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How Deadpool 3 Could Be Rated R Under Disney, According To Writer Rhett Reese
According to writer Rhett Reese, who most recently wrote Zombieland: Double Tap, Deadpool 3 could still be rated R under Disney. Deadpool and Deadpool 2 were both released while the property was still owned by Fox. But it's since moved over to Disney with their purchase of Fox's film studio. Disney is known for being aimed towards a younger audience. Even with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Disney's kept all of the films PG-13 or under and they seem hesitant to take risks, which includes making an R-rated superhero film.
Star Ryan Reynolds led the charge to get the first Deadpool film made for many years, demanding that it be rated R; in 2016, the movie was released to great success. A sequel seemed inevitable. Tim Miller (Terminator: Dark Fate) directed the first film, but left the second film after Reynolds took on more creative control, and so David Leitch (Atomic Blonde) took his place. Deadpool 2 became the third highest-grossing R-rated film ever, proving that allowing the franchise to be rated R is worth it. Since the move to Disney, Reynolds has confirmed Deadpool 3 is in development with Marvel, but there's no announcement yet of the rating.
Reese talked about whether he thought Deadpool 3 would be rated R in a recent interview with Screen Rant about his film Zombieland: Double Tap. Reese said, "Absolutely, because I don't think it'll be under the Disney banner. Like, I don't think when you go to Deadpool 3, there's going to be a Magic Castle that appears. I think it's going to be under the Fox banner, so yes." He reiterated the same opinion on Twitter. In response to a direct tweet asking about this, he called his comment an "educated guess." Since acquiring the company, Disney has removed the Fox name from the 20th Century and Searchlight logos, so if Reese's prediction were to come true, Disney would most likely release Deadpool 3 under 20th Century Studios.
Although Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has said they will not change the Deadpool franchise, Disney most likely wants to incorporate the characters in the MCU if they can, allowing for crossover opportunities. Disney is reportedly debating whether it's possible for the character to move from R-rated solo films to PG-13 Marvel team films. The PG-13 re-release of Deadpool 3, called Once Upon A Deadpool, proved the character can be successful in a PG-13 space. If Disney thinks the jump between ratings isn't possible, then Reese is probably right, Disney will continue to release Deadpool as separate from the MCU under the 20th Century Studios banner.
Deadpool and Deadpool 2 already introduced many compelling characters, along with slyly connecting the film to the X-Men universe, which Disney also now owns. A couple fan-favorites are Negasonic Teenage Warhead and Yukio, two female superheroes who are in a relationship, which is another way the franchise may challenge Disney's current boundaries. But with the soon-to-be-released New Mutants featuring a lesbian relationship as well, it seems possible that Disney will continue in this more progressive direction. If Disney decides it's feasible for Deadpool 3 to remain rated R on its own while the character also joins other Marvel PG-13 adventures, this could open up many new possibilities for the rest of the MCU.
