evan Peters, Tye Sheridan, Alexandra Shipp, and Kodi Smit McPhee. The film was released by 20th Century Fox before the Disney acquisition returned the character rights to Marvel Studios.

Was Deadpool 2 filmed in Canada?

Yes, Deadpool 2 was filmed in Canada. Principal photography took place in British Columbia from June to October 2017. The production utilized locations and soundstages in this province, which is a common filming location for major studio productions. The filming was completed before the film's premiere in London in May 2018 and its subsequent global release.

What is the PG-13 version of Deadpool 2 called?

The PG 13 rated version of Deadpool 2 is titled Once Upon a Deadpool. It was released on December 12, 2018. This recut version of the film received mixed reviews from critics. The original R rated film was released earlier in 2018 and became the highest grossing R rated film at the time of its release.

How does Deadpool 2 lead into the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

Deadpool 2 does not directly lead into the Marvel Cinematic Universe within its own plot. However, following the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney, Deadpool's film rights were returned to Marvel Studios. This allowed for a sequel, Deadpool & Wolverine, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, which integrates the characters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That film was released on July 26, 2024, as part of Phase Five of the MCU.

Sources and further reading

• Deadpool 2 (Wikipedia)
• Deadpool 2 | Watch on Disney+ (disneyplus.com)
• Deadpool 2 (amazon.ca)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-11-03.