“Deadpool,“ the movie about the über-chatty anti-superhero known as the ”Merc with a Mouth,” just set the record for a Thursday preview—for both an R-rated film and a February release—coming in at an enormous $12.7 million.
On Feb. 12, Deadpool heaped many millions more on, bringing its opening day box office total to $47.5 million.
Deadpool’s not well-known to the general public, but beloved by comic book aficionados. Here are five facts for getting up to speed before seeing the movie.
1) How Ryan Reynolds Got the Part
Reynolds already was Deadpool. Before. And he was steamed about how the character was represented in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”—the character’s mouth was glued shut, totally wrecking the best thing about the “Merc with a Mouth.” So Reynolds campaigned for a number of years to get a better Deadpool incarnated on the silver screen.
Also, the comic book “Deadpool” has talked about Reynolds, saying that he looks like a cross between an actor and a shar-pei (those wrinkly dogs).
Reynolds wants to Febreze all traces of “Green Lantern” stink, so he’s giving his all to Wade Wilson (Deadpool).
2) Deadpool’s an Inveterate Fourth-Wall Breaker
He likes to break the fourth wall constantly (talking to the camera, talking to the audience), with a constantly running motor-mouth commentary on what he’s up to.
Only a few comic characters have this awareness of their existence within a fictional comic book. Deadpool does, and it informs his character, because he likes to talk about the fact. He'll occasionally talk to the artist or the writer working on a particular book he’s in, which tends to confuse any other character within earshot of him.
3) Deadpool’s Highly Intelligent
Despite his juvenile public persona, Wade Wilson is exceedingly smart and tactically sophisticated. He'd have to be; it’s pretty much a basic requirement for anyone attempting to be a special forces military operator. As former Minnesota governor and former U.S. Navy SEAL Jesse Ventura said (approximately), “There are no dumb SEALS. The dumb ones are dead.”
4) Deadpool Likes Children and Animals
While not known as the most moral of superheroes, he does have his own set of ethics. When faced with defenseless animals and children, he’s got a soft heart. Criminals and convicts who suffered abuse as children consider messing with innocence the worst crime of all. Deadpool had a bad childhood, and therefore has compassion for the innocent.
5) Deadpool’s an Organ Donor
Yes, he’s done this. This is easier for him than you and me, because his healing supernormal ability allows him to immediately regrow his organs.
Since by now you all know that this publication talks repeatedly about the practice of forced, live organ-harvesting going on in China right now, let me herewith put a bee in some future Deadpool-writer’s bonnet: give us a script, please, where Deadpool saves all those prisoners of conscience by growing thousands of hearts, livers, and lungs and goes through a marathon donating spree, and saves all those people. And completely destroys the doctors and government officials responsible. You’re welcome, writers.
You’re Good to Go
So, hopefully this “Deadpool for Dummies” was helpful. He’s a comedic psychopath for sure, but as we all know, one should never judge a comic book by its cover. Deadpool is deep!
