Variants play a key role in Deadpool and Wolverine but I’m shocked to learn that the MCU’s best montage scene almost didn’t happen. For the vast majority of the film, Hugh Jackman portrays “Worst Wolverine.“This is a variant of a universe in which the X-Men were eradicated by a mob of humans, causing him to kill the perpetrators before, it is implied, he went too far and murdered innocents. This leads Wolverine to become an alcoholic with a particularly belligerent personality, unlike his slightly more accepting variant on Deadpool’s Earth-10005.
Worst Wolverine isn’t the only variant that appears in Deadpool and Wolverinehowever. After Deadpool gets his hands on Paradox’s tempad, he crosses universes in search of a variant of Wolverine to replace his universe’s anchor being, Logan. This triggers a montage set to Huey Lewis and the News’ “The power of love“featuring several variants of Wolverine portrayed primarily by Jackman, though”Cavilrina” certainly stood out. The entire scene is a highlight, so I’m shocked to learn it almost never happened.
Assembling Deadpool and Wolverine’s Logan Variant Wasn’t the Original Plan
Deadpool and Wolverine editors explained that they initially didn’t have all the necessary pieces
Assembled: The Making of Deadpool & Wolverine reveals how Marvel’s billion-dollar film was made through interviews and behind-the-scenes excerpts. These interviews revealed details like how the Scarlet Witch effigy arrived at the resistance hideout and Channing Tatum’s shock at wearing a Gambit costume with comic precision. Almost halfway through the featurette, Deadpool and Wolverine editors, Shane Reid and Dean Zimmerman, also mentioned how the Wolverine montage scene was almost just a pipe dreamstating:
“When we put everything together, I almost wanted to be that set up. But we didn’t have enough parts to make an assembly. So it wasn’t until we showed Shawn “here’s what we’re thinking,” and suddenly it was like- well, let’s get John Byrne’s brown and beige costume, let’s get Wolverine on the cross, let’s get Cavillrine.”
Editors keep saying that his intention was to display “deep cut“Marvel Comics variants as a tribute to Wolverine’s biggest fans and his iconic legacy. They also express how accommodating Marvel Studios was in this effort, granting them access to the Hulk to replicate one of the most iconic comic book covers in Marvel history. It was a wise move by Marvel, as the entire scene helped make Deadpool and Wolverine as celebrated as it is today.
The Deadpool and Wolverine variant montage ended up being one of the best scenes in the film
Fitted into the narrative by celebrating Wolverine’s legacy
Deadpool and Wolverine is full of iconic moments, with not one, but two fights between the titular characters and the resistance against Cassandra Nova, made up of beloved heroes from Marvel films past, being highlights. It also started strong with Wolverine’s decimation of the TVA agents and the desecration of Logan’s corpse to the tune of “Bye, bye, bye.” Yet the Wolverine montage was an amalgamation of everything he did Deadpool and Wolverine so goodwhich includes cameos, irreverence, action, fan service and humor in the space of just a few minutes.
It didn’t feel stuck at all either. While moments like Wolverine’s montage can sometimes feel unnecessary, Deadpool’s jaunt through the multiverse was entirely justified as he searched for a replacement anchor being. While I’m sure I’m not alone in wishing I’d seen a bit more of Cavillrine, It was also the perfect time to celebrate Wolverine’s legacy without feeling overwhelmed.
I’m so glad the Deadpool and Wolverine variant montage was added to the movie
It was the perfect use of the multiverse
I find it kind of ironic that Deadpool continues to criticize the concept of the multiverse later in the film, right after proving its benefits with the Wolverine montage. The scene proves how the multiverse is perfect for celebrating the colorful stories of Marvel characters without going to extremes to completely alter their characters. Having Earth-10005’s Logan adopt the Patch persona of Wolverine in Fox’s X-Men films, for example, would likely have felt shoehorned in and not entirely in keeping with his long-running characterization throughout his film career.
Ultimately, Deadpool and Wolverine was the perfect example of how the multiverse provides a strong narrative tool, even when it’s shamelessly used to satisfy comic book fans.
I’m also excited to hear how cooperative Marvel Studios has been throughout the creative process. While we were all expecting lots of cameos, seeing Hulk – even if just for a few seconds – appear in Deadpool and Wolverine it was a moment similar to some of the best collaborations and cameos in MCU history. Ultimately, Deadpool and Wolverine was the perfect example of how the multiverse provides a strong narrative tool, even when it’s shamelessly used to satisfy comic book fans. I’m here for it and I hope we see more.