With Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s Deadpool & Wolverine being closer than ever to the theaters, entertainment outlets are dropping iconic anecdotes surrounding the film and its making. Similarly, one such exciting story caught our attention, that revolves around a particular song used in the Deadpool threequel.
Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, and even filmmaker Shawn Levy had apparently poured a herculean effort into obtaining permission from Madonna to use her 1989 hit Like a Prayer. Well, the song’s inclusion in the film is a big deal, since it has only been used once before in a film- Drew Barrymore’s Never Been Kissed.
Securing the Rights to Like a Prayer Wasn’t an Easy Feat for Ryan Reynolds
During the post-production phase for Deadpool & Wolverine, Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, and director Shawn Levy mutually agreed on one particular aspect. According to THR, the trio unanimously wanted one of Madonna’s hitmakers to get used in the film. Although the particular sequence where the song got used, has not been revealed, it’s certainly an interesting story about how they all sought the singer’s permission.
Securing the rights to Madonna’s 1989 hit Like a Prayer, was no easy feat for the Deadpool & Wolverine crew. Therefore, during their interview with Andy Cohen on SiriusXM, Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds revealed how the team undertook a personal visit to the pop icon, to obtain permission for the song’s use.
It did involve a personal visit to Madonna, where we showed Madonna the sequence where ‘Like a Prayer’ would be used. Levy explained.
Also, let’s preface it with the fact that they don’t license – that Madonna doesn’t just license the song, particularly that song. It was a big deal to ask for it and certainly a bigger deal to use it. We went over and met with her and sort of showed her how it was being used, and where, and why. Reynolds stated.
Further joking about how their meeting with Madonna felt like a Royal visit, Ryan Reynolds quite obviously joked about asking one of the singer’s team members how he should appropriately address her. But eventually, their visit paid off well, since the Material Girl singer permitted them to use the song.
She gave a great note. She watched it, and I’m not kidding, [she said], ‘You need to do this.’ And damn it, if she wasn’t like spot on. Reynolds said.
We literally went into a new recording session within 48 hours to do this note. It made the sequence better. Levy added.
Since we know now that we will get to hear Madonna’s Like a Prayer in one iconic sequence in the movie, we must say that the choice of the song is particularly noteworthy. More than anything, using the particular song as a soundtrack in the film marks a significant moment, considering its previous rarity in cinematic contexts.
TV Shows and Films Using Madonna’s 1989 Hitmaker as a Soundtrack
Madonna’s endorsement of Like a Prayer not only demonstrated her enduring influence in the entertainment industry but also added a layer of prestige to the soundtrack for Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s upcoming film. The song’s placement in the movie is thus expected to resonate strongly with fans, especially given how rarely it has appeared in films and shows.
According to ScreenRant, while Madonna has left an indelible mark on not just the music industry but on popular culture in general Like a Prayer surprisingly made rare features in films and shows. Well, to be specific, the 1989 hitmaker might have appeared in TV shows like In Living Color, Absolutely Fabulous, and Derry Girls, but has only ever appeared once in a film.
Despite receiving widespread critical and commercial acclaim, Madonna‘s Like a Prayer was only once used in Drew Barrymore’s 1999 cult classic Never Been Kissed. Therefore, considering the song’s rarity in films, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s Deadpool & Wolverine using it, will likely elevate their movie’s narrative and underscore its dramatic sequence.
Deadpool & Wolverine hits theaters on July 26, 2024.
