In a world where superheroes usually save the day with superpowers and heart, Deadpool is known for adding a unique twist.
The trailer for Deadpool & Wolverine dropped a bombshell, both exciting and puzzling fans and Marvel employees alike.
When Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool cracked a NSFW joke, it wasn’t just the audience left scratching their heads. Even within the hallowed halls of Marvel Studios, the joke needed some explaining.
The red-band trailer featured Deadpool quipping about “pegging,” a term many might remember from the first Deadpool movie. But for some Marvel staff, this was uncharted territory.
Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios’ head honcho, found himself playing educator.
Kevin Feige had to explain the NSFW joke about “pegging” to other Marvel employees as Kevin himself admitted there were people he work with who didn’t know what it was. It turns out that not everyone at Marvel is as well-versed in Deadpool’s raunchy humor as fans might expect. Feige’s candid revelation highlights the sometimes awkward blending of Deadpool’s irreverence with Marvel’s traditionally family-friendly brand.
Deadpool’s Mature Humor Challenges Marvel’s Norms
Marvel is known for its witty and often light-hearted humor. But with Deadpool entering the MCU, the humor is taking a decidedly mature turn.
The upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine film marks Marvel Studios’ first R-rated feature, breaking away from their usual PG-13 fare. Fans have already seen glimpses of this in the trailer, filled with explicit language, violence, and risqué jokes.
Kevin Feige shared a humorous behind-the-scenes anecdote with Variety. When a joke about “pegging” appeared in the trailer, it confused some Marvel employees.
This joke harkens back to the original Deadpool movie, where it appeared during a playful montage.
Pegging refers to a scene from the first “Deadpool” movie released in 2016. This term describes a specific sexual activity where a woman performs the act on a man. The scene in question features a humorous montage of the characters Wade Wilson (Deadpool) and Vanessa celebrating various holidays, including International Women’s Day, where Vanessa is shown to be the one performing this act on Wade.
The movie’s use of this scene was intended to be funny and align with the film’s irreverent and boundary-pushing humor.
In the new film, Deadpool, facing Time Variance Authority (TVA) agents, mentions that while pegging isn’t new to him, it is for Disney. This line, packed with Deadpool’s trademark meta-humor, had Feige explaining the punchline to his colleagues.
Feige’s experience sheds light on the cultural gap that Deadpool’s humor bridges. Marvel Studios, despite its vast array of superheroes, hadn’t ventured into such explicit territory until now. Feige’s story underscores the balancing act Marvel is performing, integrating Deadpool’s raunchy style without alienating its core audience.
In his interview, Feige mentioned,
“There’s a line in the red-band trailer — you don’t have to write this in the article, for crying out loud! — about pegging. I know what pegging is — it’s in the first Deadpool movie. But there were people I work with who didn’t know what it was. I had to explain it to them.”
This candid admission highlights the generational and perhaps cultural differences within the Marvel team.
Fans are eagerly anticipating the film, partly due to the dynamic duo of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reprising their roles. Reynolds’ Wade Wilson, known for his offbeat and adult humor, pairs perfectly with Jackman’s gruff Wolverine. The trailer promises a wild ride, complete with the kind of humor that pushes boundaries.
Deadpool & Wolverine isn’t just about jokes, though.
The film features a star-studded cast including Emma Corrin, Matthew Macfadyen, and returning favorites like Morena Baccarin and Leslie Uggams. Directed by Shawn Levy, known for his work on Free Guy and The Adam Project, the film promises to blend action and humor seamlessly.
With its release set for July 26, 2024, Deadpool & Wolverine is poised to shake up the MCU.
What do you think about Marvel’s venture into R-rated territory?
Averagebeing’s Take: Many of Kevin Feige’s colleagues at Marvel are of an older generation. They are not always familiar with the latest internet slang, such as “pegging.” These individuals are genuinely good-natured, and in explaining this term, Kevin, and we all inadvertently disrupted some of their innocence.
