The first trailer for Once Upon a Deadpool may primarily be teasing the impending arrival of the Deadpool 2 PG-13 cut, but it could also be said that the footage contains a nod or two to a much bigger Marvel-related development on the horizon – namely, the Disney/Fox deal.
That’s one way of interpreting the Easter Egg visible in the film’s newly added scenes featuring the Merc with a Mouth opposite a kidnapped Fred Savage. Specifically, right behind the head of the Wonder Years star, you can see what looks to be a Captain America action figure on the shelf. Some fans have even identified this item to be part of the Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars line put out in 1984 and 1985, which lines up pretty well with the scene’s callback to 1987’s The Princess Bride.
Steve Rogers isn’t the only Disney property that gets a shout out in this one-minute teaser though, with Wade Wilson himself also giving a mention to Pixar’s Up. But the reference that’s by far the most likely to leave an impression with viewers is Savage’s brutal takedown of Fox’s Marvel output, likening this licensing arrangement to The Beatles being produced by Nickelback while suggesting that Marvel Studios is offering the real deal.
Though Savage doesn’t mention Disney by name here, it’s hard not to hear these comments and think about how Deadpool will soon be property of the Mouse House. And with Wade nearly eligible to enter the MCU, it’s understandable that some fans are fretting that a PG-13 rating will become the new norm for the character.
Perhaps that’s an issue to worry about further down the line, but for now, Once Upon a Deadpool is gearing up for a two-week run in cinemas from December 12th.
