Deadpool & Wolverine have brought numerous different variations of the main characters. In this context, Deadpool is still the version from Earth-10005 (which is the cinematic universe of X-Men prior to 20th Century Fox). However, Wolverine, although portrayed by Hugh Jackman, represents a completely new version, emerging from a reality where this superhero has become a villain because he was unable to protect those he loved.
Throughout the film, Wolverine is constantly haunted by the mistakes and crimes of his past. The thing that makes him become so difficult, distant, and always hostile towards anyone who wants to get close, including Wade Wilson. The tragic story of Wolverine is inspired by a famous event in the original Marvel comic series and has a significant impact on the emotions and personality of the character Logan.
Major tragic events involving Wolverine and the X-Men
In the comic book Old Man Logan, Wolverine was manipulated and tragically deceived by the supervillain Mysterio. Using his skill with illusions, Mysterio made Logan believe that the X-Mansion was under siege by a group of supervillains from Marvel.
In a moment of overwhelming despair to protect the few remaining heroes and his home, Wolverine unleashed his full rage and drowned in a bloodlust. However, after coming to his senses, he realized that those he had killed were his fellow X-Men – the beloved friends he had lost during this tragic journey.
Mysterio’s trick had devastating consequences for Wolverine, causing him severe psychological trauma, driving him into feelings of guilt, remorse, and a constant sense of loss as he had slaughtered those he loved most.
This tragic story has been partially explored in the blockbuster Logan (2017) by Fox. In the film, Wolverine is depicted as someone who has to bear the responsibility for a tragic event, while Charles Xavier/Professor X frequently hints at something horrifying that had occurred. However, audiences experienced a shocking twist when Logan revealed that Xavier was the one who had unintentionally killed the X-Men, referred to as “the Westchester incident,” which left the elderly Professor devastated and led to the deaths of hundreds, including several Mutants. Subsequently, Wolverine had to use sedatives to keep Xavier from causing further tragedies.
The Deadpool & Wolverine movie recently released also hints at a tragic event where Wolverine is the cause of the catastrophe.
The events of the new blockbuster
Deadpool & Wolverine also portrays a tragic, alternate reality, with many significant changes compared to the original. In this version, the X-Men massacre is not caused by Logan or Xavier but arises from a group of ordinary people. While Wolverine is busy getting drunk at a bar, this group has attacked the X-Mansion and brutally killed many mutants. Upon returning and discovering what happened, Wolverine was completely devastated, constantly feeling guilt and overwhelming remorse.
To erase his dark past, Wolverine has been continuously searching for and hunting down various Marvel supervillains. This detail serves as a nod to the original comic story, where Logan, under Mysterio’s influence, has killed countless different villains without realizing they were his friends.
The approach and exploitation of themes in Deadpool & Wolverine have brought a fresh perspective on the tragedy in the original story. Marvel Studios has removed the elements of illusions, deception, and instead places the responsibility and consequences of every action on the characters.
Although the character development and thematic elements still retain their essence (loss and emotional burden), these changes in context have allowed Marvel Studios to explore Wolverine in a new and distinct way. After all, they have succeeded in achieving their goal of exploring a new aspect of Logan: a Wolverine who is bitter, distant, and always feels regretful, haunted by the mistakes of his past.
Source: ScreenRant
