The backlash came thick and fast when a PG-13 cut of Deadpool 2 was first announced, with fan reactions ranging from baffled to infuriated at the idea of seeing a neutered version of the Merc with a Mouth on the big screen. But while the Wade Wilson of Once Upon a Deadpool probably won’t be making a lot parents mad, this first trailer still sees the franchise stay on mischievous brand when it bites the hand that feeds it.
The family-friendly reworking of the Ryan Reynolds-led sequel is set to feature Fred Savage in a parody of his role in The Princess Bride, and as Deadpool reads him the censored version of his latest adventure, the old Wonder Years star shows that he’s not the sweet kid he was back in the ‘80s. The moment is saved for the end of the trailer, when Savage mentions that he “kinda prefer[s] Marvel movies.” When Deadpool responds, “We are Marvel,” the grown up child star answers “Yeah, but you’re Marvel licensed by Fox. It’s like if The Beatles were produced by Nickelback. It’s music, but it sucks.”
Brutal, and you could argue that the line becomes even harsher when you take into account that Disney are about to absorb Fox into their ever-growing empire thanks to the impending merger. After that, Wade should be free to enter the MCU, raising the question of whether this PG-13 Deadpool 2 will be seen in retrospect as a trial run for the Disneyfication of the character.
Chances are, we’re still a long way from finding out what Kevin Feige and his team have in mind for the antihero, but in the meantime, Once Upon a Deadpool will be having a two-week run in cinemas from December 12th.
