Sony's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Warner Bros.' Aquaman aren't the only superhero movies set to grace the silver screen this December as 20th Century Fox announced last month that they were re-releasing Deadpool 2 in theaters with an all-new PG-13 cut.
While many were quick to assume the re-release would just be the theatrical cut with tamer jokes, it sounds like the changes may be a lot more substantial than anyone might have imagined as according to screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, director David Leitch and star Ryan Reynolds have actually filmed brand new scenes for the movie.
Speaking with /Film, Wernick revealed, “We definitely shot new stuff. And recently too. After Deadpool 2 came out and we were all sitting around, we came to it less about the idea of let’s make a PG-13 movie and more, ‘Let’s talk a little bit about Deadpool.’ We were kicking around some ideas and then I think it was Ryan [Reynolds] who had the great framing device and we all got excited and went to the studio. They said, ‘Yeah, let’s do it. Fire up the cameras.’ About two months ago we were out on soundstages shooting again. Ryan was in the suit and the gang was back together, Dave Leitch and Ryan and us having a great time and laughing. It comes together great so we’re super excited about it.”
As for which other cast members returned for the additional photography, the writers are remaining mum for now, but it seems unlikely that Zazie Beetz (Domino) and Josh Brolin (Cable), who have been busy the past few months with Joker and Avengers 4 reshoots, respectively, were able to film new scenes. It's also unlikely that Stefan Kapičić returned for new Colossus scenes, due primarily to the heavy CGI nature of the character. Karan Soni (Dopinder), Morena Baccarin (Vanessa Carlysle), Brianna Hildebrand (Negasonic Teenage Warhead), Julian Dennison (Russell), Leslie Uggams (Blind Al), Terry Crews (Bedlam), Lewis Tan (Shatterstar), Bill Skarsgård (Zeitgeist) and Rob Delaney (Peter Wisdom) also featured, so it should be safe to expect at least some combination of those actors to make an appearance in the new cut.
For those worrying about the new PG-13 cut taking away the edge that made the two Deadpool films so successful, the writing duo assures fans that the re-release is going to appeal to fans of all ages. “I think it’s not only going to appeal to kids but also to people who love Deadpool. I think it’s subversive enough and fun and creative and something that only Deadpool could do. So I think it’s going to be a real joy for not only a whole new audience, but also an audience that has seen and loved the Deadpool movies.” However, while the film is being touted as an all-new experience, Reese admits that the story hasn't been altered in any significant manner. “No, not really, not appreciably. We don’t want to mislead nor do we want to spoil." Wernick adds, "As we get closer, we’ll see what the studio will let us talk about. I wouldn’t reveal too much about it because it’ll ruin the fun for the audience.”
Deadpool 2 finished its twenty-two week box office run with $734.2 million worldwide ($318.4M domestic; $415.7M foreign) and is currently the sixth-highest grossing film of the year, behind Tom Cruise's critically-acclaimed Mission: Impossible - Fallout ($791.1M). With the upcoming re-release, the film should top at least $750 million before the end of the calendar year and could potentially top $800 million if it's granted a China release date.
Additionally, while Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse shouldn't feel much heat since it's opening a week prior on December 14, Aquaman could see some of its potential opening weekend box office affected by the Deadpool 2 re-release, especially if word-of-mouth for the new cut is exceedingly positive.
After surviving a near fatal bovine attack, a disfigured cafeteria chef (Wade Wilson) struggles to fulfill his dream of becoming Mayberry’s hottest bartender while also learning to cope with his lost sense of taste. Searching to regain his spice for life, as well as a flux capacitor, Wade must battle ninjas, the yakuza, and a pack of sexually aggressive canines, as he journeys around the world to discover the importance of family, friendship, and flavor – finding a new taste for adventure and earning the coveted coffee mug title of World’s Best Lover.
Deadpool 2 features:
Director: David Leitch
Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson/Deadpool
Josh Brolin as Nathan Summers/Cable
Morena Baccarin as Vanessa Carlysle
Zazie Beetz as Neena Thurman/Domino
T.J. Miller as Weasel
Brianna Hildebrand as Ellie Phimister/Negasonic Teenage Warhead
Stefan Kapičić as Colossus
Leslie Uggams as Blind Al
Karan Soni as Dopinder
Julian Dennison as Russell
Jack Kesy as Black Tom Cassidy
Terry Crews as Jesse Aaronson/Bedlam
Lewis Tan as Gaveedra-Seven/Shatterstar
Bill Skarsgård as Zeitgeist
Rob Delaney as Peter Wisdom
Shioli Kutsuna as Yukio
Eddie Marsan as Headmaster
Fred Savage in an undisclosed role
Deadpool 2 slices and dices its way into theaters (again) on December 21