Deadpool 3 Takes Huge Inspiration From One Star Wars Movie
Deadpool 3 is perhaps one of the most anticipated superhero movies coming out in the coming years, and director Shawn Levy seems well aware of the blockbuster-level expectations. In fact, he’s taking direct inspiration from one of the biggest and most successful blockbusters of all time – Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. Levy recently penned an essay for Esquire where he revealed that his upcoming MCU film will feature an homage to a scene from George Lucas’s acclaimed film.
Shawn Levy Was Inspired By The Vader/Luke Duel In Return Of The Jedi
Deadpool 3 director Shawn Levy talked about a specific experience he had watching Return of the Jedi in theaters when Luke is hiding from Vader in the Emperor’s room. The scene will be well-remembered by Star Wars fans as the moment when Vader says, “If you will not turn to the dark side, then perhaps your sister will,” leading to Luke breaking the tension with a fierce lightsaber battle.
Levy was taken with the audience’s reaction to the scene, saying, “The way that felt: The forty seconds of stillness from the audience, then the spectacle and emotion, is seared not just in my eyeballs but in my heart.”
Deadpool 3 Features What Levy Calls A “Jedi Moment”
Levy then described what he considers the essence of a blockbuster, which he describes as a singular tone, resonant themes, a connective experience, and “when the audience is reminded that the world is far bigger than ourselves.” Levy seems fully ready to bring that blockbuster ethos to Deadpool 3, as he meticulously studied that Star Wars scene to translate it into his own film.
Levy talked about how he looked at how the scene was photographed, blocked, framed, and the pacing to inspire a key scene, telling his stunt and action team, “Guys, this is the Jedi moment.”
Shawn Levy Is Set To Direct A Star Wars Film
Connecting Deadpool 3 spiritually to Return of the Jedi likely means even more to Levy now that he is officially attached to direct a new Star Wars movie for Lucasfilm. Levy certainly has a specific vision and seems to have a pretty good understanding of what makes an epic blockbuster. Hopefully, he’ll be able to translate that to both his Marvel and Star Wars movies to bring fans something truly special.
Deadpool 3 Is Scheduled To Release Next May
Production on Deadpool 3 is currently on hold until the SAG-AFTRA strike is resolved, so it remains to be seen if it can stick to its current May 3, 2024 release date. The partially Star Wars-inspired film will be a lot of firsts for the MCU. It will be the first appearance of Deadpool in the MCU, it will be the first R-rated MCU movie, and it will be Hugh Jackman’s first appearance as Wolverine in the MCU.
Hugh Jackman Reprises His Role As Wolverine For Deadpool 3
That last tidbit is just one reason that Deadpool 3 is highly anticipated and why fans can’t wait to see it. While many thought that Jackman had hung up the claws for good after Logan, he was convinced to come back one more time to help out Ryan Reynolds’ Merc with a Mouth. It’s made all the better by the fact that one of the first images released for the film featured Jackman donning the iconic yellow comic-book suit.
Whether Deadpool 3 hits its release date or not, Shawn Levy’s excitement for the project is certainly infectious and should keep the hype train going. If he can pull off his Star Wars moment, it’ll also undoubtedly drive up hype for his Star Wars movie. We’ll keep you updated on both projects in the meantime.
