The Rise of Deadpool After its Release
The Rise of Deadpool After its Release
It was probably one of the most unlikely hits of 2016. Fans were skeptical that a movie about the somewhat obscure comic book character Deadpool could make it at the box office. But as it turns out, Ryan Reynolds' portrayal of the "Merc with a Mouth" was spot on and Deadpool picked up a strong fan base around the world.
Box Office Success
Deadpool's original budget was estimated to be around $58 million, which, while modest for a feature film, was still a risk considering the character's cult following. However, Deadpool was one of the biggest successes of 2016. It went on to become the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, making over $783 million worldwide.
Deadpool's Impact on Pop Culture
The success of Deadpool put its lead actor, Ryan Reynolds, in the spotlight. It also gave the usually minor character a central role in pop culture. From custom action figures to parodies of the movie on late-night TV, Deadpool was everywhere. Some fans even took it to the next level and recreated the movie's iconic wardrobe for cosplay.
A Sequel and a Spinoff
The popularity of Deadpool led to the making of a sequel that came out in 2018. Deadpool 2 went on to make over $785 million at the box office and received both critical and fan praise. Fox also spawned off a spinoff entitled X-Force, which featured a number of characters from the Deadpool universe.
Deadpool's Continuing Popularity
The movie's continuing success has even spurred the idea of a fourth Deadpool movie in some circles. Deadpool 3 has yet to get a green light from Marvel, but fans are hoping that the character will continue to captivate movie-goers with his signature blend of action and humor. Who knows, maybe he will team up with Spider-Man one day.