DisneyExaminer

  • Home
  • About
  • Movies
  • Disney+
  • Theme Parks
  • Products
  • Editorials
  • Disneyland Tickets

What could Disney learn from Deadpool?

  • by Arielle Haddad
  • in Opinion + Editorials · Other Disney
  • — 10 Mar, 2016
Via Foxmovies.com

It is the third month of the year and 2016 has already seen monumental film successes, the biggest one so far coming from Fox’s latest comic book-inspired endeavor, Deadpool, which hit theaters last month and has already made over $600 million worldwide. The film was made on a $56 million budget but in its opening weekend alone it had made a whopping $132 million domestically and continues to rake in millions every week. Not only was it a box-office success, but a critical one as well as critics and audiences praised Deadpool for its unrelenting, irreverent humor and extreme violent imagery. Such a massive success made it clear that this film hit all the right notes with audiences worldwide, and certainly has production studios in a tizzy trying to figure out what they can do to follow behind Deadpool’s success.

Deadpool tells the story of a former Special Forces operative turned mercenary who is subjected to an illegal experiment in his quest to cure himself of cancer. The experiment leaves Wade Wilson with accelerated healing powers but horribly disfigured and unable to return to his fiancé’s side, driving him to get revenge on the people who turned him into a monster by becoming Deadpool. This on its own sounds like your typical revenge-action film, but the movie’s well-crafted script aided in delivering a familiar story in a fresh and unique way, utilizing the source material’s comedic characterization of Deadpool and the situations he often ends up in.

The concern people have moving forward is that studios might be looking at Deadpool’s success in the wrong way with the intent of creating films that replicate the comedic and violent formula Deadpool used. While it wasn’t the first R-rated superhero film with violence or humor, it has been the first massive commercial mega-hit and it is understandable that studios would want to make something that follows in line with that charm, but they should seek out new ideas rather than trying to mimic another film.


Disney has shown that they have little issue with seeking out new ideas, having delved into lesser known comic book stories and heroes in the last few years with the release of the animated-hit, Big Hero 6 in 2014 along with Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and Ant-Man (2015) from Marvel. Even the upcoming Doctor Strange, Black Panther, and Captain Marvel films coming in Phase Three of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe show that the Disney has no qualms about diving into new and uncharted territory, seeking to deliver creative stories that have never been shown on the silver screen before.

Also, Bob Iger made it abundantly clear during the Disney Investors Conference Call last month that they have no plans to make any R-rated Marvel films despite the success of Fox’s Deadpool. It makes sense considering the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been bringing in millions just fine with Captain America, Iron Man, and the Avengers films.

That does not mean that Disney still has nothing to learn from Deadpool.

What should be take from Deadpool is a lesson that Disney has already been following for years: to ignore the trends, deliver stories to audiences that they can enjoy, and focus on bringing those stories to life in the best way they can do it.

Deadpool’s success has nothing to do with how much violence it had but everything to do with the fact that the people involved with the film were dedicated to telling a certain story and entertaining audiences despite the small budget they had. Fox’s latest hit filled a certain void people didn’t realize existed with dark comedy and gory action, and it is a void that Disney does not need to explore as they continue to deliver their own creative films that keep audiences filling seats around the world.

Like what you see here on DisneyExaminer? Help support us grow and be rewarded with even more content and experiences by becoming a DisneyExaminer Patron!

print
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Related

Share

— Arielle Haddad

Writing Intern at DisneyExaminer. If magic was real, I'd make it so every day was like a Disney musical. Reach me at arielle@disneyexaminer.com

You may also like...

  • Muppets and THOR. Sequels. 7 Aug, 2013
  • Happy St. Patrick’s Day From DisneyExaminer! 17 Mar, 2012
  • Iron Man Attraction Coming To Hong Kong Disneyland 8 Oct, 2013
  • Beauty in the Books? 14 Nov, 2012
  • Previous story Catch ABC’s “Black-ish” and “Scandal” stars at PaleyFest this year!
  • Next story Watch Spider-Man sling his way into Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe
  • Today is

  • Happening Now

    My Tweets
  • What’s Trending

    animation behind the scenes buena vista street business california adventure cars land christmas D23 expo DCA disney disney animation disney california adventure disney channel disney consumer products disneyexaminer disney interactive disneyland disneyland resort disney movie disney parks disney parks and resorts downtown disney exclusive food frozen FYI lucasfilm main street USA marvel marvel studios movie review new pixar review spoiler free star wars technology the force awakens walt disney walt disney animation studios walt disney company walt disney imagineering walt disney parks and resorts walt disney studios walt disney world
  • News Archive

  • Home
  • Other Disney
  • Opinion + Editorials
  • What could Disney learn from Deadpool?
  • Hiya, Pal

    DisneyExaminer is a premier independent online magazine that takes a closer look at all things Disney.

    Founded and lovingly made in Orange County, California.

  • Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel

  • Search

  • Home
  • About
  • Movies
  • Disney+
  • Theme Parks
  • Products
  • Editorials
  • Disneyland Tickets

© 2008 - 2022 DisneyExaminer. All rights reserved.

 

Loading Comments...