Summary
Deadpool & Wolverinebreaks a trend from the other films in the franchise, but there is an in-universe reason that explains why. One ofDeadpool 3’s more surprising elements was how brutally honest it was toward theMCU. It mocked how messy Marvel’s Multiverse Saga has been, and it even said that Wolverine was joining at a low point. It’s no surprise thatDeadpool & Wolverinewas filled with meta-commentary and referencesas that is Wade Wilson’s trademark brand of comedy, but it was refreshing to see that Marvel wasn’t afraid to make fun of itself.
This also carried over Deadpool’s tendency to poke fun at Ryan Reynolds and his career. There were a few references to his wife,Blake Lively, who also has a cameo as Lady Deadpool, and a hilarious reference to his romantic comedy,The Proposal. However, it didn’t mention Reynolds' first superhero outing,Green Lantern, which is still regarded as one of DC’s worst films even years later. It’s the first Deadpool film that hasn’t included a reference to it, but there is an in-universe reason for it that was established inDeadpool 2.
Deadpool & Wolverine Ending Explained
Deadpool & Wolverine’s ending is filled with multiversal stakes, insane cameos, and big teases for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Deadpool & Wolverine Is The Only Deadpool Movie That Doesn’t Reference Green Lantern
Deadpool & Deadpool 2 take shots at the infamous DC film.
It’s no secret that Reynolds is critical of 2011’sGreen Lantern. It’s clear he isn’t the only one, as the film holds a 25% critic score and a 45% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Poor reviews led toGreen Lanternunderperforming at the box office, grossing $220 million worldwide on a $200 million budget. Many of the film’s criticisms included its generic script, boring characters, and awkward CGI. Fortunately, Reynolds has an excellent sense of humor and turned the film into a recurring joke in the first two Deadpool films.
Deadpoolincludes two jokes directed atGreen Lantern. The first is in the opening scene when the camera pans past a Green Lantern trading card flying from someone’s wallet. The second joke is right before Wade undergoes his experimental cancer treatment, when Wade says, “Please don’t make the super suit green…or animated,” referencing the notorious CGI Green Lantern suit from the film.Reynolds goes even further with his Green Lantern hatred inDeadpool 2, when Deadpool time travels and kills Reynolds while he’s holding theGreen Lanternscript.
Deadpool & Wolverine Not Referencing Green Lantern Was Explained In Deadpool 2
The absence of a Green Lantern joke does stick with Deadpool 3’s continuity.
The post-credit scenes fromDeadpool 2make many changes to Deadpool’s timeline. Firstly, the antihero saves Vanessa from getting killed at the film’s beginning, letting her live on for an appearance in theDeadpool & Wolverinecast. Deadpool also kills the version of himself Fox gave audiences inX-Men Origins: Wolverine- who was much criticized for being rendered unable to speak and thus decidedly different to the traditional character - and offs Reynolds prior to makingGreen Lantern.
Since Deadpool killed Reynolds before he filmed his role as Hal Jordan,Green Lanterndoesn’t exist in Deadpool’s reality. This meansDeadpool can’t reference it inDeadpool & Wolverine,because it technically never happened. Deadpool could still remember it since he is aware of things outside his universe, but it would also be redundant to keep harping onGreen Lantern. Putting a bullet through Reynolds' head, specifically to stop him from making the film, is a heavy indictment, and it gets the message across efficiently.
How Deadpool & Wolverine Still Makes Plenty Of Jokes At DC’s Expense
Deadpool doesn’t hold back against his rival superhero studio.
WhileGreen Lanterndidn’t take any punches inDeadpool & Wolverine, DC was not safe from Wade’s meta humor. The film features two hilarious jokes aimed at DC, mocking the DCEU’s failure. One DC joke comes when Wade travels the multiverse, searching for a Wolverine who can become the Fox universe’s next anchor being. He meets aWolverine variant played by Henry Cavill, who he gives the name “The Cavillrine.” He says that Cavill as Wolverine “feels right” and that Marvel will “treat you so much better than those st fks down the street.”
Cavill was a great Superman, but his journey as the character got muddled by the DCEU. He was replaced by David Corenswet inSupermanin the DCU, despite returning for a post-credit scene inBlack Adam. Notably, Deadpool pokes fun at The Rock’s DC character, saying Wolverine will “change the hierarchy of power in the MCU.” Dwayne Johnson used this line to hype up Black Adam’s DCEU debut, but it fell flat after the film’s disappointing box office performance. As such, whileDeadpool & Wolverinedoesn’t directly lambastGreen Lantern, it still sends some jokes in DC’s direction.
