The outrageous Deadpool and Wolverine features one of the strangest multiverse sequences in superhero movie history, and it turns out that behind the scenes it looked even wilder. In the franchise-blending MCU film, Deadpool traverses the multiverse to find a variant of Wolverine. This leads to a bizarre and surreal moment involving a Wolverine crucified on a giant X-shaped cross. Taken straight from the comics, this reference was one of the most moving, and according to Assembled: The Making of Deadpool & Wolverineit seemed even weirder in real life and almost never happened.
Deadpool and Wolverine depicts the eponymous antiheroes joining the MCU timeline. During this, Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool encounters an impressive array of Wolverine variants taken straight from the comics. These include Patch, Age of Apocalypse Wolverine, John Byrne’s iconic yellow and brown suit Wolverine, Old Man Logan, and a version based on Mysterious X-Men plot “Fever Dream”, a comic book where Wolverine is crucified. This chaotic mix of multiverse madness culminates in an unforgettable visual. But seeing how this scene was filmed adds a new layer of appreciation to one of the film’s standout moments.
Deadpool and Wolverine crossover scene looks even weirder without effects
The crossover scene was filmed with a mix of practical and CGI effects
According to Assembled: The Making of Deadpool & Wolverinethe sequence with Wolverine crucified on a huge cross underwent extensive practical and visual effects. Before the finishing touches were added, the raw footage looked downright surreal. Shot against a surprisingly vibrant blue screen, the sequence featured a garish wooden X illuminated with vibrant yellow lights, while a sea of glowing red skulls surrounded it.
Hugh Jackman himself was tied to the massive cross, which was created as a complete practical prop to increase the realism of their interactions. Although the final scene is visually stunning, mixing Jackman’s stoic performance with eerie CGI flourishes, the pre-effects footage is unintentionally comical. The exaggerated colors and practical set design look cartoonish without the final polish.
However, the attention to detail in crafting practical elements like the sea of skulls and the huge wooden X highlights director Shawn Levy’s commitment to combining practical filmmaking with CGI. This mix of absurdity and craftsmanship makes the sequence even more fascinating. It shows how the creative team turned an inherently campy comedic moment into cinematic gold.
Deadpool and Wolverine’s X-crossover scene almost didn’t happen
The Wolverine variant montage was added in post-production
The sequence with the X-cross and Wolverine’s crucifixion “Fever Dream” wasn’t even part of the original plan for Deadpool and Wolverine. During post-production, editors Shane Reid and Dean Zimmerman realized that the multiverse storyline felt incomplete. They noted that the scene where Deadpool encounters several variants of Wolverine seemed to require editing, but lacked enough footage to make it work.
When they presented an initial edit to director Shawn Levy, he liked the idea of a montage. The team then quickly consulted comic book fans and Marvel to include even more Wolverine variants. This led to the inclusion of Old Man Logan and the yellow and tan Wolverine with the Hulk.
Levy’s decision to include this striking visual ensured that the montage not only stood out, but also paid homage to one of the most surreal and iconic moments in Wolverine comic book history. This late addition turned what could have been a simple sequence into one of the film’s most memorable sceneshighlighting the film’s dedication to pushing creative limits while respecting the source material.
I’m glad the dream Deadpool and Wolverine Fever reference looks so impressive
The scene was based on Uncanny X-Men #251 (1989)
The decision to include the crucifixion of Mysterious X-Men #251 (1989) as part of Deadpool and WolverineThe assembly of the multiverse is proof of the filmmakers’ boldness in embracing the strangest images from the comics. In the original story, Wolverine is captured and crucified by the Reavers on a huge wooden X.one of the most memorable panels in Wolverine historysymbolizing his relentless spirit and resilience in the face of insurmountable odds.
By recreating this surreal look in Deadpool and Wolverinethe filmmakers delved into the absurdity of the concept while delivering an unforgettable cinematic moment. Instead of basing the scene on realism, the creative team embraced the heightened, almost dreamlike quality of the comics. As a result, the film leaned into exaggerated colors and a surreal atmosphere to bring the comic book cover to life.
of the fox X-Men the films were famous for trying to find a relatively realistic tone, leading to the infamous black leather suits in favor of the iconic vibrant suits. As well as including Wolverine’s canary yellow costume, Deadpool and Wolverine prevealed from the beginning his willingness to bet everything on the source material. In the process, it not only honors Wolverine’s comic book legacy, but also reinforces Deadpool and WolverineA commitment to offering a mix of comic book reverence and cinematic spectacle.