Who would have guessed that Peggy, affectionately dubbed Britain’s ugliest dog, would leap from quirky contests to cinematic stardom, winning our hearts &, of course, sharing the limelight with superhero icons in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)? Certainly not us!
Yet, in a plot twist worthy of Hollywood itself, the remarkable pooch who snatched the title and our fondness is slated to appear as Dogpool in the much-anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine flick. Ryan Reynolds — no stranger to finding the extraordinary in the unpredictable — beamed with excitement in his Empire magazine feature, praising Peggy’s perfect portrayal of Deadpool’s alter-ego, Wade Wilson’s spirit.
And with her meteoric rise, it begs the question: might Wild Thang, the adorably unconventional victor of the 2024 ‘World’s Ugliest Dog’ contest, follow in Peggy’s paw prints into the MCU?
The UK’s ‘Ugliest Dog’ Set to Steal the Show in Ryan Reynolds’ Film
Ryan Reynolds has made headlines for casting Britain’s ugliest dog, Peggy, as Dogpool in the upcoming MCU film Deadpool & Wolverine.
In a recent interview with UK-based magazine Empire, the actor expressed his excitement for casting Peggy as Dogpool, describing her as the “animal manifestation” of Deadpool’s alter-ego Wade Wilson:
Her real name is Peggy. The reason why I was a huge proponent for her was because she feels like the animal manifestation of Wade Wilson.
Peggy, a cross between a Chinese crested breed and a pug, has captured the hearts of fans with her unconventional beauty. The BBC reported that on January 2023, Peggy took home the coveted title of being Britain’s ugliest dog. Reynolds, 47, sees Peggy as the perfect companion for Deadpool and is eager to see their on-screen chemistry in action.
It’s love at first sight.
Dogpool made his debut in a Marvel comic book in 2010. According to Reynolds, the character “was, just like many things during the writing process, a tiny little afterthought, and it grew” as Deadpool & Wolverine was being produced. The actor further praised Peggy’s performance on set, highlighting her professionalism and dedication to her role:
It was one of those things where you just keep listening to the movie, and Dogpool became a staple.
The dynamic between Deadpool and Dogpool promises to add a unique and heartwarming touch to the action-packed storyline. Having her own Dogpool Instagram page, Peggy was also featured in a still from the upcoming film that Reynolds posted on his own platform in December of last year.
Fur Real: Why the World’s Ugliest Dog Deserves a Spot in the MCU?
Now, with the recent announcement of Wild Thang as the winner of the 2024 World’s Ugliest Dog title (via ABC30 News), we can rightfully speculate whether Ryan Reynolds will bring this unique pup into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The World’s Ugliest Dog champion for this year, Wild Thang, has gained admirers worldwide. The 8-year-old Pekingese has competed in the contest four times, finally clinching the crown this year. Rome, a 14-year-old pug, was the People’s Choice winner and runner-up. His owner, Michelle Grady, said:
Rome is an amazing pet. I mean he is just very personable. He is very, he is pretty much everybody’s favorite.
With Deadpool & Wolverine set to thrill audiences next month, fans eagerly await the on-screen chemistry between Reynolds’ Deadpool, Hugh Jackman’s Logan, and the remarkable Peggy, proving that every underdog has its day—even in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
That being said, with his unconventional looks and lovable personality, Wild Thang could be the perfect addition to Reynolds’ canine collection. Whether it’s sharing the screen with Deadpool, Wolverine, or other beloved Marvel characters, Wild Thang is sure to leave a lasting hunch on fans of all ages.
Deadpool & Wolverine is set to hit theaters on July 26.
