Deadpool and Wolverine are about to make their epic leap into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the upcoming threequel, Deadpool & Wolverine. The film, set to be a summer blockbuster, is expected to end Fox’s X-Men universe and feature the mutants’ grand entrance to the MCU after Disney reverted its rights to Marvel Studios following the acquisition of Fox in 2019.
Though director Shawn Levy earlier claimed that there was no “prior research” needed to enjoy this film, as it was intentionally built for “entertainment,” it might still be better enjoyed by watching movies and series from two franchises.
The movie will almost certainly feature a connection to Fox and the MCU timelines.
Here are the ten movies and series to watch before Deadpool & Wolverine finally hits the big screen.
X-Men (2000)
Of course, the best way to start is to watch the first-ever live-action adventure of the mutants on the big screen in Bryan Singer’s 2000 X-Men.
It’s also the first time fans will see Hugh Jackman’s breakthrough role as Wolverine, whom he has portrayed for over twenty years.
The movie features a world where an unknown proportion of people are mutants with superhuman powers, making them feared by humans.
The story begins when the mutants Wolverine and Rogue get involved in a conflict between two mutant groups with different approaches to accepting mutant-kind: Charles Xavier / Professor X’s X-Men and Max Eisenhart / Magneto’s Brotherhood of Mutants.
This will give viewers a glimpse of how people see the X-Men and Wolverine’s place in the group.
X2: X-Men United (2003)
The X-Men’s adventure continues in X2: X-Men United.
Inspired by the graphic novel God Loves, Man Kills, the 2003 movie features the genocidal Colonel William Stryker as he leads an attack against Professor X’s school to create his own mutant-tracking computer, Cerebro, to destroy all the mutants in the universe and save the human race.
This forces the X-Men to work with Magneto’s Brotherhood of Mutants to save the mutant race. It establishes Jackman as one of the X-Men's leaders, as well as his complicated relationship with Jean Grey and his rivalry with Cyclops.
The sequel will help viewers understand Wolverine and his place within the group more.
His relationship with the X-Men may explain his behaviour in the Deadpool & Wolverine trailer.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
The first instalment in the Wolverine trilogy, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, features the titular character’s childhood when he was still known as James Howlett.
At the time, he was still part of Major William Stryker’s Team X. The movie revealed his backstory, including the bonding of his skeleton with the metal adamantium during the Weapon X program.
It also delved into his relationship with his half-brother, Victor Creed / Sabretooth.
This film saw Wolverine’s first meeting with Wade Wilson, so it's good to see their relationship back then and how it will be in the upcoming threequel.
X-Men: Days of the Future Past (2014)
Directed and co-produced by Singer himself, X-Men: Days of the Future Past focuses on two time periods: the 1970s and the present.
Here, Logan travels back to 1973 to change history and prevent an event set to destroy both humans and mutants.
With its parallels with Deadpool & Wolverine, travelling between timelines and resetting the X-Men movie timeline, Wade may be referencing this event when he says Wolverine has saved the entire universe in the trailer.
As this film showcases the high stakes and complexities of changing the timelines, seeing it again is the perfect precursor before Deadpool and Wolverine start their mission in the Multiverse.
Deadpool (2016)
Of course, as the first instalment in the Deadpool series, Tim Miller's 2016 movie continues Wade’s journey after his butchery in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. This is also an excellent introduction to Wade’s wacky and tragic world.
So, as the movie that started Deadpool’s story, this one is a must-see.
Logan (2017)
The 2017 Logan shows Wolverine in his final years, with his powers dwindling and the world moving on without mutants.
It shows Logan and Charles helping a young girl, X-23, to go to her new home. As the supposed final movie of Jackman as Wolverine before his retirement, it is meant to be the last time he dons his adamantium claws.
Deadpool & Wolverine is set to continue Wolverine’s story after this film, so fans may find out what happens between the two movies.
Deadpool 2 (2018)
Of course, this list will not be complete without Deadpool 2, which teases Wade’s collaboration with Wolverine after it reveals what kind of relationship the two have.
Deadpool has nothing but harsh words about his frenemy. Aside from that, the movie also shows the first time Deadpool messes with time travel and fixes the timeline by travelling back in time.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Featuring an ensemble cast, Avengers: Infinity War sees the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy work together to stop Thanos from gathering the six powerful Infinity Stones to kill half of all life in the universe.
The movie serves as a touchstone for understanding the essential characters and events in the MCU, culminating in the storylines and character arcs established in previous films.
As Deadpool says, “Your little cinematic universe is about to change forever,” in the Deadpool & Wolverine trailer, it hints at his transition from the X-Men timeline to the MCU.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
The mega-successful Avengers: Endgame opens the MCU’s door to the possibility of the multiverse and branches off into different timelines to bring back the fallen from Thanos’ snap in Infinity War.
A star-studded movie celebrating the decade of MCU films, it highlights some of the franchise’s iconic heroes, like Iron Man, in an established world.
Deadpool & Wolverine may finally reveal where the X-Men fits into the franchise’s timeline.
Loki Seasons 1 and 2 (2021 and 2023)
Loki Season 1 takes place after the events of Endgame and introduces the Time Variance Authority (TVA), which preserves the Sacred Timeline by preventing alternate timelines from being created.
After Loki destroys the Temporal Loom and lets the Multiverse flourish, the TVA focuses on monitoring the Multiverse and tracking down the Variants of the villain He Who Remains.
The second season tasks Loki with saving the soul of the TVA under the spotlight as he works with Mobius, Hunter B-15, and others to find Sylvie, Judge Renslayer, and Miss Minutes.
As its second instalment ends, Loki finds his glorious purpose, and the fate of the Multiverse is now in his hands.
The Deadpool & Wolverine synopsis reveals TVA's importance in its story and how it will bring Deadpool and Wolverine together for an important mission involving the Sacred Timeline.
Learning more about this organisation during the show’s two seasons is a good idea.
These films and shows serve as good starting points for fans who want to familiarise themselves with Marvel and X-Men’s cinematic history before they watch Deadpool and Wolverine.
Deadpool & Wolverine will hit theatres on July 26.
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