The internet came alive when it was announced that frenemies Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds would finally be working together as their most well-known and beloved characters, Deadpool and Wolverine. Deadpool 3 will see them teaming up for what appears to be some kind of multiversal hijinks, and fans cannot wait to see what is in store.
Despite having said he was done with the character, Jackman is returning to his most well-loved role as Logan a.k.a Wolverine after agreeing to return to the role specifically to play a part in the mad world of Deadpool. Reynolds has been trolling Jackman for some time, referencing both the actor and his character in Deadpool and Deadpool 2, and getting him on board for the third film in the franchise has been a goal for Reynolds’ for some time.
Now it is finally happening! Production is underway and fans getting even more hyped after set photos leaked showing that, not only is Jackman back, but he is also sporting a rather delightful yellow number. With all the attention this film is getting thanks to this team-up, fans may feel an urge to fill themselves up on some great Reynolds and Jackman content in preparation, but spread it out if you can, as at the time of writing we still have almost a whole year to go before Deadpool 3 is in theatres.
Whilst it would be obvious to make this list up of entirely Marvel films (you can check that out here) let’s have a look at some of the other offerings these actors have provided us over the years, though we may throw in a few classic Wolverine/Deadpool movies near the bottom for you – we couldn’t resist.
Free Guy
If you want some classic Reynolds action-comedy look no further than Free Guy. Reynolds plays an NPC character in a video game that develops consciousness and sets out to be a good guy in a game designed to bring out the worst in people, but the real threat comes from the outside world, with his entire existence at stake.
Not only does it feature the actor as the titular character it is also directed by Shawn Levy who is at the helm of Deadpool 3. The combination of these two works great here with bawdy comedy (much like in Deadpool) also tempered with great action sequences and plenty of heart.
The Prestige
Starring Jackman opposite Christian Bale, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine, and even a guest appearance from David Bowie, The Prestige is a must-watch. Jackman and Bale play two magicians at war with one another after a trick gone wrong turns into a tragedy and something bigger than a simple illusion sets them both on a dark path.
Directed by Christopher Nolan, Jackman here plays a character overcome with the desire to be the best, and he doesn’t care what he has to do, or who he has to hurt, to achieve that.
The Adam Project
Yet another Levy/Reynolds combination, The Adam Project is a family film with a lot of heart and plenty of adventure. Reynolds plays adult Adam, who has traveled back in time from a future torn apart by the work of his father (Mark Ruffalo). But first, he needs the help of his younger self, played by the excellent casting of Walker Scobell.
With some very similar tropes that also featured in Deadpool 2, Reynolds traveling through time to save the love of his life, The Adam Project is a much more family-friendly movie but still retains that Reynolds wit that today’s theatergoers love so much.
The Greatest Showman
Jackman has a phenomenal voice, and if you didn’t know this already, where the hell have you been? He has utilized this in a number of on-stage productions and films, but The Greatest Showman has to be one of his most joyful musical films to date. Here he plays the role of P. T Barnum, a boy born with nothing who creates a magical circus full of delights and spectacles where society’s outcasts take center stage.
Though this is most definitely a glossed-over retelling of the events on which the film is based (the real P. T Barnum was a tad more evil) Jackman’s character goes through a fall from grace before finding redemption that we love to see. This film will leave you high-spirited and no doubt signing its well-loved tunes for years to come.
Red Notice
If you are looking forward to the banter that will arise from Deadpool and Wolverine working together then you may want to first check out Red Notice. Here Reynolds acts opposite Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, another actor who appears to be everywhere right now, as enemies turned accomplices attempting to pull off an international heist. Once again, Reynolds’ comedic chops are turned up to the max and there is plenty of action and adventure to be had.
Though a little formulaic, audiences tuned in en masse for Red Notice, with it becoming the most-viewed film on Netflix upon its release.
Prisoners
If you are looking for something a little heavier than the above offerings, then you can check out Jackman in Prisoners. Here he plays a father desperately trying to find his missing daughter with the aid of Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal), but he isn’t going to just sit back and let the police do their jobs as he takes matters into his own hands.
This mystery thriller from director Denis Villeneuve leaves you on the edge of your seat as it is full of twists and turns with fantastic performances given by Jackman and Gyllenhaal.
Les Misérables
One of the highlights of Jackman’s musical career was taking on the role of Jean Valjean in the film adaption of Les Misérables. Jackman gave a powerful performance as the reformed prisoner on the run from the scrupulous Javert and it earned him his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the 2013 Academy Awards.
Definitely, Maybe
For a change of pace from the above comedies and drama, perhaps a rom-com is on the cards. Definitely, Maybe sees Reynolds taking on the role of a father telling his daughter about how he met her mother, leaving the reveal ambiguous until the very end (think How I Met Your Mother). The film does some great things that set it apart from normal rom-coms, showing the ups and downs of multiple relationships all set against the political landscape of the U.S. during the ’90s.
Though his humor is still present here, Reynolds plays a much more grounded character than he has played in recent years creating a sweet yet still funny character that we can relate to.
Though the film is an ensemble production, with many actors shining brightly including Anne Hathaway who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, Jackman still gave a standout performance that let everyone know just how talented he really his.
Logan
It would be remiss of us to have a list of films to watch to get hyped for Deadpool 3 without including at least one for each actor in their Marvel roles. Of all the films Wolverine appears in, Logan has to be the standout, with Jackman delivering a heartbreaking performance as the aging character surviving on the fringes of civilization.
Logan was unlike any Wolverine film before it, and both Jackman and Reynolds have assured us that the character’s presence in Deadpool 3 in no way affects the events of his last film which many felt was the best send-off possible for the character, even if we did all leave the theatres in tears.
Deadpool
Of course, if you want to get ready for Deadpool 3 you have to go back to where it all began for this character. Reynolds plays the titular character, the Merc With A Mouth, the crass, bad, and mad Deadpool. When Wade Wilson discovers he has an untreatable cancer he leaves his love Vanessa to seek out more “unusual” treatments, treatments which leave him disfigured but also with the ability to regenerate, making him virtually unkillable.
The first Deadpool is Reynolds’s baby, with the actor working behind the scenes for years to get this film off the ground and give fans a true representation of this character. It was a breath of fresh air in the superhero genre, and fans went wild for it allowing us a second and now third film to grace the big screen.
Bonus: X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Okay, don’t be mad, we had to add this. Despite being one of the worst Wolverine films and initially destroying the character of Deadpool, this was the film where Reynolds and Jackman started their love affair with one another. It is very likely that the events of this film will somehow pop up or at least be discussed in Deadpool 3 (it’s already made an appearance in Deadpool 2) so perhaps it may be worth a watch.
You have until May 3, 2024 to watch all these films, as that is when Deadpool 3 will finally give us the Wolverine/Deadpool relationship we’ve always wanted. Perhaps it’ll finally answer the age-old question; which immortal, self-healing superhero would win in a fight?
Published: Jul 11, 2023 11:26 pm