by At first, I felt that the opening scene of Deadpool & Wolverine undermined Wolverine’s legacy, especially after his heartfelt farewell to Logan. However, learning about Ryan Reynolds’ creative vision behind the sequence has softened my stance. The film promised chaos, irreverence, and a heavy dose of meta-humor as these beloved Marvel characters entered the MCU—and it certainly delivered, starting with an audacious introduction.
The opening scene wastes no time making an impression. In his signature unpredictable style, Deadpool digs up Wolverine’s grave—a moment that initially felt like a blatant disregard for the emotional weight of Logan’s conclusion. He then goes a step further, wielding Wolverine’s adamantium skeleton as a weapon while fending off TVA agents in the middle of a frantic, time-hopping sequence, all set to the infectious beat of N-Sync’s “Bye, Bye, Bye.” On the surface, this moment seems almost disrespectful, but the careful craftsmanship behind it proves that Reynolds and the filmmakers understood the gravity of what they were doing. While the scene initially felt like a jab at Logan, it ultimately fits within the film’s playful, self-aware nature.
Deadpool & Wolverine’s Opening Credits Logan Skeleton Scene Was Ryan Reynolds’ Idea
The unforgettable opening credits sequence in *Deadpool & Wolverine* wasn’t just a throwaway gag—it came straight from Ryan Reynolds himself. In *Assembled: The Making of Deadpool & Wolverine*, director Shawn Levy revealed how the idea took shape and how even Reynolds was hesitant to suggest it. Levy recalled Reynolds saying, “I hate myself for the idea I’m about to pitch. I should use his body as a weapon.” Despite his initial reluctance, Reynolds presented the concept, and it quickly became one of the film’s most talked-about moments.
This behind-the-scenes insight highlights the level of self-awareness that went into crafting the sequence. Reynolds fully understood how outrageous—if not outright disrespectful—the idea might seem, given *Logan’s* emotional weight. Yet, he also knew that this brand of irreverent, boundary-pushing humor is at the heart of Deadpool’s character. By leaning into the absurdity while acknowledging its audacity, the filmmakers struck a careful balance between paying homage to Wolverine’s legacy and embracing Deadpool’s signature brand of chaos.
Reynolds’ remark about “hating himself” for pitching the Deadpool & Wolverine scene speaks volumes. It shows a keen awareness of the potential backlash from fans who see Logan as sacred territory. While the premise is undeniably absurd, the filmmakers didn’t take the moment lightly—they understood just how controversial it would be to unearth Wolverine’s grave for the sake of a joke.
That level of self-awareness is what makes the scene work. Rather than coming off as a careless gag, it acknowledges Logan’s significance by engaging with it head-on. The filmmakers weren’t dismissing Wolverine’s legacy; they were tackling the challenge of reintroducing him in a way that felt both true to Deadpool’s irreverence and respectful of what came before. Figuring out how to navigate Wolverine’s return wasn’t just a creative choice—it was a critical discussion at the heart of the film’s storytelling.
Instead of avoiding the controversy, Deadpool & Wolverine tackles it head-on. Deadpool himself even quips, “How are we gonna do this without dishonoring Logan’s memory? And I’ll tell you how. We’re not.” This line perfectly encapsulates the film’s approach—leaning into the absurdity while acknowledging the weight of Logan’s legacy.
By making the grave-digging scene both over-the-top and self-aware, the filmmakers signal that they’re fully conscious of Logan’s significance. At the same time, they stay true to Deadpool’s irreverent nature, embracing the humor and chaos that define his character. Rather than dismissing Wolverine’s past, the scene cleverly engages with it, striking a balance between satire and homage.
Why Deadpool & Wolverine Gets Away With Disrespecting Logan’s Ending
In the end, the Deadpool & Wolverine opening scene works because it’s completely in line with Deadpool’s character. As the ultimate fourth-wall-breaking antihero, he has no respect for boundaries—whether emotional, narrative, or otherwise. His utter disregard for solemnity is a key part of his humor, and using Wolverine’s skeleton as a weapon is exactly the kind of audacious gag only he could pull off. Within this context, the moment doesn’t feel like a betrayal of Logan so much as a natural extension of Deadpool’s chaotic worldview.
It’s also worth noting that Wolverine himself, as portrayed in Deadpool & Wolverine, would likely have plenty to say about the grave-robbing incident. The dynamic between Deadpool’s irreverence and Wolverine’s gruff seriousness has always been a defining element of their relationship, and this scene sets the stage for that clash in both hilarious and meaningful ways. By fully embracing Deadpool’s lack of decorum, Deadpool & Wolverine strikes a balance between comedy and respect, proving that Reynolds’ pitch wasn’t just a throwaway joke—it was a deliberate and well-crafted storytelling choice.
