It seems the stakes for superhero box office glory have never been higher! With the theatrical release of Deadpool & Wolverine swiftly approaching, the buzz is all about whether the charming Ryan Reynolds, flanked by the iconic Hugh Jackman and a cavalcade of cameo stars, can shatter Benedict Cumberbatch’s impressive MCU record set by Doctor Strange 2.
Fans have conjectured about the future of the Deadpool franchise ever since Disney acquired 20th Century Fox in March 2019, particularly in light of the enormous success it saw from the 2016 original film & its 2018 sequel.
Industry insiders predict that Marvel Studios/Disney’s upcoming Deadpool 3 will earn an astounding $160 to $165 million during the opening weekend. This potential triumph, however, pales in comparison to the record-breaking opening weekend of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Will Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool 3 Surpass Expectations or Lag Behind Doctor Strange 2?
As the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand and evolve, it seems like every superhero is vying for the top spot. With the highly anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine set to release later this month, fans are filled with excitement. And who can blame them?
With Ryan Reynolds reprising his role as the snarky Deadpool and teaming up with none other than Hugh Jackman, this film has all the makings of a box-office smash. But despite all the star power and hype surrounding Shawn Levy’s forthcoming flick, there’s one superhero that may prove to be a tough contender to beat: Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange.
Reynolds’ Deadpool 3 is expected to gross between $160 million and $165 million domestically during the power-packed July 26-28 weekend, laying the groundwork for what could be the most triumphant introduction of 2024 (via Deadline). Poised to shatter the previous benchmarks set by its own predecessor, this R-rated sensation is eyeing a spot that none other than the first Deadpool flick holds. The latter made a staggering $132.4 million on its opening weekend (Box Office Mojo).
And while Deadpool & Wolverine may have a strong opening weekend, it’s going to take more than just Jackman’s support and multiple cameos to surpass the record set by Doctor Strange 2. Yes, with Cumberbatch’s film grossing $187.4 million in its first weekend at the domestic box office (see Box Office Mojo), Deadpool 3 will face a tough challenge to outperform it.
But in the world of superheroes, anything is possible. As they say, ‘it ain’t over till it’s over’.
Deadpool 3: Shawn Levy Warns Fans To Anticipate ‘a Lot’ of Cameos
As we eagerly await the dynamic duo of Deadpool & Wolverine in Shawn Levy’s much-anticipated superhero flick, we can’t resist speculating about the star-studded surprises we are bound to encounter. In a recent chat with Entertainment Weekly, the director promised that the latest Marvel masterpiece will be generously sprinkled with “a lot of characters”, making for a cameo-rich adventure.
Levy, a master of cinematic spice, has artfully hinted that the appearances, while abundant, are “peppered throughout” to complement, not overshadow, our beloved protagonists’ tale. To quote him:
We didn’t want any of the cameos or characters to be the story of the movie. But they are peppered in throughout. There’s a lot of characters. The internet is a delight of rumors about the multitude of character cameos that are in this movie.
In Deadpool 3, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman star as the mercurial mercenary Deadpool and the adamantium-clawed Wolverine, respectively. The film also features Emma Corrin and Matthew Macfadyen.
As a part of Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Deadpool & Wolverine is slated for release on July 26, 2024.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is streaming on Disney+.
